UA student lassos Tucson Rodeo crown

Arizona Daily Wildcat Courtesy Christina Davis Christina Davis, animal sciences sophomore, was selected as the Tucson Rodeo Queen.

Christina Davis, animal sciences sophomore, was selected as the Tucson Rodeo Queen. She will participate in the 72nd annual rodeo at the Tucson Rodeo grounds. The event started yesterday and will run until Sunday.

Davis and four court attendants will be featured this morning in the world's largest non-motorized parade. She was an attendant in last year's rodeo court.

Davis has been riding horses and watching parades since the age of 4. Her family owns a 120-acre ranch in Three Points that is home to pigs, sheep and 22 horses.

"Dad always had me out on horse rides with guests, so this is second nature to me," Davis said.

Davis will be riding her 7-year-old horse Dandy in the parade.

"I've been trying to get him used to loud noises and people. He likes the parade - it's attention," she said.

The Tucson Rodeo Queen title was established in 1925 by the University of Arizona polo team. When the competition was established, the queen did not have to know anything about horses or rodeo, Davis said.

Now, the rodeo queen is expected to educate people about rodeo, said Margie Champie, court coordinator for the Tucson Rodeo.

Davis will travel to schools to speak during her reign.

Last week, Davis and her court read to Grijalva Elementary School for the Love of Reading Week, Champie said.

Davis and her court will also participate in rodeo events such as the Queen's Run, a high-speed horse ride around the arena.

Davis said rodeos started on ranches in the Midwest as a Sunday afternoon event.

"I know right now that my favorite part (of the rodeo) is seeing the looks on kids' faces. They really get a kick out of it," she said.

By 1932, the competition had grown beyond the control of the Polo Club, so the program was taken over by the Tucson Rodeo, Davis said.

Today, the Tucson Rodeo will have competitions in bull riding and steer wrestling.

The selection process for Tucson Rodeo Queen began in January of this year. All 18- to 28-year-olds who are interested in rodeo can apply, Davis said.

Five judges chose Davis for her abilities in horsemanship, public speaking and knowledge of rodeo, said Joan Liess, publicity director for the Tucson Rodeo.

Davis received many rodeo gifts, such as a saddle, bridle and spurs.

"Christina is an outstanding student as well as public speaker. She's a really good people person. She's really dedicated to the UA and the College of Agriculture," Champie said.

Davis plans to apply for Miss Rodeo Arizona after her duties as Tucson Rodeo Queen expire in January 1998.