Rodeo royalty hopefuls visited the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Director’s Lounge on Sunday for insight on what it takes to wear the crown.
Hosted each year before applications close for the annual MHES Queen competition, the event offers tips and tricks on how to shine during each segment of competition week.
“Royalty Boot Camp is basically just a way to get to know our contestants or potential contestants, and give them a little bit of inside info on what they’re going to be experiencing throughout the competition,” said MHES Queen Mila Stuut.
Both the current Queen and Princess and alumni from years past gathered to share various advice for contestants, not only for competition week, but also to help the lucky winner throughout her year.
Stuut expressed bittersweet emotions at the realization she and MHES Princess Joleigh Wood have only a few more months as reigning royalty before they will be handing off the title to the winning contestant, but that it has been an incredible experience thus far.
“It’s surreal to think only a year ago I was the one receiving this advice, and now I’m giving it,” said Wood. “I know that boot camp helped me a huge amount and just preparing and feeling more confident going into everything, and I genuinely think that boot camp is going to help these girls if they do choose to move forward.”
One of the potential applicants, Grace Sippola, said the event was helpful in boosting her confidence and helping her make a decision in regards to whether to run.
“My mom had wanted me to run about three years back, for Alberta High School Rodeo Queen, and I just figured I wasn’t mature enough. Now the opportunity has come around, and Joleigh has been trying to convince me for a while now,” said Sippola. “The past couple weeks, it’s really been coming into consideration.”
The sentiment was echoed by another potential contestant, Peyton Booker, who said between encouragement from Wood and former MHES Princess Charlatan Sandford and a lifelong love of horses and Western lifestyle, she feels compelled to come and test the waters.
“I’ve learned a lot about how to conquer my fears in public speaking since I have a great fear of that, but I feel like some of the tricks and tips today are going to be super helpful,” said Booker.
“I’ve witnessed and been through my friends’ accomplishments that they’ve achieved through this, how changed and shaped them into the people that they become, how they’ve learned and grown. I feel like that would definitely be something I’d be interested in experiencing myself.”
Applications close for the 2026 Competition at 5 p.m. on April 30. Those interested in competing are encouraged to visit mhstampede.com/rodeo-royalty. The community is also encouraged to come out and support the girls during the horsemanship, public speaking and fashion show components, which will take place July 9, 10 and 11.By Anna Smith, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Apr 21, 2026 at 11:20
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