On Nov. 9 MaKayla Wald, Athena Neville, and Michaela Lantzy will compete to be crowned Miss 2014 Appleatchee Riders Queen after a competition at Appleatchee.

The competition includes a given pattern ridden on their own horse, a given pattern ridden on another competitor’s horse, a personal interview, a speech, Appleatchee history questioning, equine health questions, and personal questions.

The winner will spend her year of reign helping at Appleatchee events, handing out awards, presenting the American flag, traveling around Washington with her horse to participate in parades and rodeos around the state, and doing whatever she can to promote and represent Appleatchee to the best of her ability.

Among the contestants is Wenatchee High School junior Wald. “I was introduced to horses when I was little, every time my mom put me on one I screamed and grabbed the saddle horn when she tried to take me off. I started riding when I was about 10 and went to barrel races in Enumclaw with one of my friends until I moved here,” said Wald.

Wald moved to Wenatchee from Seattle when she was 14 and knew she wanted to run for Appleatchee Queen as soon as she found out about it. A competitor has to be 16 to run, so she had a long wait leading up to this moment.

Wald looks forward to parades and rodeos, but knows it’s not all fun. “I think [a lot of people] think it’s mostly fun and it doesn’t take effort or time,” said Wald. “It actually is a lot of work.” Wald is ready to take on the responsibility.

WHS graduate Neville is also competing for the crown. Neville has been riding since she was young and has spent a lot of time at Appleatchee. “I decided to run because Appleatchee has been a huge part of my life through most of my horse activities. I love the facility and the people who are there. I want to give back to them and represent them through traveling as Miss Appleatchee,” said Neville.

Also competing is Eastmont High School junior Lantzy. “I’ve been riding horses at Appleatchee since I was 8, and I can remember all the times seeing the Appleatchee Queen in the Apple Blossom parade, so I made it a future ambition of mine to be queen someday, like those girls,” said Lantzy. After watching from the sidelines for many years, Lantzy hopes to be in the saddle during the parade this year.

These girls will be working hard up to the last day to prepare for the competition and earn themselves a crown.