rodeo royalty
2023 SR Queen Keeley Walker
Hi, I am Keeley Walker your 2023 Senior Queen for Baker County Rodeo Court. I'm the oldest of six siblings. My parents are Ty and Ashley Walker. My family has always been one of my biggest supporters and has helped me along the way.
I will be a freshman this fall and will attend Pine Eagle High School. My goal is to become a veterinarian. I am active in FFA, Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball. In my free time, I love riding my 2 horses and gathering cows with my family. I had a fantastic experience last year on Jr Rodeo Court. This year I will ride my new horse, Copper N Rowdy aka Buck. He is a 14-year-old beautiful Buckskin gelding. I can't wait to create a bunch of memories with him while I represent the rodeos this year. I am hoping to start competing in Roping and Barrels. This year my goal is to become a better public speaker and meet as many new people as I can.
I can't wait to spend this year with three of my really close friends, Kodi Miller, MaKenna Thomas, and Ellerie Waller. They all have giant hearts and are caring and when we get together, we laugh a bunch. We will be a great team and are excited for this upcoming year. I look forward to this year and spending time with all my rodeo court families. I also want to give a big shoutout to my Court Mom Katy Thomas and Stacy Romo for guiding me and always believing in me. I'm thankful to have such an amazing support group and family.
2023 JR Queen MaKenna Thomas
Hello, my name is MaKenna Thomas, the 2023 Jr. Queen, and the daughter of Derral and Katy Thomas from Halfway Oregon. I am the oldest child with one younger sister, Kallee. As a 6th grader at Pine Eagle Charter School in Halfway Oregon, I am currently involved in the Pine Eagle basketball, volleyball, softball program, and I also show sheep and pigs in the summertime.
My family has been my biggest supporter and is always quick to jump in and volunteer their time for any rodeo function I have going on. My experience on rodeo court this past year has been amazing as I was blessed to experience it with a really close friend. Being a part of the court, I made some forever friends, and I am looking forward to all the new friends I will make this year. I love that I have the opportunity to be a positive role model to the younger youth and to be the example kids look up to. It is a big responsibility to fulfill, but it is one that I am determined to accomplish.
My goal for this year is to keep working on my public speaking as well as my horsemanship skills with my partner China. I am excited and honored to be on the Halfway Rodeo Court this year with my fellow court girls as they are amazing ladies. I'm looking forward to a great season and spending time with all my rodeo families!
2023 SR Princess Kodi Miller
Hi, I’m Kodi Miller, the Halfway Rodeo Court’s new senior princess. I am the oldest daughter of Tyler Miller and Rebecca Thorn-Miller and have two siblings, Kase and Paisley Miller. I turned 14 on the second of March. I will be starting my freshman year of high school this fall and I cannot wait. I am currently in 4-H, FFA, softball, volleyball, basketball, and junior AQHA. I cannot wait to spend this year with my best friends, Keeley Walker, Makenna Thomas, and Ellerie Waller. I have been doing rodeo since I could remember, and I am very excited to be a part of this year's court. I have learned so much already from the past court and am ready to learn even more as the year progresses. This year we combined the rodeo courts so I will be able to represent them both. I will be spending this year with my rodeo partners Ali, Annie and Yoga Pants. They are all quarter horses, but Ali is a bay where Yoga Pants is a palomino and Annie is gray. All of my fellow royalty are in all of the sports that I do, so other than spending time with them while queening, I can also spend even more time with my best friends during sports and other extracurricular activities. I am ready to spend the year of 2023 at the events that I love with my best friends.
2023 JR Princess Ellere Waller
Hi, my name is Ellere Waller and I am the 2023 junior princess for the Hells Canyon Jr. Rodeo and Baker County Fair and Rodeo court. I am 13 years old and in 7th grade at Pine Eagle Charter School. I participate in FFA, volleyball, and my favorite sport basketball. My parents are Courtney and David Waller. I have 4 young siblings, 3 brothers, and a sister. My family has helped me a lot to be able to become a junior princess. My friends and family have always been there to encourage me and help me through things that I thought were impossible.
When I first started riding I had this sassy little pony but I loved her so much. A few years ago I got a new horse that was not as nice. He would jump all over the place and wouldn’t listen but my mom helped me understand that horses can sometimes sense your emotions and that if I calmed down that he would stop being such a pain. Now he and I have a good bond and we understand each other a little better than we did. My mom encouraged me to ride him again and she has always been there when I need her to be. Now I encourage my brothers to ride and to always try again. My dad has also always told me to try again and that I can do anything.
This year I have an amazing horse that I’m starting to bond with named Cake Pop. She is a fantastic quarter horse that I love. I hope to build a strong relationship with her so we can both enjoy this summer while representing both rodeos. I believe that I can be a good representative for both courts. I also want to become a more confident rider and participate in barrel racing.
I can’t wait to spend this year with 3 of my friends, Kodi Miller, Keeley Walker, and MaKenna Thomas. They have always supported me and helped me, even though I ask too many questions. I am so happy to be on the Halfway Rodeo Court with these three amazing friends that I have.
I already love my court advisers Katy Thomas and Ashley Walker. They are really good leaders and are always understanding. They understand my personality and help answer my questions.
I will try my hardest to be the best representative for the Hells Canyon Jr. Rodeo and Baker County Fair and Rodeo. I hope to make many memories with my amazing friends, family, court advisors, and my new horse. I am very thankful to be able to be part of the Halfway Rodeo Court and hope to have an amazing year.
