Four vie to take rodeo queen reins

Four individuals will vie for the title of Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2020 during Friday's opening evening of rodeo competition. The winner will reign over the 53rd annual event, scheduled for Friday through Sunday, July 10 to 12.

Taylor Bolling, of Clearwater; Josey Booth, Neligh; Morgan Erhardt, Orchard and Brooke Lehr, of Columbus, will be judged in horsemanship, congeniality and appearance categories.

Prior to Friday's 7:30 p.m. rodeo opening, awards for all categories will be announced, in addition to naming of the new queen and runner-up.

Interviews are slated for Friday afternoon.

The queen contest is sponsored by Hi-Way Mart, Clearwater; Boss Cow Creations - Jess Clark, Neligh; Ranch-Land Western Store, Ainsworth; Faith Regional Physician Services, LLC, Tilden and Neligh; The Razor's Edge, Neligh; The Tilden Bank - Clearwater branch; Kimberly's Photography, Neligh and Renegade Work, Western and Weekend, Norfolk.

Taylor Bolling, is the 18-year-old daughter of Nathan and Cassie Bolling, of Clearwater.

The 2020 Clearwater Public Schools graduate said she would be happy to represent her hometown as Miss Clearwater Rodeo across Nebraska.

"Growing up in Clearwater gave me the opportunity to attend the rodeo every year," she said. "I can remember being that little girl sitting in the stands, watching queens in their shiny outfits."

Bolling has been riding since age 11 and has participated in horse shows for seven years, including six years as an active 4-H member. She has qualified for the state 4-H show for two years, competing in English, western, showmanship, trail, breakaway roping, working ranch horse, barrels and poles. Bolling was named Outstanding 4-Her for Antelope County last year.

In 2019, Bolling was named 2020 Rodeo Champs of America Nebraska Teen Miss. She has met many young girls who ask Bolling to teach them to ride a horse.

"A lot of local-area little girls come up to me and say they want to be a rodeo queen," she said.

In high school, Bolling participated in art, choir, one-act, SkillsUSA and quiz bowl.

She is an active member of the Boots and Saddle Club, of O'Neill.

Bolling will attend Northeast Community College in the fall.

JOSEY BOOTH will be a junior at Neligh-Oakdale Public School.

She said she would like an opportunity to serve as Clearwater's rodeo queen "because I would love the chance to represent and give back to the sport that has given me so much."

Being a rodeo queen has been a dream of Booth's.

"After all the tough things we have been through this year, I would love to be able to help spread light and positivity in this way," she said.

According to Booth, the title offers an opportunity to be a role model to younger participants.

Booth began riding when she was four. Her horse, Little Blue, has been her best friend.

She is a member of Boots and Saddle Club, in O'Neill and 4-H, where she competes in barrels, poles, breakaway and working cow horse.

"I am now starting to give riding lessons to new riders," she said.

After purchasing a yearling colt three years ago, Booth has trained with the assistance of a professional trainer.

"Training horses is something I have found very enjoyable and something I want to continue doing in the future," she said.

In school, Booth participates in volleyball, one-act, choir, National Honor Society and FFA. She was awarded the Star Green Hand Award in FFA as a freshman.

After graduating in 2022, Booth hopes to join the Nebraska Army National Guard and attend Northeast Community College.

"I hope to come back to Neligh and help build our family feedlot with my dad," Booth said. "My dad has had a big impact in my rodeo and work life and has helped me to figure out what I want in the future."

Booth is the daughter of Matt and Tracy Booth.

MORGAN ERHARDT, 17, is the daughter of Lyle and Twyla Erhardt, of Orchard.

She will be a senior at Summerland Public Schools - Clearwater, where she is involved in multiple activities, including choir, one-act, SkillsUSA, student council, cross country, wrestling, track, National Honor Society and FFA.

She served as president of the Clearwater-Orchard FFA chapter for 2019-2020 and will fill the same role for the Summerland chapter for the 2020-2021 school year.

Erhardt has won FFA awards in a variety of events, including dairy production, ag mechanics, equine science entrepreneurship, star chapter degree and chapter star placement.

Erhardt's passion for rodeo and horses developed from one of her strongest supporters, her father, who had a rodeo career as a saddle bronc rider and team roper.

Erhardt is an active member of the Mid-States Rodeo Association, competing in barrel racing for three years.

Additionally, she belongs to the Nebraska 4D Barrel Race Association, qualifying for the Nebraska state finals.

"As a member of the 4D association, I have qualified for the state finals the past two years on a horse I trained," Erhardt said.

Additionally, Erhardt is captain of the Antelope County Equestrian Drill Team.

In 4-H, Erhardt has competed in nearly every horsemanship event, excelling in pole bending, barrel racing and working stock.

She was part of the champion team penning youth team at the 2019 Antelope County Fair.

Also known as Private Erhardt, she has enlisted in the National Guard and proudly serves active duty as a CBRN - chemical, biological, radiological nuclear - specialist.

She also plans to attend college and earn a doctorate in veterinary medicine, specializing in equine, while continuing her military training.

Erhardt said since she was young, she knew she wanted to be Miss Clearwater Rodeo.

"I was instantly drawn to every aspect of rodeo, including the sense of camaraderie. It would be more than an honor to represent my hometown and promote the amazing sport of rodeo," she said.

BROOKE LEHR attends Central Catholic High School in Columbus, where she competes in volleyball, basketball and track.

Lehr grew up working on her family farm, ranch and feedlot, while competing in various horse competitions. She is a member of 4-H, the National Barrel Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association and the Nebraska Foundation Quarter Horse Association.

Following graduation, Lehr will attend college, with goals to pursue a career as a lawyer, where she plans to represent the agriculture sector.

Lehr would like to invite everyone to attend the Clearwater Rodeo and enjoy the greatest sport on dirt - rodeo.

She is the daughter of Lance and Joan Lehr.