Following in grandma's footsteps

Since she was a young girl, Luci Koinzan has dreamed of the moment she would be named rodeo queen.

The dream became reality, Friday, when the Neligh native was announced as Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2024.

"It's going to be a journey," she said. "I'm excited to start."

Koinzan's path to becoming rodeo royalty is dusted in the footprints of her grandmother, Sandi Stroheide Koinzan, the first Miss Clearwater Rodeo, crowned in 1976.

"I'm proud of her. It's a dream she's had," Sandy Koinzan said.

It's not the young Koinzan's first time galloping after her dream. Luci competed in the 2023 contest and found herself at a disadvantage.

"My horse didn't work with me. I had to take her home and had to borrow a horse," she said.

She used a young mare, which didn't want to work with her during the horsemanship competition. The incident did not deter Luci. She was named runner up in last year's contest.

"I wanted to try again."

On Friday, she entered the arena, this time on her gelding, feeling confident and in control.

After running patterns and taking practice runs carrying the flag and practicing the queen's wave, Koinzan prepared for the interview process, which took place at Two Bills Steakhouse.

"I'm not the best in interviews. I get nervous, but it went well."

Then, the wait for the announcement began.

When rodeo announcer Jared Slagle named the new queen, Luci said she heard her grandmother cheering from the fence.

"It's pretty special. This is where I wanted to be and here I am," Luci said.

Sandi believes Luci's dedication to honing her horsemanship skills paid off.

"It's been fun watching her develop into the young woman she is. She pushes herself and accepts the outcome," Sandi said.

According to Luci, her improvement in horsemanship skills is a credit to her trainer, Megan Knievel.

Sandi said she's noticed "a growing confidence" in her granddaughter.

"She walks into the arena and turns it on. She's always happy in the saddle."

Luci competes in 4-H horse shows, in addition to the Nebraska State Horse Show, Loup Valley Conference and Harm and Tully's shows.

A junior at Neligh-Oakdale High School, Luci is the president of the Neligh-Oakdale FFA chapter. She's also active in FBLA and is a two-time state cross country qualifier.

In the future, she would like to be a reproductive equine veterinarian.

Luci said she's looking forward to representing the Clearwater Rodeo.

"I look at this as an opportunity, so if I'm not busy, I'm going to go where I need to go," she said.