Australia's new rodeo queen wants to keep using her platform to inspire other women, mothers and young families to get involved in the sport and community of rodeo.
Mother-of-three Lana Jones, who hails from Wauchope on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, decided to join the Australian Rodeo Queen Quest in March last year.
"I was sitting in a hospital bed after I had my youngest bub and saw a Facebook post asking people to sign up for the competition," she said.
"I didn't want to regret missing the opportunity and it's my last year to give it a shot."
The not-for-profit contest was created almost 30 years ago to promote and encourage young women from all over Australia into the heritage sport of rodeo.
Ms Jones said the year in which she competed was unlike any other.
"I joined right when COVID-19 flared up," she said.
"We have to do a fundraising leg [of the competition] ... which I had to do mostly over social media."
Ms Jones said finalists ordinarily spend a week in Queensland, where judging takes place to choose the next queen. But even that event had to be held online.
"We had to video ourselves doing everything that we would have done during that judging week and send it in for the judges," she said.
Juggling kids, work and a national comp
Ms Jones said while doing the online competition was challenging, she found it helped balance competing and being a working mum.
"Being online has been my godsend I think because I do have three kids under six, so it's full-on," she said.
Ms Jones said after she had kids, she took a step back from rodeo to be with her family.
When she was ready to get back into it, she found the transition was not easy.
"Trying to get back in the industry has been a bit tricky; you're more cautious because you have got kids and you don't want to get hurt," she said
"I want to promote young families to give it a go and don't let anything stop you because you think you can't do it."
Horsemanship is in her blood
Ms Jones grew up on a farm at Rollands Plains with parents who were heavily involved in the show circuit.
"My dad rode bulls and broncs and my mum evented and did pony clubs when she was younger," she said.
Ms Jones said her mum was a big inspiration to her growing up.
"I think rodeo is a bit more dominated by males because it's a rough sport, but there are plenty of amazing women that compete and are involved," she said.
"My parents encouraged me to get into it and I've showed horses pretty much my entire life."
Ms Jones will head overseas next year to attend the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Canada and Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in the US.
