As I sat perched high in the seats at the east end of the coliseum Sunday night during the Congress Queen ceremony, I had a lot on my mind. Actually, I was pleased that the arena was dark because it allowed me to slouch down in my chair and privately contemplate the first 18 years of my life. As I watched the beautiful queen candidates sachet down the runway in their gorgeous gowns, it took me back to a time in my life when I actually dreamed of being Miss America instead of Miss AQHYA President. I know, that sounds corny, right?

As the lovely Miss Brittany Barker accepted her crown as the 2010 Congress Queen, I had a little secret of my own. That same day, I was actually crowned Miss Rodeo Ohio, USA during Congress. As Brittany cried tears of joy, I quietly had a little moment of my own slumped down in my dark seat. As a longtime friend, I was not only happy for her, but I could relate to her happiness.

With my first major horse “pageant” title secured, I turned my attention to the Congress Queen program. Since my amazing OQHA youth advisor is also the director of the Congress Queen Team, I have always respected that the Congress Queen program was not just about the prizes, pomp and circumstance. If Kelli Diaz was involved – I knew there had to be a lot of substance. After getting very little sleep Sunday, I traded my Miss Rodeo Ohio Queen crown for my GoHorseShow.com hat Monday and set out to see just what the path to Congress Queen entails.

My first stop was an interview with the fabulous Brittany Barker. Brittany and I have quite a history together, so I was filled with emotion for her big win! The first time Brittany and I actually met, was when my mother and I hauled solo for the 2003 Rookie of the Year title in my age group. One of our first stops was Gordyville with our little three horse living quarters and our big, pushy halter gelding. I knew my Mom was nervous without my Dad in tow. In typical Gordyville fashion, there was plenty of snow awaiting us in Illinois that fateful winter day. If my Mom tried to back the trailer once into our camping spot, she tried 1000 times. I was never so relieved when a pretty face appeared in my Mom’s driver’s window, asking if she could help my Mom back the trailer. The youth was Brittany Barker.

With the skill of a CDL licensed driver, young Brittany backed our Sooner in the spot in the blink of an eye. My Mom was spared a nervous breakdown, and I knew this girl and I would become instant friends. BB was my new hero. Show after show, Brittany would appear out of nowhere to help my Mom who still can’t back a trailer to this day. That girl rocked! When she was my age, she was driving a trailer the size of a semi and hauling her fabulous gray gelding, Kay Cee Me Now, alone all over the country. She put over 700 points on that horse and was crowned AQHA World Champion in Amateur Western Riding in 2004. She is still an amazing role model to me. After losing her father tragically at an early age, Brittany’s mother taught her capable daughter the importance being independent as a survival tool.

Her life skills of confidence, hard work and independence have made Brittany a force to be reckoned with for years as a horseshow competitor. Inspired by her ability to do the training, the driving, the preparation and showing by herself, I was not surprised that she rocked the rulebook test and horsemanship for first place wins on her road to becoming Queen. Fresh off her victory from the night before, Brittany said the road was paved with hard work, and perseverance, tools she credits learning from her single Mom (pictured here with Brittany). When I asked her stoic mother how proud she was of her daughter, Brittany’s Mom broke down in an uncharacteristic river of tears. This mother and daughter teams’ journey together had culminated into a joyous and memorable moment which was one of the most touching displays I have ever witnessed. It reminded me of my Mom when I was voted AQHYA President and we both had a good cry together.

Brittany’s advice to young ladies aspiring to the crown? “Work Hard” – plain and simple. Kelli Diaz is the first to point out that the AQHA rulebook test is what foils most candidates’ chances of winning the crown. With a perception that the most important element is the horsemanship pattern, Kelli is quick to suggest that girls need to “study, study, study.” Armed with over 1500 flashcards and recordings to aid in her tutoring, Brittany started her self-tutoring a year in advance, bound and determined to ace the written exam. Kelli emphasized – “This ain’t no beauty pageant” (LOL)! Congress queens need to be likable, smart, outgoing, compassionate, and believe in the cause!

The cause is amazing, and Queen Candidates must be passionate about philanthropy and giving back. Each candidate is required to sell 150 raffle tickets prior to arriving at Congress with proceeds to benefit the Shirley Bowman Cancer foundation. Shirley is the late sister of the beloved Shorty Koger, owner of the popular Shorty’s Caboy Hattery. A unique approach of the Shirley Bowman foundation is that it raises money to support patients struggling to beat cancer through awareness and nutrition. This differs from raising money for research which had a lot of appeal to Brittany. To date, Brittany and the other queen candidates have sold $20,000 in raffle ticket sales alone.

The challenge is still overwhelming. With a goal of $60,000 this year, the Congress Queen team is hoping that the live auction on Master’s night will help them with their financial challenge to help cancer patients. With seven amazing items showcased at the live auction they have termed "Couture for a Cure", Kelly is hopeful that the goal will be met in this challenging economy. How can you help? Why, bid of course! 

Click here to view a slide show of all of the items being auctioned at Couture for a Cure.

The lucky seven items include a one of a kind bling show shirt by Congress Queen sponsor extraordinaire, Berry Fit; a pair of three dimensional “ribbon” motif black and pink patent leather boots by Babs at LaGrange; a special “pink” Schneider’s trophy jacket representing the quest for the cure (I'm wearing it here with OQHA youth advisor, Kelli Diaz); a magnificent western ladies black and pink hat by Shorty’s Caboy Hattery (modeled by Brittany, above); a sterling silver pendant encrusted with pink sapphires and diamonds by SR Gold; a red, white and blue unique golf cart donated by the Salopek family; and my favorite – a breeding to the out of this world hunt seat stallion Hot Ones Only who, of course, is a GoHorseShow.com sponsor!!!!!

Join Kelli, and Brittany along with the out of this world sponsors for the excitement on Masters night following the introduction of the hunt seat riders. Please…bring your generosity, smiles and checkbooks! I’ll be there to help cover the festivities and cheer on this outstanding cause. Can’t wait to see y’all there! For those I haven’t met personally, I’ll be the one with stars in my eyes as I aspire to become a future Congress Queen. Armed with my interview details, I totally respect that becoming Queen isn’t about the beauty. I did learn however that a “little” knowledge of beauty does come in handy. When my dear friend the newly crowned Queen, had an “eyelash moment” before a presentation, who but Moi would have had the skill to artfully glue that baby back on in an instant? Sort of like the way Brittany backs a trailer!

Xoxo Dakota

p.s. I'm going to let you in on one little Dakota secret. Before I ever became serious about horses and showing, I could be seen on many given Sundays at a mall near you, parading in my hula skirts and “fun wear” as I hauled for my first serious title – Miss Hawaiian Tropic. Call it a bad episode of Little Miss Perfect, but it’s how I got my start. Although the horses thankfully became my priority, it might sound sappy to admit that I actually enjoyed pageant life. OK, I’m not ‘gonna lie - I LOVED IT. So here's to all the future Queens out there! May we all be as beautiful, smart and talented as Brittany!