The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - Eleven-year-old Elsie Mann has had a fun summer filled with new experiences while representing Columbia County as the 2017 Jackpot Rodeo Queen. Mann, daughter of Jeni Richie and Chris Mann, said she is excited to be in the arena during Dayton's Jackpot Rodeo on Sat., Sept. 9.

While many of her summer experiences – such as speaking in front of crowds – have been new, riding in the Columbia County Fairgrounds arena is not. Mann began competing in leadline barrel racing when she was just three- or four-years-old. Since then she has taken home the first-place buckle three times, she said.

Mann rides her quarterhorse Kaysee in rodeos, but uses her paint, Max, in parades.

"He's calmer and Kaysee is a little jacked up," Richie said.

Richie said she was encouraged to enter Mann in the Junior Miss Rodeo Washington pageant, but felt the time commitment required of royalty was too much for their family. When Columbia County Jackpot Rodeo advisor Kari Newman asked Mann to be Jackpot Rodeo Queen, mom and daughter were both thrilled.

"She's only 11. This gives her the opportunity to gain experience while still being a kid," Richie said.

Elsie said she is having "lots of fun" representing Dayton and her hometown rodeo at parades, run-ins, and luncheons. She wrote and memorized a speech that she gives at royalty luncheons and even has a short prayer memorized in case she is asked to bless a meal. Mann said she had not previously done any public speaking and was quite shy.

"It's been fun to watch her growth, as a mom," Richie said.

Mann said the best part of being Jackpot Rodeo Queen is riding in parades. "I like parades because I get to wave at people and all the little girls are running around, waving at me and pointing at my horse and my outfit. It's so cool!' Mann said.

And her outfit is pretty special. The fair board selected the colors, but Mann was able to choose her patriotic shirt and chaps. Her chaps were custom made by Holly Jones of Walla Walla, who designed them specifically to match her shirt and went out of her way to accommodate the fair's tight budget, Richie said.

"We've had so many people jump in with help and support. Elsie broke her arm early on and Brian Callahan arranged for her to ride on a fire truck during the Waitsburg Celebration Days parade, which was her first event, since she couldn't ride her horse. Aileen Warren made her serape and floral arrangement, Shane Laib helped entered her in parades, and Donna Hanger reworked the sleeve in her custom-made shirt once her cast was removed," Richie said.

Mann is keeping plenty busy fulfilling her royalty duties these days. She was in Milton-Freewater last weekend and will attend royalty night for the Benton-Franklin County rodeo on Friday. On Saturday, she will be at the Walla Walla's Downtown Farmer's Market for County Fair Kid's Day and she'll be in the Walla Walla for the Fair & Frontier Days parade, queen's luncheon and a run-in on Sept. 2.

The following weekend she will be in the Dayton rodeo arena where she will ride in the Grand Entry, help push cattle, and throw prizes to fans in the stands. She will also help with a BBQ luncheon for visiting royalty and fair workers.

When Mann is not on-duty, she will be busy showing her own steer, and will ride in the barrel racing competition.

"It's been a really fun experience," Mann said.