WAITSBURG – Rebecca Holderman says she is enjoying her first time serving on a royalty court and representing Waitsburg as the 2019 Celebration Days Queen. Holderman has been promoting Waitsburg and Celebration Days since December but will officially take the crown from reigning Queen Makenna Barron at the 2019 Queen's Coronation Fundraising Dinner on Feb. 22 at Waitsburg Town Hall.

Holderman lives in the country outside Milton-Freewater with her parents, Brent and Kim Holderman, and her three siblings. Holderman but has ties to Waitsburg and says she has always loved the town. She competed for years at the Waitsburg Junior Livestock Show and has regularly visited for events such as Waitsburg Celebration Days. Last year, she served as flag bearer for Queen Makenna Barron. Rebecca's mother's family owned Route 5 Racing out of Walla Walla and raced regularly at the former Days of Real Sport.

Holderman is currently a freshman at Walla Walla Community College where she is studying farrier science. She had planned to attend two years, but that program is being cut after this year. Holderman is hopeful that she has learned enough to intern over the summer. She then plans to work and save money to attend Washington State University where she will take their veterinary technician program.

Holderman said she was a late bloomer when it comes to riding.

"I have not been riding horses as long as most girls who join courts. I started riding when I was about 10," she said.

The Holderman's currently have seven horses, and she rode different horses over the years. Holderman started out riding a rescue horse in the Thundering Hoofbeats 4-H group.

"I only did showmanship because I was a pretty nervous rider starting out," she said.

Holderman gained confidence riding in the Pioneer Posse mini series and summer series, where she is in her fourth year. Her family also leads the Western Stars 4-H group, where Holderman is in her second term as president. Holderman also raises and breeds rabbits which she shows at a professional level all across the northwest.

Holderman's court horse is a 15-year-old, dark bay thoroughbred named Anna (Anna Banana). Holderman said Anna, who came from the Oregon Coast, was trained to run, but never actually ran the track.

Holderman was the sole applicant for 2019 Celebration Days Queen but said she had to complete the full tryout which consisted of riding a reigning pattern and a Queen run, followed by a speech topic.

"I wanted to be on court because I like the fact that I can represent something or someone and can share my horse experience and how I've grown through horses," Holderman said.

The main parade season runs from April through September, but Holderman got off to a quick start in December when she attended four parades in a week: Dayton's Christmas Kickoff, Waitsburg's Hometown Christmas, and Walla Walla and Milton-Freewater's Christmas parades.

Holderman represented Waitsburg at the Pioneer Posse coronation last month and at the Miss Oregon Rodeo coronation at Wildhorse, last weekend. Her next event will be her coronation fundraiser in Waitsburg on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. Funds from the event will help cover travel costs and pay for her outfit.

Holderman said they haven't started outfit-shopping yet, but she has had the unique experience of making her own chaps.

"I do part-time work for Kathy Hassler who does professional leather work and she asked if making my own was something I would like to do and I was glad to take the opportunity," she said.

They picked out leather for the red, black and turquoise chaps at the Pendleton leather show and Holderman is learning to stitch them together.

Court Advisor Beka (Adams) Compton, said that she and her mother, Ann Adams, who previously served as advisor, have agreed that it is important to retain Cardinal red as part of the Queen's outfit.

Compton was Waitsburg's last Days of Real Sport Queen and says she is enjoying her role as court advisor.

"I serve as a point-of-contact, help guide the queen through the events, help with outfitting, and serve as a middleman between the board of directors and the royalty," she said.

"It's fun being on the advisor end of things now. I didn't realize how many unique opportunities each girl brings to the court and brings to the community. With Rebecca being from out of town she has a lot of outside reaches that we have never had before," Comptom said.

Holderman has worked hard to bring in silent auction items and has even made some items herself. She built a gun rack and a large mirror, both covered in hair-on cowhide.

Donations are welcome from community members or businesses who would like to donate to the silent auction or donate baked goods to the dessert auction.

"I know there is a lot of baking talent out there if anyone would like to donate to the dessert auction," Compton said with a smile.

Courtesy Photo

2019 Waitsburg Celebration Days Queen Rebecca Holderman is pleased to represent Waitsburg. Here she poses with the Waitsburg entry sign.

Tickets to the Waitsburg Celebration Days Royalty Coronation Dinner are $10/person or $15/couple and can be purchased from through Eventbrite.com or at the door.