CALDWELL — For probably the only time in the 74-year history of the Caldwell Rodeo, there will be no rodeo queen contest and no queen, but it’s expected to return next year.

A decision was made by Caldwell Night Rodeo officials to cancel the contest this year after only one person qualified to compete for the crown. The competition should come back next year, contest director Mike Austin said. But the loss of the decades-old tradition for this summer leaves some people saddened and wondering why more girls don’t try out for the competition.

“I’m kind of shocked,” Huston state senator and former Caldwell and Idaho rodeo queen Patti Anne Lodge said when told about the contest cancellation.

“It’s preserving the Western culture,” Lodge said. “The  Western way of life is what queen competitions are all about. That’s part of our heritage here in Canyon County ... We can’t let it go by.”

Several factors may contribute to the waning interest.

Cost is a big reason; some contestants spend several thousand dollars to compete. Contestants, ages 18 to 23, usually wear several different expensive outfits during the competition. They also may buy new tack. And the winning young woman travels all over the state to different rodeos, which is getting more expensive with high gas prices.

In recent years the number of young women who compete for the title has dropped from  10 to 12 a few years ago to four last year. When Lodge competed in the contest decades ago, there were more than 20 contestants.

Rodeo officials moved the contest to June this year to try to get more contestants. Moving the contest could get more girls in the competition because standing queens cannot enter the Caldwell contest. Having the contest in June could also ensure contestants still have the funds to compete.

2007 Caldwell Night Rodeo queen and 2008 Miss Rodeo Idaho Natalie Bish of Nampa is surprised that the contest won’t be held this year. But she’s confident the CNR leadership will come back with a strong field next year.

“It’s such a great opportunity to represent that rodeo, and not having a queen is a shocker,” Bish said.

Lodge once served as the queen contest director. She said the rodeo may get more queen contestants if it made more of an effort to recruit.

“Nowadays you have to advertise,” Lodge said. “If you want kids to turn out for things, they have to know about it.”