NAMPA — The 55th annual Miss Rodeo Idaho contest may be short on quantity, but it certainly doesn't lack quality.

Held in conjunction with the Snake River Stampede (SRS), this year's pageant is held over six days, July 10-15. The coronation of the new Miss Rodeo Idaho 2010 takes place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, at the "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" performance of the SRS Rodeo.

"Though small in numbers, the quality of these three contestants is very high caliber," pageant coordinator Stephanie Hall said.

This year's three contestants are Measha Gittins of North Dayton, home of the famous Preston Night Rodeo; Cambria Huddleston of Lewiston; and Sarah Pierson of Gooding.

The trio will compete in a variety of judged events throughout the six days of competition including two personal interviews, two horsemanship go-arounds, horsemanship interview, a written test, a prepared speech, modeling, personality and media interviews. They will make an appearance at the Rodeo Kick-off Luncheon and Fashion Show next Tuesday at the Nampa Civic Center, the  Kids Stick Horse Rodeo this Friday and Snake River Dayz Pancake Breakfast Saturday, along with Sunday's horsemanship competition at the Idaho Center. Monday they will be at the Meridian Rotary Club at 11:30 a.m. for the MRI speech competition. Tickets to that event at $10. The competition also features an appearance in the famous nonmotorized Snake River Dayz Parade and a featured appearance at the nationally-ranked PRCA Snake River Stampede rodeo.

A reception for the new Miss Rodeo Idaho and all of the contestants follows the coronation Wednesday at the Idaho Horse Park Sports Arena lobby.

Sandpoint native Freya Ford, Miss Rodeo Idaho 2009, will be on hand to crown this year's winner. Freya has spent her reign promoting education among elementary school children, meeting dignitaries, rodeo professionals and elected officials around the country.

Winners of the Miss Rodeo Idaho contest travel to state and country events promoting Idaho and Idaho's western heritage. Miss Rodeo Idaho also participates in Miss Rodeo America at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev. The 2010 Miss Rodeo Idaho will begin her reign in January, 2010. Each of this year's contestants will receive a college scholarship and an array of gifts including jewelry, photo sessions, flowers and more. The new Miss Rodeo Idaho also receives a trophy saddle, one-year use of a three-horse gooseneck trailer, trophy buckle, chaps, bit and boots along with a host of other items.

Miss Rodeo Idaho contestants

Measha Gittins, North Dayton

Measha of North Dayton already has several queen titles under her belt and she doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon. Measha feels that the position of Miss Rodeo Idaho is important because "it is vital to keep alive the Western heritage and American Spirit." A strong supporter of the western way of life, Measha participates as much as she can.

Before she was even old enough to participate, Measha dreamed of joining the rodeo excitement as she watched her brother and sister compete. Once her time came, she didn't hesitate and competed in events such as the 8th District High School Rodeo, the State Finals Rodeo and the Silver State Rodeo in Fallon, Nev.

A 2009 graduate of West Side High School, Measha plans to continue her education by attending the College of Southern Idaho in the fall to begin working toward a nursing degree. Not surprisingly, her favorite activity is riding her horse into the mountains among the trees during the summer to ponder life and enjoy the beauty that hides behind every turn.

Measha says that if given a chance to be Miss Rodeo Idaho, she will "proudly educate the public about the western way of life, endured by those so dedicated to this lifestyle. I would like to influence children toward daring to dream and pass on the gifts that our western heritage has to offer. The western way of life is a place where within our dreams and aspirations we find some of the greatest opportunities."

Cambria Huddleston, Lewiston

Cambria, 21, has been around horses all her life and is no stranger to rodeos. Since 1997 she has been a queen, princess, flag carrier and riding instructor. In 2006 she graduated from Timberline High School in Weippe and went on to complete training at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center to become a pharmaceutical technician. She plans to further her education at a four-year college and pursue a degree in public relations.

Cambria is so passionate about rodeo that she has dreamed and worked toward becoming Miss Rodeo Idaho since she was 15. "I love everything about the sport of rodeo and its heritage, from the smell, the sound of the  announcer, the dedication of the contestants and the enthusiasm of the spectators." Her passion for rodeo stems from her love of the western lifestyle and what it represents. Given the opportunity to be Miss Rodeo Idaho Cambria says she would use it as a way to "promote the great State of Idaho and the sport of rodeo." Even more importantly, she would feel "privileged to be a role model to other young women and girls that have a similar dream."

Sarah Pierson, Gooding

Sarah, 22, is an Idaho native who has been involved with rodeo pageants for many years. She held the title of Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho in 2006. When not involved with pageants and rodeos, Sarah energetically pursues her nursing degree at Gonzaga University where she is president of the Gonzaga Student Nurses' Association.

Even with such a hectic college schedule, Sarah's passions for the western lifestyle and love for horses is always present. In her spare time she jumps at the chance to get on her horse and go for a ride, evoking fond memories from years past when she was a young 4-H member showing her horses every fall. She can also be found volunteering at Holy Family Hospital or passing her knowledge on to young girls as they prepare for local queen contests.

If given the chance to be Miss Rodeo Idaho, Sarah would proudly represent Idaho and the Snake River Stampede board, always demonstrating and trying to pass on to the youth the values she calls the "keys to the door of life" — values she learned herself by working hard and setting goals in the  arena: "Respect, dignity, horsemanship, responsibility, teamwork, honesty and prosperity."

- See the complete Snake River Stampede program in Sunday's paper.

Dancing with the Stars ... Stampede style!

NAMPA — With a tip of a 10 gallon Stetson to World All Around Rodeo champ Ty Murray, this year's Rodeo Kick-off Luncheon takes on a "Dancing with the Stars" flavor to it.

Murray, the fan-favorite surprise underdog in this past season's "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC, strutted his stuff right into the championship finals. Next Tuesday five area celebrities and their professional dance partners will put on their own version of "Dancing with the Stars ... Stampede Style!" as part of the luncheon festivities. They will hoof and trot their way to fame (or infamy) as part of the popular mid-day event that takes place at the Nampa Civic Center.

"Fans of Ty's amazing run to the finals of Dancing with the Stars are going to really enjoy what we have planned," Miss Rodeo Idaho pageant director Stephanie Hall said. "We thought our own version of the show would be a great way to showcase some of our real-life cowboys and cowgirls as they strut their style on the dance floor."

Celebrity dancers include Nampa Mayor Tom Dale, PRCA Bullfighter Dusty Tuckness, Nampa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Georgia Bowman, Snake River Stampede President Roger Todd and Miss Rodeo Idaho 2009 Freya Ford.

The quintet will be teamed with professional dancers from the Boise Salsa Dance Studio headed by Lael Wood. Luncheon guests will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite dance couples. The 2010 Miss Rodeo Idaho hopefuls, Cambria Huddleston, Measha Gittins and Sarah Pierson, join in the festivities. They will model, do some impromptu speaking and perform a dance together while votes are being tallied for the dance couples.

"The 2010 contestants aren't actually competing, but it's a chance for the public to visit with them, get autographs signed and see a portion of the pageant," Hall said.

If you go

What: Rodeo Kick-off Luncheon: Dancing with the Stars ... Stampede Style!

When: 11:15-1:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 14

Where: Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd Street South, Nampa

Tickets: $28/each, $200/table of eight, RSVP to Steph Seiler: 467-5670 or sseilers@msn.com