Clovis Rodeo Queen 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 Clovis Rodeo Queen Lilly Kier!

Congratulations Lilly!

Meet Lilly Kier, sponsored by Clovis Soroptimists. Lilly is a Fresno State student pursuing a degree in agricultural business.  She would like to thank her parents, Rusty and Denielle Kier for their love and support along this journey. Lilly looks forward to building meaningful relationships with those who share her passion for rodeo and service. Lilly has been riding horses since she could walk, has competed all across the state, and has dreams to influence others to become involved in the western way of life. She plans on becoming an agricultural appraiser and help link farmers/ranchers to the financial resources available to them.

Farewell Letter from
2022 Clovis Rodeo Queen Preslye Ede

Photo Credit: Roseanna Sales

Photo Credit: Preslye Ede

Who would have thought a question as simple as “Can I have a pony?” would lead to an incredible and unbelievable year thirteen years later as Miss Clovis Rodeo 2022!

My heart is so full as I reflect on one heck of a year! This past year I was extremely fortunate to expand my love and knowledge for the sport of rodeo while traveling all over the state of California and Texas. As the 2022 Clovis Rodeo Queen, I have had the honor to represent the town in which I have lived in my entire life, Clovis, California. As a little girl, the last weekend in April was guaranteed to be filled with fun and excitement, we wouldn’t miss the Clovis Rodeo for the world! I’ve always been inspired by the Rodeo Queens, I would even practice my queen salute racing around our arena on my jumper pony.

Having grown up in Clovis, one of the top agricultural counties, it was easy and enjoyable to represent our western way of life and its agriculture. These things are very near and dear to my heart and will always be a huge part of my life.

I fell more in love with this industry than ever before, being able to experience all of the hard work behind the scenes at each rodeo! It is truly amazing how everyone works so hard to put on such an incredible event! I am forever grateful for this time, this industry, the Clovis Rodeo, and every one of you who made it such a special experience along the way.

Throughout this past year, I was blessed to attend so many incredible rodeos. To name a few: the Fort Worth Stockyards Pro Rodeo, the Cinch Finals Rodeo at the Texas State Fair, the Salinas Pro Rodeo, and Glennville Pro Rodeo. Each and every rodeo I attended was unique and I am so thankful for the incredible friendships I made at each event. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to each and every person I met along this journey that welcomed me and treated me with kindness.

I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to represent the Clovis Rodeo and everything we stand for. Thank you for letting me represent the sport I love and am passionate about. The relationships and connections I have made this year have been unforgettable, from fellow queens, to rodeo fans, each relationship means so much to me. I’ve been able to see little glimpses of heaven and people I consider to be angels on earth. These encounters will be something I will cherish forever.

In August of 2022, I decided to move to Texas to pursue my dreams. I am currently going to school at Texas A&M University, majoring in Agricultural Engineering as well as Weapons Engineering. Gig ‘Em! I hope to use my Agricultural Engineering degree and farming background to help expand the future of agricultural machinery and systems. I also hope to become a Weapons Engineer to create useful and effective weapons for military use. Even in Texas, I am involved in my community. I am a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, in which our philanthropy is “Building Strong Girls.” Our mission supports strong women, building strong girls. Moving to Texas has opened up even more opportunities for my queen year. I was able to travel to different rodeos throughout the Lone Star State representing the well-known Clovis Rodeo, which has been astounding!
What I’m most touched by is all of the love I was shown on this ride, and my guardian angels guiding me along the experience. I would like to especially thank my parents and family, Tish Wilhite, Brian Avery, Sally Rome, the Gobeli family, the Simpson family, the Bower family, Julie Ewing, The 500 Club, the Clovis Kiwanis Club, the Clovis Rodeo Association, all of the Clovis Rodeo Committee members, and of course all of my equine partners, for absolutely everything this year. I would not be here without you!

This organization will always have a huge impact on my life and am so grateful to forever be a part of a wonderful rodeo. Best of luck to the future queens! I’m looking forward to seeing y’all at the 109th Clovis Rodeo!

As this cowgirl rides away, love always and many thanks,

Preslye Ede
Miss Clovis Rodeo 2022

Clovis Rodeo Queens by Year

1916    Marian D. Armstrong

1917    Ella Swigart

1918    Mildred Morrison Sharer

1919    Nola DeWees

1920   Clara McCormick

1921    Margaret Bell

1922   Dorothy Bridges

1925    Flora Vest

1926    Irene Black

1927    Vivian Jones

1928    Kathleen Broadwell

1929    Blanche Coker

1933    Bessie Michaelides (Saturday Queen)

             Helen Ball (Sunday Sweetheart)

1934    Mae Givaudan

1935    Bertenis Gallemore

1936    Barbara Clark

1937    Barbara Anderson

1938    Julia Givaudan

1939    Marie Smith

1940    Irma Pendergrass

1941    Frances Armstrong

1942    Peggy Parnell

1948    Sally Cecil

1949    Bobbie Qualls

1950    Sally Sample

1951    Reno Browne  (Hollywood actress)

1952    Margaret Kennedy

1953    Janet Fairchild

1954    Margie Cook

1955    Claudia Conkey

1956    Sandra Morgan

1957    Claudia Allred

1958    Janice Eppler

1959    Judy Allred

1960    Helen Badasci

1961    Bunny Erickson

1962    Sandy Jackson

1963    Bobette Rich

1964    Jody Shoults

1965    Debbie Van Buren

1966    Jenny Showalter

1967    Tandy Anderson

1968    Terri Lockwood

1969    Joanne Quinn

1970    Suzanne Hyde

1971    Maggie Quinn

1972    Pam Prickett

1973    Cathy Duke

1974    Jana Jones

1975    Lauri Bianchi

1976    Lynn Merriman

1977    Beth Riley

1978    Meg McCarthy

1979    Jeanette Leer

1980    Karen Waltz

1981    Cricket Demings

1982    Andrea Lowe

1983    Ranay Maslowski

1984    April Gaede

1985    Lisa Garabedian

1986    Debbie Valdero

1987    Teresa Fetter

1988    Stacy Lynn Johnson

1989    Marci Demings

1990    Tammy Ripley

1991    Stacey Valdero

1992    Claudia Stone

1993    Amy Gulke

1994    Kristi Reigh Brangle

1995    Andrea Nicholson

1996    Kristen Cotter

1997    Tara Sagniere

1998    Dawn Lightfoot

1999    Candace Reinhard

2000    Kristen Fosnaugh

2001    Megan Meadows

2002    Holly M. Andrus

2003    Chrystle Alberta

2004    Kadee Coffman

2005    Shannon Walker

2006    Dayna Iverson

2007    Ashley Hoffmann

2008    Markie Battaglia

2009    Brittany Slaton

2010    Samantha Lozano

2011    Courtney Thomas

2012    Hollie Kucera

2013    Kayli Gobeli

2014    Jocelynn Barrington

2015    Alicia Aluisi

2016    Katie McDougald

2017    Madison Jones

2018    Kaitlyn DeMott

2019    Lauryn Patterson

2021    Corissa King †

2022    Preslye Ede

2023    Lilly Kier

† Due to the COVID pandemic, the rodeo was canceled in 2020.

Would you like to be the next Clovis Rodeo Queen?