Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The 2006 Calapooia Rodeo Queen will be selected at a dinner on Jan. 28.
The day will start at 9 a.m. with this year’s three contestants demonstrating their horsemanship skills at a ranch on River Road outside Lebanon. They will participate in interviews and give their speeches in the afternoon. The queen will be named during a 5 p.m. dinner at Bing’s Kitchen in Lebanon.
A formal coronation will be held in May.
The 2006 contestants are Brandee Horn of Sweet Home, Larissa Bjornsen of Sweet Home and Alisia Lynn Furman of Lebanon.
Larissa Bjornsen
Bjornsen, 16, is the daughter of Billie Bjornsen and Ken Streeter of Sweet Home.
She is a sophomore at Sweet Home High School. She has participated in equestrian events at the county fair for six years and in horse judging for four years. She has been on honor roll for two years. She lettered in varsity soccer in 2004 and 2005 and on the equestrian team in 2004.
She plans to graduate with an honors diploma then attend Oregon State University or Boston University for equestrian. She wants to become a physical therapist and massage therapist for horses or people.
“I have been riding horses since I was in my mom’s stomach,” Bjornsen said. “I Got my first pony, Tuffy, when I was in the second grade, and I rode him all the time, sometimes without a halter, even. He is the one that taught me to ride.
“My father passed away when I was in the third grade, and my family has dealt with his death very well.
She said she started 4-H in the fourth grade “on my pony, Crescent.” She qualified for state in showmanship, English, western and gaming my seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade years with her palomino mare, Snickers. She competed in the state championships in English as a seventh- and eighth-grader. In ninth grade, she earned a medallian in western and was second in the state of Oregon for western equitation.
Bjornsen said that an auto accident got her interested in a career in therapy.
“In November of 2004, my sister and I got into a car accident that totaled her car. Luckily, both of us were OK. I had to go through physical therapy, and that’s what made me want to be a physical or massage therapist.
“Then at Pre-fair in April of 2005, I got into another accident. I had just started using Shadow, my gaming mare, again after she had a colt. Shadow had thrown me into a fence, and I was taken to the hospital. I ended up OK.
She said that she has had a long association with the rodeo world.
“My family has always gone to rodeos, and I have always done the stick pony races,” she said.
“I think I would make a good queen of the Sweet Home Rodeo because my character, integrity and personality represent our sport with respect and dignity. I would also make a good queen for your rodeo because I am responsible and trustworthy. I am a fun person, and I take pride in who I am and what I represent. I am a good horse rider and have a positive attitude.”
Alisia Furman
Furman, 16, is the daughter of Scott Furman and Kitty Doherty of Lebanon. She is a junior at Lebanon High School.
She is a three-year varsity soccer player, a member of the drama board and junior president of the Key Club. She is a three-year member of the Key Club and spirit coordinator. She is Lebanon High School equestrian team camptain. She is a 4-H member, a member of STARS, and is coordinator for Mr. LHS ’06.
“I would like to serve my country at some point after graduation and then attend a four-year university where I would like to study mathematical education,” Furman said.
She has an 18-year-old sister, Ashley, and a 17-year-old stepbrother, David.
“I grew up around horses and formed a strong bond with the equine species when I got my first horse in the fourth grade, named Cricket,” Furman said. “I started riding when I was 3 and wanted more than anything to barrel race like many other cowgirls in the rodeos.
“I started riding in 4-H and worked my way from showing western equitation to eventually competing in all aspects, including gaming and English.”
She continued to show horses throughout grade school. Entering high school, she became active in many extracurricular activities. Her equestrian team won the small-team district trophy.
“I want to represent the 2006 Sweet Home Rodeo as queen because it is a way for me to promote part of our western heritage that represents family togetherness and a positive atmosphere,” Furman said.
“The Sweet Home Rodeo is a great family event and means so much to community and the families in it and (promoting) that would be an honor.”
Brandee Horn
Horn, 17, is the daughter of Bill and Tracy Horn of Sweet Home. She is the youngest of three daughters. She is a senior at Sweet Home High School and has completed college credit.
She has four years of all honors and advanced placement classes, honor society, honor roll, class board and student council. She is 4-H club president and a two-year member of the varsity high school equestrian team.
She plans to major in English education and journalism at college and continue her equestrian career.
“Having been born and raised in a small-town environment has instilled in my the many values I hold dear, pride in myself and my community, the importance of a good education and tolerance for others and their diverse beliefs,” Horn said. “Unfortunately, I was not one of the few, lucky little girls to be born into a ‘horse family,’ though for as long as I can remember, the image of myself sitting atop such a powerful creature had always been my dream. ”
She said when she was asked what she wanted for her 12th birthday, “I knew I had to have riding lessons.”
“At first, lessons were disastrous. I had dreamed of a gleaming white horse like the kind you see in movies or storybooks. Instead, a retired 20-year-old POA was my mount, a stocky mud ball that would rather throw me off and get on with his business than carry an awkward beginner around the arena. Needless to say, I learned the extremely difficult but vital lesson of patience and persistence early on.”
She said she got hooked on rodeo after a family friend took her to the Sweet Home Rodeo, and “it was an automatic addiction: Cold bleachers, screaming crowds, talented athletes — human and non-human — a genuinely fun time.”
Horn said the Sweet Home’s rodeo “is so much more special” than others she’s attended over the past five years.
“In a small and tight-knit community as ours, people of all ages and backgrounds can come and enjoy good clean fun while supporting those who are living their dreams and competing to their utmost ability,” she said.
“The Sweet Home Rodeo is a truly memorable event, and as with every year, I can hardly wait for this year’s rodeo to begin. If awarded the title of Sweet Home Rodeo Queen, I will do everything in my power to maintain a fun, family event; welcome outside competitors to Sweet Home; be a positive role model for the rodeo youth; and bring even more people to our stands.
“I have always loved the Sweet Home Rodeo and will proudly support and represent it.”