Stephanie Kaeppel of Conway has always wanted to be a cowgirl.
“I’ve always loved horses,” said Kaeppel, the 20-year-old granddaughter of Star and Chris Kaeppel of Conway. “I never really grew out of it.”
Kaeppel has parlayed that love of horses into winning several rodeo-queen titles, most notably that of 2010 Arkansas State Fair Rodeo Queen.
“I competed in the contest two years ago and was named runner-up,” she said. “I decided to try again this year, aiming for the title this time.”
Kaeppel received the crown Oct. 16 in Barton Coliseum at the state fairgrounds in Little Rock.
In addition to the crown, she received a saddle, a trophy, $250 in cash, a trophy buckle, a portrait and flowers. Her portrait will be displayed in the Arkansas State Fair Administration Office until the 2011 winner is crowned.
Kaeppel, a 2008 graduate of Conway High School, recently graduated from the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton with an associate degree in business.
“I plan to attend the University
of Central Arkansas and major in accounting,” she said. “I want to be a CPA (certified public accountant) or a forensic accountant. Forensic accountants help the police in cases such as money laundering.”
Kaeppel is a member of the Faulkner County Saddle Club, the Shamrock Horseshoes 4-H Club, the Arkansas Valley Horse Show Association, the National Reining Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association.
She is a past member of the Arkansas High School Rodeo Association and the Conway High School FFA Chapter.
Flying K Ranch of Conway and Arkansas Roof Renew of Little Rock sponsored Kaeppel in the Arkansas State Fair Rodeo Queen competition.
During the competition, Kaeppel rode two different quarter horses — Lilly, for horsemanship, and Blondie, for barrels.
Kaeppel said contestants must always wear “a hat, boots and Western attire” for the horsemanship part of the contest, and Western dresses for the modeling and interview sessions.
“I would love to make my own outfits,” she said. “But for now, I have them custom made.
"I do make some of my own shirts. I find a Western shirt or jacket at thrift stores and add to them.”
Kaeppel was named Miss Rodeo Old Fort Days in Fort Smith 2009-2010; Miss Rodeo Arkansas Runner-up 2010; an Arkansas 4-H Scholarship recipient in 2008-2010; an Arkansas 4-H Journal finalist; a Conway High School FFA Chapter Star Green Hand recipient; and Arkansas State Horse Show Junior High-point Winner in 2009.
“I really enjoy rodeo-queen competitions,” Kaeppel said. “Even if you don’t win, you learn so much.
"You learn public speaking. You become more outgoing. You learn interview skills. With the impromptu questioning, you learn to think on your feet.
“Plus, it’s a lot of fun. But it’s also a lot of hard work.”