Iowa Cowgirl Queen Contest
The Iowa Arabian Horse Association Queen Contest takes place at the annual Iowa Fall Society Horse Extravaganza over Labor Day weekend. Winners of the Junior Queen & Senior Queen contests will represent the Iowa Arabian Horse Association at the Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen Contest in the following August. Queen contestants must be residents of Iowa and must be current members of the Iowa Arabian Horse Association (memberships may be obtained at the time of registration).
There are three divisions: Little Miss Queen, Junior Queen, and Senior Queen.
Little Miss Queen: Contestants must be 5-9 years old, determined as of January 1 of the year of the contest. Little Miss queen contestants will be judged 50% on Horsemanship & 50% on appearance and will be asked to perform at the walk and jog trot only.
Responsibilities of the Little Miss Queen:
1. Hand out ribbons at least one Iowa Arabian horse show
2. Hand out ribbons at Iowa State Fair horse show.
3. Attend all Queen functions and meetings.
Iowa Junior Cowgirl Queen: Contestants must be 10-15 years old, determined as of January 1 of the year of the contest, and a resident of Iowa.
Iowa Senior Cowgirl Queen: Contestants must by 16-26 years old, determined as of Jan. 1 of the year of the contest and a resident of Iowa.
Junior and Senior Participants will be judged on the following:
50% Horsemanship- riders to be judged on seat, hands, and ability to maneuver horse through given pattern.
50% Appearance -judging will be based on beauty, attractiveness and appropriateness of western appointments. Clothing and tack should be well fitted and clean, to create a complete, suitable overall appearance.
Contestants will be asked to work on the rail at a walk, jog, and lope. Contestants will be asked to answer a question pertaining to care or maintenance of a horse and equipment; past, current or present involvement with the Arabian Horse Association.
Queen Run- Contestants will circle the arena once saluting to the crowd at a lope or faster. Once around the ring, the contestants are to stop, back and face the judges for the final queen salute to the judges. This will be done after the rail work is completed.
Winners will receive a crown, sash, belt buckle and flowers. The belt buckle will be issued at the Iowa State Fair prior to the Cowgirl Queen Contest.
Responsibilities of the Junior & Senior Queen:
1. Participate in the Iowa State Fair Cow Queen Contest. If the Queen for their division cannot participate in the ISF Cowgirl Queen Contest due an emergency, the princess or other runner-up may go in her place.
2. Hand out ribbons at one Iowa Arabian Horse Association show.
3. Hand out ribbons at the Iowa State Fair horse show.
4. Serve 3 hours at the Iowa Horse Council at the Iowa State Fair.
5. The outgoing Queen(s) will crown the new Queen(s) and princesses at the Queen contest. (exception would be for continued participation in Queen class)
6. Queen & princesses must attend all Queen functions
7. The Queens are encouraged to ride in the Iowa State Fair parade.
8. Attend a meeting after winning Queen Class with the Queen coordinator to sign state fair entry forms, and submit a copy of birth certificate.
9. Remember you are representing the Iowa Arabian Horse association – your conduct should be above reproach. You will be expected to dress nicely, wear your sashes & crowns and present a pleasant and friendly attitude at all official functions.
10. Queens are eligible to run for the Iowa Arabian Queen in consecutive years. There is no limit on term of reign, exception concerning age. If no one participates in a Queen class division, the previous year’s Queen will continue as the Association Queen, (exception concerning age).
There are three divisions: Little Miss Queen, Junior Queen, and Senior Queen.
Little Miss Queen: Contestants must be 5-9 years old, determined as of January 1 of the year of the contest. Little Miss queen contestants will be judged 50% on Horsemanship & 50% on appearance and will be asked to perform at the walk and jog trot only.
Responsibilities of the Little Miss Queen:
1. Hand out ribbons at least one Iowa Arabian horse show
2. Hand out ribbons at Iowa State Fair horse show.
3. Attend all Queen functions and meetings.
Iowa Junior Cowgirl Queen: Contestants must be 10-15 years old, determined as of January 1 of the year of the contest, and a resident of Iowa.
Iowa Senior Cowgirl Queen: Contestants must by 16-26 years old, determined as of Jan. 1 of the year of the contest and a resident of Iowa.
Junior and Senior Participants will be judged on the following:
50% Horsemanship- riders to be judged on seat, hands, and ability to maneuver horse through given pattern.
50% Appearance -judging will be based on beauty, attractiveness and appropriateness of western appointments. Clothing and tack should be well fitted and clean, to create a complete, suitable overall appearance.
Contestants will be asked to work on the rail at a walk, jog, and lope. Contestants will be asked to answer a question pertaining to care or maintenance of a horse and equipment; past, current or present involvement with the Arabian Horse Association.
Queen Run- Contestants will circle the arena once saluting to the crowd at a lope or faster. Once around the ring, the contestants are to stop, back and face the judges for the final queen salute to the judges. This will be done after the rail work is completed.
Winners will receive a crown, sash, belt buckle and flowers. The belt buckle will be issued at the Iowa State Fair prior to the Cowgirl Queen Contest.
Responsibilities of the Junior & Senior Queen:
1. Participate in the Iowa State Fair Cow Queen Contest. If the Queen for their division cannot participate in the ISF Cowgirl Queen Contest due an emergency, the princess or other runner-up may go in her place.
2. Hand out ribbons at one Iowa Arabian Horse Association show.
3. Hand out ribbons at the Iowa State Fair horse show.
4. Serve 3 hours at the Iowa Horse Council at the Iowa State Fair.
5. The outgoing Queen(s) will crown the new Queen(s) and princesses at the Queen contest. (exception would be for continued participation in Queen class)
6. Queen & princesses must attend all Queen functions
7. The Queens are encouraged to ride in the Iowa State Fair parade.
8. Attend a meeting after winning Queen Class with the Queen coordinator to sign state fair entry forms, and submit a copy of birth certificate.
9. Remember you are representing the Iowa Arabian Horse association – your conduct should be above reproach. You will be expected to dress nicely, wear your sashes & crowns and present a pleasant and friendly attitude at all official functions.
10. Queens are eligible to run for the Iowa Arabian Queen in consecutive years. There is no limit on term of reign, exception concerning age. If no one participates in a Queen class division, the previous year’s Queen will continue as the Association Queen, (exception concerning age).
2025 Iowa Arabian Horse Association Cowgirl Queens
Little Miss IaAHA Cowgirl Queen
Kennedy Birkholtz
Kennedy Birkholtz
Junior IaAHA Cowgirl Queen
Francesca Wong
Francesca Wong
Senior IaAHA Cowgirl Queen
Lola Svec
Lola Svec
Francesca and Lola are competing for a spot on the Queen’s Court at the 2025 Iowa State Fair! We wish them and their Arabian horse partners the best of luck in the competition. It’s an honor to have them representing us on the main stage for everyone to see!