Washington County Enterprise-Leader
It’s All About Meeting Good-Hearted People
RODEO PARTICIPATION OPENS UP TEEN’S WORLD
LINCOLN — Rodeo has not always been a part of Shayla Fox’s life, now the 2017 Lincoln Riding Club Queen contestant can’t imagine life without it.
“Holding the title Miss Lincoln Riding Club would be an honor,” Shayla said. “I would love the opportunity to promote our growing rodeo and influence it in a positive way. I believe in the significance of sharing the thrilling sport of rodeo with people in our small community, as well as the importance of encouraging everyone to participate in the family-oriented sport, at least once.”
“I want to impact the younger generations and remind them (of) the traditional values associated with rodeo. I hope to have lots of fun, while making unforgettable memories, running for Miss Lincoln Riding Club Rodeo.”
Shayla is the 17-year-old daughter of Fannie Davenport, and has been riding by herself since she was 3 years old, 14 years total. One of her horses is Wyatt. He is a 3-year-old American Quarter Horse. According to Shayla, Wyatt has a quirky personality that she adores. She started and broke Wyatt, with the help of a lot of good friends when Wyatt was 2. Her other horse is Pep, a 10-year-old quarter horse mare. Pep likes to go fast and play in the water. She also has a sassy attitude.
Shayla is a founding member of the Lincoln Riding Club Regulators precision drill team. She is one of 12 riders who perform drill performances at local rodeos and horse festivals. They maneuver high speed choreographed patterns on horseback. They have a lot of fun and strive to put on a great performance for each audience. They represent the Lincoln Riding Club at their events, and Shayla says they always receive positive feedback. The drill also represents many different local businesses around the northwest Arkansas area who are proud to have the Regulators flying their logos in the team’s performances.
Every weekend Shayla has practice for her drill team, which is always a blast for her. Shayla appreciates that from this experience she has learned a great deal more about horses, and life in general, from women on the drill team. Shayla said participating in rodeos has taught her so much more about good horsemanship than she ever thought possible. She has met many goodhearted people. Every summer she looks forward to traveling and performing with her drill team.
Shayla is a senior at Lincoln High School. She is an honor student with superb grades, and this has won her many academic awards. Shayla hopes to one day become a veterinarian. Shayla is currently a proud member of the Lincoln FFA. She participates in many different FFA events, and she is on the poultry judging team. She placed first individually at the Arkansas State Career Development Events in poultry judging. Her food science team placed fourth nationally, and she placed in the gold division. She has shown many different types of livestock at the Washington County Fair. She has a lot of fun memories, and won lots of ribbons and trophies. She has won lots of purple and blue ribbons with her shorthorn heifers.
While acknowledging she did not have opportunity to grow up in a rodeo family, Shayla is quick to point out she is a hometown girl with traditional values who grew up in a home that was not afraid of hard work. If she is selected as Miss Lincoln Riding Club Rodeo Queen, Shayla will consider herself privileged to carry the Lincoln Riding Club flag. Promoting the name is something she would be honored to do. She also hopes to learn more about horses and further her horsemanship through the competition.
Shayla is excited about the pageant, recognizing that becoming Miss Lincoln Riding Club Rodeo Queen would grant opportunity to represent her proud, little hometown.