Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Bilderback Thrives Taking Challenges Head-On
COWGIRL DREAMS COME TRUE
LINCOLN — As a young girl not yet big enough to participate in some of the rough and tumble rodeo events Courtney Bilderback sat in the stands dreaming.
Now 25, she imagined herself becoming a young woman taking a prominent place in the arena playing an active role in rodeo. A dream which began to come to fruition when she won the 2014 Lincoln Riding Club rodeo queen pageant stepping into a position which has thrust her into the spotlight. Bilderback will preside over the 2015 festivities during the 62nd annual Lincoln Rodeo before concluding her reign on Saturday when a new queen is chosen. This is a ride the Tontitown cowgirl has enjoyed while continuing to broaden her horizons.
Four years ago Bilderback started riding with drill teams and joined the Regulators two years ago when members of Lincoln Riding Club decided to form their own group.
“Rodeo has been a part of my life since I was a child only able to sit in the stands and watch,” Bilderback said. “Once I joined a drill team and was able to be a part of the events I realized I want nothing more than to make the crowd happy. The enjoyment I get out of being in the arena and heart pound- ing with excitement makes all the hard work and stressful moments worth it.”
In addition to horserelated activities, Bilderback also enjoys painting, camping and outdoor activities, shooting guns, video games, dancing, boating on the lake, and floating on the river. She was a band member for seven years including sweepstakes band for two years. She received the outstanding student award, solo and Ensemble Le, f ive No. 1 medals and a No. 2 award. She played the flute and did color guard for two years. Bilderback played softball where her team placed first in recreational league, third in district, and attended state competitions. She received the Kiwanas Leadership Medal.
Bilderback is the daughter of John and Michelle Bain, and the granddaughter of Mike and Sue Bilderback. Among her endeavors, she is pursuing a career in Mechanical Drafting and Interior Design.
“As all children do, they dream of growing up and becoming something amazing. My dream was to grow into a woman who I can without a doubt be proud of,” Bilderback said. “Being Miss Lincoln Rodeo has helped me further my dream by giving me the opportunity to do for my community and association. I am hard working and love to help others in any way that I can.”
Bilderback takes pride in being creative and self-motivated. She loves coming up with new ideas and ways to make things easier, better, and overall more effective for everyone and wants to make a difference and set the bar high for what can be accomplished when one sets their mind to accomplish something.
“I want to be the best role model I can because in the end it is the actions taken that people will remember the most, not the words that were spoken,” Bilderback said. “Attending community events and town festivities are how I plan on achieving my goals. I want this experience to broaden my knowledge and leadership skills. I want to be challenged and most of all become a better, stronger version of the woman I am.”
Bilderback wishes good luck to all the contestants in the 62nd Annual Lincoln Riding Club Rodeo royalty contest.