2018 Year-End Awards Banquet and Crowning

   Hi friends! My name is Sarah Beth Felker, and I am so honored to have had Allison pass down the crown to me last weekend at the 2018 Year-End Awards banquet. Being crowned the SCQHA Queen has been one of my goals since first learning about the contest as a Small Fry, and I’m so excited that it has become reality! Studying the AQHA Rulebook and preparing for the interview are the most challenging aspects of the competition, however it has helped tremendously with my confidence and I’m thrilled to be able to compete at Congress! I have been competing in all-around events since I was nine years old, and the horsemanship portion is one of the components I am most excited for! I have been practicing horsemanship with my gelding, Tater, as well as with my Western teammates at St. Andrews University in preparation for the IHSA Semi-Finals, and I am confident I will be well prepared to take on the horsemanship competition at Congress!
The 2018 SCQHA Queen Allison Hinson handed down the crown to me this past weekend at the 2018 Year-End awards banquet. My hard work paid off, and I’m so honored to hold the title.  All of my friends, family, and even some of contest's sponsors were able to be there to support me and make this experience a great one! It was also an amazing feeling to be crowned in front of all the members of the SCQHA at the banquet. My first act as Queen was to hand out awards to all the Year-End winners. It was such an amazing feeling to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments from 2018 and congratulate friends on a job well-done! My favorite part of the night was seeing the faces of all the youth members and competitors that were receiving Year-End awards for the first time. Looking back on the all the photos from the evening reminded me why I wanted to run for Queen. I love being able to celebrate with and encourage people and act as a  role model for all the young youth members who look up to me!
I cannot wait to see where this year as Queen takes me and to be able to represent the SCQHA as your 2019 SCQHA Queen!

Until next time! 
Love, Sarah Beth