(Submitted photo)
One of the new Stampede Princesses crowned on Monday night might know just as much about horses as she does about dinosaurs.
Chelsey Jacobson, 23, daughter of Lori and Doug Jacobson of Drumheller, is one of three new Stampede Princesses and she is more than excited.
"It is pretty surreal right now, I am still getting people to pinch me to see if I’m dreaming," said Jacobson shortly after her win.
She was encouraged to try it out by a former Stampede Queen.
“It is something I have always dreamed of, but I never saw myself doing it until one of my friends, she was the queen in 2010, said ‘you’d be perfect for it,’ and pressured me, and I thought why not? It is an incredible opportunity, so here I am!”
She signed up and it has been a whirlwind month. They are judged on more than just beauty, but also professionalism, the ability to communicate and riding ability. She has been show jumping for almost a decade.
“We have been going at least three or four times a week since then, and the last week it has been full time,” It has been pretty quick, it has been exciting."
Her excitement is only matched by her mother Lori who was in Calgary with her on Monday night. The family resided in Drumheller for many years before moving just outside to an acreage in Kneehill County.
“People have been texting me and Facebooking me and I’m answering questions, it’s so much fun!” beamed Lori.
Things are going to change quickly for the University student studying for her Bachelor of Social Work.
“Basically I am going to be an ambassador for Calgary Stampede, telling people about the city itself and promoting the Stampede as well as western heritage and values,” she said. “We’ll be going to different rodeos and to things like the Grey Cup."
“It’s going to be a full time job from here on in, but I am pretty excited about it.”
