Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin

By Scott Roblin

Queen & Princess

Smith & Freimark named 2019 Medicine Hat Stampede Rodeo royalty

Jul 14, 2019 | 7:16 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat’s newest royalty was crowned on Saturday night, as the 2019 Medicine Hat Stampede and Rodeo has it’s new queen and princess.

In front of a few hundred spectators at the Cypress Centre, Medicine Hat’s Rayelle Smith and Walsh’s Dionne Freimark heard their names called.

Smith’s name was the last to be announced, as the former Monsignor McCoy High School student received the figurative and literal crown from 2018 Stampede Rodeo Queen Haley Schlenker.

“It was definitely surreal, I didn’t expect it,” said Smith. “I was in shock, I almost cried.”

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The announcement marked the end of a hectic week for the girls involved, with the group taking part in speaking competitions, horsemanship trials, and community involvement.

Smith, who excelled in the public speaking category, said there’s plenty to look forward to but getting the chance to ride in front of thousands at the Stampede Rodeo tops the list.

“I think getting to do the presentation laps in the arena for the rodeo,” she said. “So, those will be the most fun I think.”

As for Freimark, Saturday night’s announcement came as a shock as her name was the first announced as 2019 Stampede Princess.

Receiving her crown from departing princess Abby Perret, the 21-year-old Freimark said she’s excited to get to know her royal counterpart better over the next 12 months.

“I’m looking forward to spending the year with Rayelle,” said Freimark. “I know we’re going to grow close and it’s just going to be a blast.”

Freimark earned top marks in the horsemanship competition and also won the Dr. Gary Houston Memorial Photogenic Award as well.

Along with the pomp and circumstance that comes with the queen and princess titles, Smith and Freimark will be major parts of the Medicine Hat community over the next year participating in various community events and initiatives.

That process was began last week, as competitors visited a variety of groups including the CORE Association, Veiner Centre, and BATUS just to name a few.

“Even just the week of competition you get so much opportunity,” said Smith. “You’re meeting so many new people, getting to go to associations that you normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to. It just opens doors.”

Smith and Freimark also both mentioned how tough their competition was, mentioning the other finalists Dana Blasetti and Emily Cheung.

Some of Medicine Hat’s Stampede royalty have gone on to national acclaim as well, with both 2015 and 2016 Stampede Queens Ali Mullin and Brittney Chomistek going on to being named Miss Rodeo Canada.

Freimark said she’s hoping this experience will provide her with life skills that she can take with her after her year of being Medicine Hat’s Stampede Princess.

“I’m sure it’s going to jump me forward in a lot of things,” said Freimark. “The life experience, talking in front of so many people, it’s going to push me forward I’m sure.”

The 2019 Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede gets underway on July 24 and runs for four days at the Stampede Grounds.