Soni Clifford with a young fan. Courtesy photo
Soni Clifford Named Miss Rodeo South Dakota
By Brandon Ecoffey
Lakota Country Times Editor
lakotacountrytimes.com BELL FOUCHE -- For the first time in the history of the Ms. South Dakota Rodeo pageant a Native American is set to hold the title. Soni Clifford, the daughter of Shane Clifford and Misty Brave, was named Miss Rodeo South Dakota Lady in Waiting at the Days of '76 rodeo in Belle Fouche last week. The honor earned by Clifford marks the first time that a tribal citizen has won the crown. "My interest in the Miss Rodeo South Dakota pageant, started when I was a young girl watching my dad compete in the bareback riding at Black Hills Round Up many years ago. I got my first autograph and I knew someday I wanted to be in her position. However, I didn't start getting involved in the pageants until after high school. My first title was Miss Indian Rodeo. After that I took a few years to focus on school. Then I ran for Miss Black Hills Stock Show, which is the current title I hold other than Miss Rodeo South Dakota Lady In Waiting," said Clifford. As the Lady in Waiting, Clifford will not officially be crowned Miss Rodeo South Dakota until next summer but the win opens the door for her to pursue another dream of hers which is to compete in the Miss Rodeo American pageant held each year at the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association National Finals Rodeo held each year in Las Vegas, NV. For many outside the world of rodeo the sport of competitive pageantry the intricacies of these contests are often glossed over. For Clifford her success has come from her willingness to put in the hours necessary to reach her goals. "During the pageant we were required to stay in a host home, and our phones were taken away. We weren't to have contact with our families, other than at times that were designated by the chaperon. those times includes after the speech category and the horsemanship category. We were also required to do a horsemanship pattern on our own horse this year, which was newly added to the pageant this year. I took my 6 year old "Clara" to compete, even though she was young and it was only her second rodeo, I had a great deal of confidence in her," said Clifford.
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Despite Clara's best efforts, however, the duo managed to take home a second place score in the horsemanship category. That would be Clifford's only second place finish in a category as she would take first place in photogenics, speech, modeling, written test, and appearance. "My journey has to this point has included long long hours of studying. As a rodeo queen the judges can ask you just about anything for the parts of a horse hoof to the currents events. I made note cards, watched the news, rode multiple different horses.Also preparing my wardrobe for the Miss Rodeo South pageant was another big part. Most days during the pageant you change at least 2-3 times day if not more," said Clifford. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com) Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
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