Every year there is a new Fort Dalles Queen named and if you are anything like we are then you are wondering. What is her name? Is she from here? Has she been a queen before?. Today is your lucky day because here is a little bit about our new queen to enlighten you on those very subjects.
One cold October morning Jessica put the finishing touches on her horse Bert. Climbed aboard, and went on to introduce herself to the other girls as well as the judges. She had hoped that the day would go well but already the morning had started off on a bad note. Her hair would not hold a curl, her boots were tight and her makeup just would not look right, or so she thought. It must have just been nerves because she later went on to win the appearance category. Not only did she win the appearance, but took home the honor of winning every category offered. Horsemanship, appearance, personality, photogenic’s, speech and ultimately took home the coveted title of the 2008 Fort Dalles Days Pro Rodeo Queen. Yes, the day had quickly looked up.
Jessica was born and raised in a town where you almost had to be a horse person. A town with the motto “Where the west still lives” Toppenish Wa. The oldest of two girls, Jessica is the twenty year old daughter of Charles and Connie Gunnier. Now you might be wondering but Jessica is no youngster to the rodeo life, it has been in her family longer than she has. When her family was not fishing the Columbia or Klickitat Rivers, they were in the rodeo arena. Her dad rode bulls and bareback and then moved on to the wild horse race, even making it to the world and national finals a number of times. So she knows the dedication and time that is takes hitting the rodeo’s every weekend, sleeping in motel rooms and your truck more than your own bed.
Jessica got her first pony at the ripe old age of a year and a half. His name was Sugarbear and they were best friends from then on. For as long as she can remember, her sidekick has always been a horse. Jessica was not much of a show person, it was too slow paced for her taste. She was a “roughy” at heart. She climbed aboard her first calf at the age of eight at the Glenwood Junior Rodeo. Mind you this was when girls were not in the calf riding so she had to ride with the boys, but she came out triumphant bringing home a belt buckle. After calves, Jessica moved on to steers and cows mixed with a little bit of poles and barrels. She tried her hand at just about every event, but decided to stick with the barrels. Jessica is a member of a few associations where she runs her queen horse Bert who pulls double duty, and her nine year old mare.
When in high school Jessica was very active in sports, lettering in basketball and being a four year letterman and two year MVP in track even competing at the state level in the 100m dash, 4X100 Relay, 4X200 relay and the triple jump. Currently Jessica is attending Yakima Valley Community College majoring in agribusiness. She one day hopes to own and operate her own western store, and her own hay business.
She has always been a tomboy but was introduced to the queening world and loved it. She was a member of the White Swan Treaty Days royal court in 2002 -2003, the Bickleton Rodeo queen in 2005, and the Glenwood Rodeo queen in 2007. She is now very excited to say that she is continuing on and getting the chance to represent the great city of the Dalles and the wonderful Fort Dalles Rodeo as their queen. Jessica is looking forward to a fun filled busy year of educating people and representing Americas true sport. If she can turn just a few more people to this great sport, then she believes that she has helped in keeping this great tradition alive. This is her goal and she plans on doing it, one bright red smile at a time.
See you down the rodeo trail.
2008 Fort Dalles Days Pro Rodeo Queen
Jessica Gunnier
Jessica Gunnier