Submitted by Terri Harris
Natalie Pool - Queen Contestant
My name is Natalie Pool. I am a junior at Goldthwaite High school, and I am 17 years old. I have been riding since I was 10, and I absolutely fell in love with it! After a while, I began to start barrel racing, and now I go out to the rodeos and jackpots.
I excel in school, and I am very involved in the community. In my spare time, I show goats and participate in the FFA. I love to hangout with my family and friends as well as help anyone with anything they need done. I love this community and all it’s introduced me to.
Zoe Ward - Queen Contestant
Zoe Ward is the daughter of Rustey and Megan Ward of Buchanan Dam, Texas. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Marble Falls involved in both the youth group as well as assisting with teaching Sunday school. She is also the only Junior Volunteer firefighter in all of Llano County. Zoe enjoys helping during the Burnet County Rodeo Association events with her family. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and her horse Hot Stuff.
Aerin Gardner - Queen Contestant
Aerin Gardner is the 15-year-old daughter of Heidi Gardner and Kirk Gardner. She is a Brownwood High School freshman taking advanced placement and dual credit courses, maintaining an “A” average GPA. She is active in tennis and participates in FFA horse judging, 4-H horse speed events, livestock judging, shooting sports, rabbit showing, and calf scrambles. She also participates in all Brown County Youth Fair Home Economics division areas, including clothing, canning, cooking, and crafts. She has qualified for state 4-H in the horse speed events for the past 4 years. She enjoys hunting, barrel racing, and crafts. To help the community, she volunteers by ringing Salvation Army bells, painting soup bowls for the Empty Bowls Project, and gathering donations to help provide and deliver turkeys and meal kits for those in need. She also has gathered and donated hundreds of stuffed animals over the years to the Brown County Toys for Kids organization. Aerin plans to acquire her bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University and then continue with the A&M University system to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. After completing dental school, she will enter an orthodontic residency and one day become an Orthodontist.
Mesa Hammond - Duchess Contestant
Mesa is the daughter of Sean and Natalie Hammond, Lampasas, Texas. She is 10 years old and is excited about the opportunity to compete for the title, Miss Diamondback Jubilee Duchess! She is an avid barrel racer, and competes all over Texas. She would love to train horses and earn the right to compete at the National Finals Rodeo! She is a hard worker in school, loves her family and friends, and always puts God first in everything she does!!!! She looks forward to this rodeo every year and cannot wait for the opportunity to represent!
Korie McCoury - Duchess Contestant
Korie McCoury is the daughter of Waylon and Sarah McCoury. She is 10 years old, and she enjoys riding horses, especially her horse Badger. When Korie isn’t riding horses, she loves fishing, hunting and crafting. When Korie grows up, she wants to be a professional barrel racer. Korie looks up to her big sister, Breck, who is the 2024 Miss Diamondback Jubilee Rodeo Queen, and she looks forward to representing the Lometa Lions Club.
Jentre Walzel - Duchess Contestant
Jentre Walzel is a 5th grader at Goldthwaite Elementary. She is little Eagle cheerleader, plays basketball and softball as well as owning her own in home bakery, Double J Sweets. Jentre has been riding horses competing in playdays and rodeos since before she was a year old. She has competed at AASP & RC playday finals, CTBRA, San Antonio Youth Rodeo, District 7 and State 4H horse show and numerous Tommy Green Junior Rodeos. Jentre currently serves as the assistant awards director and sweetheart of the Lone Star Riding Club. She is an active member of the Church of Christ youth group serving as a Bible class teacher and Leadership Training for Christ participant. Jentre is the 11-year-old daughter of Brian and Jennifer Walzel. She wants to be a vet tech or nurse when she grows up.
Harper Reata Evans - Duchess Contestant
My name is Harper Reata Evans. I am in 7th grade at Goldthwaite Middle School. Although I am a Mills County kid now, I grew up in Lometa as a Hornet. I am competing for the title of Duchess. The Diamondback Jubilee is my hometown rodeo. I have a huge love for my horses. I compete in rodeo; I run barrels and breakaway rope. My goals include making it to the NFR in barrels and breakaway roping. My heroes are Jackie Crawford, Hailey Kinsel and Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi.