The Royal Court for our 73rd Fourth of July rodeo is excited and anticipating rodeo activities as official hostesses and representatives of the St. Paul Rodeo to the Northwest. Their official schedule begins in early spring and continues throughout the year with appearances at community functions, media events, parades, and, of course, other rodeos.

Queen Gina Cloepfil returns to St. Paul this year to serve as queen after serving as a princess on the 2007 court. Queen Gina will graduate in the spring of 2008 from Oregon State University with a degree in Merchandising Management from the Department of Health and Human Sciences. This accomplished horsewoman’s horse-related activities began as a very young child riding horseback on the family farm in Carlton, OR. She’s been an active member of various horse breed associations for the past ten years and has won World Championships in showmanship and both English and Western Bareback equitation. Gina has always been busy with extra curricular activities: In high school, she was active in FFA and participated in basketball and in soccer as that team’s Captian.  She’s been active in OSU intramural softball and trapshooting and was OSU Skeet Shoot Champion 2005-2007. This multitalented young woman aspires to own her own business one day and live in a rural, agricultural area. Gina’s parents are Richard and Christy Cloepfil. Her mount for all rodeo activities will be “Slider”, a ten year old Quarter Horse.

Princess Shannon Mitchell has grown up in the Willamette Valley and graduated from Newberg High School in 2006. She presently attends Oregon State University studying Agriculture Business Management hoping one day to have a career in agricultural sales. This outgoing young woman participated in FFA in high school and earned a place on the National FFA team in 2003, 2004, & 2005. She, also, represented Yamhill County 4-H at the State Fair in several horse events. Princess Shannon is the daughter of Susan Mitchell formerly of Newberg. Her equine partner for the year’s activities will be Lily, a five year old sorrel Quarter Horse.

Princess Kimberly Ernst is a local girl who was raised in the St. Paul community and graduated from St. Paul High School in 2005. She attended the University of Montana-Western her freshman year and is presently studying biological sciences at Central Oregon Community College on her way to becoming a Certified Radiologist. Kimberly won numerous awards as a high school athlete participating in volleyball, basketball and track and field events and as a team-spirited cheerleader. Awards include Student of the Month (twice), Athlete of the Year, Most Improved and Most Inspirational Awards, multiple Coach’s Awards, and MVP on her track and field team as they became 1A State Champions in the 4x1 relay. Princess Kimberly has been riding ever since she can remember and is the daughter of Richard and Carolyn Ernst of St. Paul. She will be riding Gordy, a 4 year old sorrel overo Paint/Quarter horse gelding.

To schedule our beautiful Royal Court at your event, please contact Dave and Mary at 503-633-4488.



Serving on the Royal Court provides young women an excellent opportunity to improve poise and self-assurance as they attend various community events, activities, and parades, and make radio and television appearances throughout the year. Candidates are judged on horsemanship, knowledge, personality, appearance, and speaking ability.

To be eligible, candidates must be between the ages of 17-23 at the time of the rodeo in July, be a graduating high school senior or beyond in education, be eager and willing to attend various parades and functions throughout the year, be single and never married, have their own horse, equipment and transportation for their horse, and have sufficient time for wardrobe fittings and official functions.

Selection of the 2009 St. Paul Rodeo Royal Court will be at the Salem Saddle Club in Salem, Oregon on October 12, 2008. The application packet is available online; for more information call Dave Wilson, 5200 Buyserie Rd., NE, St. Paul, OR 97137, Phone 503-633-4488, Fax 503-633-4489.

Click Here to download the Royal Court Application (PDF)