Kimberly Rose Downs

Kimberly Rose Downs is hoping to channel a bit of Elvis at the Miss Rodeo America pageant in November -- at least in the sequins and rhinestones department.

Downs, 22, was crowned Miss Rodeo Nevada 2005 in a ceremony that took place in Logandale in April. She will go on to compete in the Miss Rodeo America pageant in November at The Orleans. Downs said that recent trends in Rodeo fashion have favored floor-length leather gowns, but as that style is losing steam, she plans on creating a fabric dress bejeweled to the hilt.

"I'm going to have several of my outfits for the Miss Rodeo America pageant made at Nudie's (Rodeo Tailors of North Hollywood, Calif.)," Downs said. "Elvis once had one of his costumes made there."

The Las Vegan will compete against 28 state champions during the national competition. The women will be judged not only on their interviews, appearance and personality, but also on their skills on horseback. Downs won the speech award, personality award, photogenic award and appearance award besides the crown during the state competition.

"Rodeo isn't a sport that every state competes in like the Miss America pageant," said Joanna Brooks, state director for the Miss Rodeo Nevada pageant. "Some states may have a contestant once in a while, like Hawaii. There's quite an expense to the program and to the girl."

Downs has some pretty big boots to fill by following Selena Ulch, the reigning Miss Rodeo America from Nevada.

"In the 50 years of the pageant, there has never been a repeat," Brooks said. "But (Downs) is prepared -- and that's what it takes."

Downs' love of horses began when she and her parents took a trip to Ireland when she was 8 where her mother was temporarily working in a Dublin, Ireland, hospital.

"My mother is a pediatrician, and she gets to take a sabbatical every few years," Downs said. "While we were there, I had my first riding lesson with an English saddle. I loved it so much that when we got back they found me a trainer."

Downs attended the University of California at San Diego, graduating in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in ecology, behavior and evolution.

She plans on finishing her teaching credential and master's degree in education, and pursuing a career as a high school biology teacher.

"Every time I talk to kids, I tell them stay in school and continue your education, because you can succeed if you try," she said.

Though Miss Rodeo America is a competition, Downs said that the girls are more friendly than bull-headed.

"The sport of rodeo is very family-oriented," she said. "We travel together, share expenses -- we're all really great friends and have a great time during the year."

If you know of a worthy candidate for the Newsmakers column, mail information to Monique Frigard, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, send faxes to 383-4676.