Lori Simpson Wins First Rodeo Queen Of Mid-South Title At Event In Southaven, MS Lori Simpson, 21, of Byhalia MS was named Queen of Rodeo of the Mid-South recently during the competition and professional Rodeo held at DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven MS. The rodeo, the first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (Pro-Rodeo) event held at DeSoto Civic Center starred the Mid-South's own Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame member, Lecile Harris of Collierville. Simpson, a Senior journalism major at the University ofMississippi/Oxford, was selected from contestants representing eight Mid-South states, that were judged in horsemanship and interview/personality segments. As winner, she received a saddle, crown and $500 educational scholarship. First runner up and winner of the horsemanship competition was Kelsey Hughes, 20, of Primm Springs TN, a junior at University of Tennessee /Martin. The Rodeo Queen Pageant is available for young women ages of 17 to 24. Previously, Simpson was Sasca Queen, Briarwood Saddle Club Queen and Frontier Princess and is a member of the American Quarter HorseAssociation and National Barrel Horse Association. In addition to completing her Senior year at Ole Miss, she is a disc jockey intern for Ole Miss Rebel Radio. Rodeo Queen of the Mid-South contestants must be single, and a legal resident of Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky or Tennessee. The ability to ride and handle a horse counts for 55% of the total score with interview/appearance/personality at 45%. Contestants are required to individually perform an American Quarter Horse Association reining pattern on their own horse. As a group, contestants are also judged on railwork. Three judges score horsemanship and three different judges score personality/interview. Rodeo Queen of the Mid South Pageant is presented by: Lincoln Glass Company, Inc.; Allen & Hoshall, Inc.; Miss Rodeo Tennessee; Cowboy Corner; Lynn Doyle Flowers; Running Pony Productions; Van's Leathercraft; and The Awards Place. The 2008 Queen Pageant and Rodeo of the Mid-South will be held September 19 & 20, 2008. For more information, contact pageant coordinator Trena Packer Street, by e-mail at tpstreet@comcast.net or 901.487.5916.