As Miss Rodeo Kansas and Princess contestants modeled their outfits Wednesday during the style show, past queens could be heard talking about how the pageant has changed throughout the years.

Several former Miss Rodeo Kansas queens attended the luncheon to help celebrate the pageant's 40th anniversary. Among those present at the luncheon included 1963 Miss Rodeo Kansas queen Franchone DeArmond Myers the first Miss Rodeo Kansas.

During the style show past queens were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about what they have seen change with the pageant throughout the years.

While most agreed the pageant itself is much the same, the outfits the contestants and queens wear have become more glamorous and the look of the belt buckles have changed.

"Most of the suits we wore were hand made," Myers said in an interview following the pageant.

Myers, who currently lives in Stratford, Okla., was crowned in Strong City, during the Flint Hills Rodeo. At that time the queen traveled to rodeos in the state, rode in the grand entries and help promote rodeo much as the queens do today. But for most of the rodeos the queens traveled with their own horse.

Compared to today, the queen travels to not only rodeos across the state but they also travel to other state rodeos. And unless they are going to a rodeo close to their home, they generally don't travel with a horse.

"There is a lot of traveling," said current Miss Rodeo Kansas Sara-Ann Haney. "I have spoke at schools, signed autographs and even traveled to out of state rodeos."

And whether the queen rode their own horse or a stock contractor's horse the two queens agreed they enjoyed the horsemanship competition the most.

"I am most comfortable on the saddle of a horse," Haney said. "We are a team."

While both have enjoyed their experiences as Miss Rodeo Kansas, they agree the competition has helped them grow professionally.

"I have grown up a lot," Haney said. "I have met so many people. I think the experience will help me in the future with interviews."

They also both agree the job of the individual who is named Miss Rodeo Kansas is to promote the sport.

"Promotion is what makes it work," Myers said. "The queen is a good will ambassador."

Haney added, "We wouldn't be here if we didn't love it."

And that same advice the two believe is important for young girls wanting to get into the competition.

"Start in a small pageant, work with it and make sure you like it and love it and are having fun with it," Haney said. "And no matter what you walk away with (in the pageant) it will help you in life."

Myers added, "You need to be able to ride and have speaking skills and need to be able to promote the sport of rodeo."

Myers enjoyed coming back for the luncheon and visiting with former queens but she also enjoyed the event because the week seems like a homecoming, because her three children are competing in the Roundup Rodeo.

"I have always been involved in Rodeo and a lot of my friends are involved," Myers said. "It is like a big family. When I go to the National Finals I see kids of kids competing who I know, adding she attends the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas every year.

And while Haney has had a busy week and enjoys the rodeo she is excited about the girls competing, but sad at the same time.

"I'm looking forward to giving the lady in waiting her crown, but when I give her the title in January then that means it is going to be all over with."