Lisbon teen named runner-up at Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen Contest

DES MOINES - A Mount Vernon High School senior was named one of four queen attendants in the senior division of this year's Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen Contest.

Magdalena Dale, 17, of Lisbon, competed in the contest held Friday on day two of the 2017 Iowa State Fair. She qualified for the event by winning the Cedar Rapids Horsemen's Club's Cowgirl Queen Contest in September.

Dale, the daughter of Kate Dale and the late Jonathon Dale, was selected for the final round and named one of four runners-up based on appearance, interview skills and horsemanship. She was awarded $100 and an embroidered director's chair.

Close to 100 girls and their horses competed in the senior division.

Also competing, in the junior division, was Aspen Erenberger, 15, of Solon, who also qualified by winning the local competition held in September.

The daughter of Dan and Mary Erenberger, Aspen finished in the top 20 among nearly 100 competitors.

She is a sophomore at Solon High School.

The Cedar Rapids Horsemen's Club is nonprofit saddle club located near Cedar Rapids. It is open to anyone who would like to join.

The organization hosts a Pleasure Show at 9 a.m. Sunday at Hilltop Arena, 500 W. Main St. in Robins, and a Speed Show at 9 a.m. Aug. 27 at Sandburr Arena, 58 Sutliff Rd. in Lisbon.

In other Iowa State Fair news:

l Sheri Ekstrom of Cedar Rapids was awarded Best of Show in the Counted Thread Techniques contest. Linda Lee Miller of Cedar Rapids claimed Sweepstakes honors.

l Mary Boulet of Cedar Rapids won Best of Show honors in the Handspun Yarn division of the Fabric and Threads contest.

l Solveig Walstrom of Cedar Rapids received Best of Show and Sweepstakes honors in the Needlepoint division of the Fabric and Threads contest.

l Deborah Zeitler of Iowa City won Best of Show honors in the Weaving division of the Fabric and Threads contest. Terry Jones of Iowa City claimed Sweepstakes honors.

Contestants were judged on design, workmanship and finishing. Judging took place before the start of the fair.

The Fabric and Threads exhibits are on display every day of the Fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building.