Now in its 22nd year, the 101 Ranch Rodeo Queen contest has attracted six contestants this year, according to Robin Smith, president of the Ponca City Business and Professional Women's Club, sponsors of the queen contest.

The annual competition will be held during the 101 Ranch Rodeo Aug. 17-19 at the rodeo grounds, west of the city, Smith said. She is being assisted with the competition by Darlene Harrison, Linda Mauk, Debbie Loch, Terri Clinton and Teresa Fisher.

The 1988 101 Ranch Rodeo Queen, Tina Bales, will be on hand for the opening parade and to assist members of the BPW club with the queen competition.

The 22-year-old Tina was crowned Miss Rodeo Oklahoma in November 1988 at the Prairie Circuit Rodeo Finals held in Guthrie. In addition to her title, Bales was awarded the horsemanship category trophy of the pageant. She represented Ponca City's 101 Ranch Rodeo as queen in the state  competition.

Queen Tina will appear with Sam Smith, local horseman, on Channel 5's Good Morning Oklahoma from 6 to 7 a.m. on Aug. 15.

A senior at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, she is currently- employed at 3M Company in Weatherford. Last August she completed training at Louisiana Downs as an Equine Electro-Acuscope Therapist and is a practitioner.

This December Bales will return to Guthrie to compete for Miss Rodeo America, hoping to become the first Oklahoma cowgirl to capture that prestigious honor. "Winning the title will allow me to represent the professional sport of rodeo nationwide and I welcome having that opportunity," Queen Tina explains.

For the second year, the Queen's luncheon and style show, Aug. 19, will be open to the public. Smith said tickets may be purchased for $10 until Aug. 17 through the Chamber of Commerce office. Judging of the queen contestants' horsemanship skills will also be open to the public on Friday at 6:45 p.m. in. the rodeo arena.

Smith said queen contestants are due to arrive in Ponca City at 11 o'clock on the opening day of the 101 Ranch Rodeo, Aug. 17, and will ride in the parade through downtown Ponca City at 5 o'clock that evening.

They will also ride in the grand entry each night at the rodeo and participate in the coronation of the 1989 101 Ranch Rodeo Queen midway through the rodeo on Saturday night.

The queen contestants will be judged 50 percent on horsemanship, 25 percent on personality and 25 percent on poise and appearance.

The winning queen will receive a handmade trophy saddle from Grace Memorial Chapel, courtesy of Forrest Miles; a silver buckle from Jim Snow at The Windjammer in memory of Warren Aven, and a dozen roses from Creative Flowers, as well as a trophy, courtesy Sam Smith's Quarterhorses.

The first runner-up in the competition will receive $100 Savings bond and a silver buckle. $75 savings bonds will go to the second and third runner-up, as well as silver buckles. Miss Congeniality will receive a $50 savings bond and a trophy, courtesy of Stacie Crouch.

Savings Bonds will be furnished by Ponca City Clearing House, which includes First National Bank, Security Bank & Trust Co., Pioneer Bank & Trust Co., American National Bank and Heartland Federal Savings.

The belt buckles will be provided by Group 1 Realtors, first runner-up; Fisher's Paint and Body Shop, second runner-up, and Dawson and Hart Smith of Cornerstone Restaurant, third runner-up.

The Ponca City FFA School Barn will furnish stables for the queen contestants' horses and judges accommodations will be provided by John Sutton and the Marland Mansion.

Dining accommodations will be supplied bt Dawson and Hart Smith of the Kettle; Rod Trant of El Palacio, and Pizza Hut. The Rodeo Foundation will host the queen's luncheon on Saturday at the Ponca City Country Club.

The queen contestants will be entertained by members of the Ponca City BPW Club while in Ponca City, Smith said. For further information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce office.