CROWNING MOMENTS

It’s been a busy but fulfilling year for Kaitlyn Maria — our 2025 New Mexico State Fair Queen.

While the Jarales native will be relinquishing her crown next weekend as her reign comes to an end, she is grateful for the chance to represent her state, her county, rodeo and her culture.

“It’s been amazing,” said Kaitlyn, who is also a member of the Navajo Nation. “I’ve had so many opportunities I never thought I’d have. I’ve traveled a lot, and I’ve met a lot of new faces, which is absolutely fantastic.”

She said because of her position as state fair queen, she’s also been able to reconnect with friends she hasn’t seen in years.

As part of her responsibilities over the past year, Kaitlyn represented the sport of rodeo as well as the New Mexico State Fair. She was tasked to give as much knowledge of the fair to people around the state as possible.

“I traveled a lot to different rodeos, and I went to several schools, which was a lot of fun,” she said. “I’ve been in tons of parades — we’ve been so busy! (This past weekend) was the only weekend off in a few months.”

Even though Kaitlyn has been the New Mexico State Fair queen for a whole year, she’s still getting used to it, adding that the experience has been life-changing.

“It’s been phenomenal,” Kaitlyn said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better year.”

The self-described introvert and lifelong tom boy, Kaitlyn said she’s ready to get back into her jeans full-time, start her career as an electrician (after she passed her exam) and ....

“I’ve learned a lot about myself, my personality,” she said. “I was always told not to ease up on my personality, but in the end, the more you show who you are the better. I feel a lot of people know me and my humor more now than they did before.”

Kaitlyn also learned about others, and how it’s up to her to put her self out there if she wants to send a message.

“I learned that a lot of people won’t come up to you to engage in conversation, so it’s up to you to go out there and start them,” she said. “Once you start introducing yourself, you can have a meaningful competition.”

While some might think her title is simply a that of a beauty queen, it’s not. It’s much more.

Kaitlyn won her title after competing against six other women for the state fair crown, which was much more intense than when she competed and won the 2023-24 Valencia County Rodeo Queen title.

A 2022 Belen High School and 2024 Central New Mexico College graduate, Kaitlyn prepared for more than a year before the competition, which was two separate days of horsemanship, in which they had to do a front-pattern and freestyle pattern each day, as well as the horsemanship interview each day.

Along with her horsemanship, Kaitlyn had to know all the aspects of a PRCA rodeo as well as horse anatomy, and had to take a written test about the state of New Mexico, rodeo, the state fair and you also have to answer personal questions.

“Compared to beauty queens, we’re a lot different. We have horsemanship and everything that has to do with rodeo,” she said. “It’s so much different. We’re not all glitz and glam; we’re down and dirty. We’re the ones mucking the stalls early in the morning, getting our horses ready.”

As the New Mexico State Fair begins this weekend, she has a little advice for Valencia County Rodeo Queen Taylor Rolan, who will be competing for Maria’s title.

“I was able to talk to her at my clinic,” Kaitlyn said. “I told her that the biggest thing was to be herself, show her personality because you can’t be someone you’re not. The judges will see right through that.

“She’s doing good. I have a lot of hope for her. I want her to show her full personality, not what she thinks people want to see.”

Kaitlyn has had a lot of people in her corner, but she specifically points to her mother, Lisa, and father, Donavan, and sister, Hannah.

“My mom traveled with me everywhere,” Kaitlyn said. “She’s been phenomenal. She gets my outfits and jewelry together, and puts little note tags on them, telling me what jewelry goes with what outfit.”

Her dad has continued to help Kaitlyn with her horse — sort of like her personal stable hand, she jokes.

“All this wouldn’t be possible with out them,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am right now. I’d probably be half dressed with boots on different feet.”

Kaitlyn is also grateful to her grandparents, who have supported her throughout this year, and through her whole life.

As Kaitlyn prepares to say goodbye to her crown, she’s a bit sad it’s coming to an end, but she will always remember what she’s learned and how she made a difference.

“I’ve learned responsibility, I’ve learned compassion and I’ve learned about myself and the rodeo,” she said. “I’ve got to be a part of the PRCA, and everything is planned to a tee. It’s not only learning about rodeo, it’s learning about family. It’s not just a sport, it’s a big ol’ family.”

As for what comes next, Kaitlyn is preparing to take her electrician journeyman’s license test. She’s excited what the future brings.

“I’m planning on entering the PRCA Turquoise Circuit, which is another level of rodeo queening. It’s a little higher than state fair — it’s across the state and Arizona,” she explained.

“I’m very grateful for the experience and the opportunities awarded to me,” she said. “It shows people that someone from a little town can win. You don’t have to be from a big city to win. You just have to have the passion.”