Vicksburg resident Angel Spivey waves to the crowd after being crowned Miss Rodeo Mississippi Wednesday at the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson.(C. Todd ShermanThe Vicksburg Post?

JACKSON Angel Spivey has to wait a little longer for the belt buckle of her dreams. The buckle, which will be delivered to her next week, matches the crown she’ll wear for the next year as Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2003.

Spivey, 21, was crowned Wednesday night during the finals of the Dixie National Rodeo at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Spivey, a graduate of Chamberlain-Hunt Academy and an advertising secretary at The Vicksburg Post. “I want to promote the horse industry of Mississippi and try to make our state look good.”

Contestants were judged in horsemanship, appearance and personality. For horsemanship, each contestant rides a horse they’ve never ridden around a pattern of barrels at a fast pace. “My horse was pretty high-spirited, but it worked out for the best,” Spivey said.

During interviews, judges ask contestants about horses and their care. There’s a dinner and conversation to judge personality.

In high school, Spivey ran track, played basketball and soccer, and was a cheerleader but her priority was horses. “I’d rather rodeo,” she said. “People around the rodeo become your family. They take care of you and look out for each other.”

Spivey, daughter of Butch and Mary Jane Spivey, graduated from Hinds Community College in December 2002. Complications from knee surgery while she was a sophomore at the University of West Alabama made her come home to Vicksburg to heal.

She plans to become a human and equine chiropractor after her year as Miss Rodeo Mississippi. Until then, she’s traveling to rodeos and getting ready for the Miss Rodeo America competition in Las Vegas in December.

“It’s a great opportunity for her to promote her state,” said Ellen Morgan, state delegate for Miss Rodeo Mississippi and board member of Miss Rodeo Foundation. Miss Rodeo Foundation organizes the pageant and raises money for prizes and travel expenses for each year’s winner.

Spivey will travel to Mississippi rodeos in Tupelo, Hattiesburg and Lauderdale as well as national events, such as the Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“Mississippi has never had a top 10 in the Miss Rodeo America competition,” Morgan said. “It’s something within reach for Angel. She’s going to give it a go.”

“Vicksburg is known for its Miss Mississippi contestants,” said Deborah Tucker, photographer for the Miss Rodeo Foundation. “We hope now, Angel will introduce Vicksburg to Miss Rodeo Mississippi. She’s an ambassador for the state as Miss Rodeo.”