Dixie Roundup mother-daughter duo win Queen title; from then to now

Kaity Bishop, Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen 2014, St. George, Utah, Sept. 2014 | Photo courtesy of Kaity Bishop, St. George News

ST. GEORGE—Over 20 years separates their reigns as Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queens, but mother-daughter duo both said nothing could prepare them for moment they heard their named called for the title.

Newspaper clipping of Julie Larsen Bishop, Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen 1991 | Photo courtesy of Julie Larsen Bishop
Newspaper clipping of Julie Larsen Bishop, Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen 1991, St. George, Utah, circa 1991 | Photo courtesy of Julie Larsen Bishop, St. George News

I don’t think anyone was more surprised than me when I was announced as winner,” said Julie Bishop, previously Julie Larsen, Rodeo Queen 1991. “Don’t get me wrong, I practiced and studied and I did a good job on competition day.  Nothing prepares you for the moment to hear your name echoing in the Sun Bowl.”

For Julie Bishop’s daughter Kaity Bishop, she had also put in the hours of practice to prepare herself for the competition, but said with agreement, “nothing ever prepares you for the feeling of getting announced and realizing all the hard work paid off.” Kaity Bishop was chosen as Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen 2014.

“I will never forget the first buzz run I had in the historic Sunbowl,” Kaity Bishop said, “it’s a memory I will cherish forever.”

Kaity Bishop, Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen 2014, Sept. 2014 | Photo courtesy of Kaity Bishop
Kaity Bishop, Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen 2014, St. George, Utah, May 2014 | Photo courtesy of Kaity Bishop, St. George News

Kaity Bishop always knew her mother was a rodeo queen, but it was never expected of her to compete. There has previously been a dummy in the living room with Julie Bishop’s favorite dress, along with a banner and a buckle on it. Dixie Roundup has always been in the blood of the Bishops. Whether it was a grandfather who was in the Lion’s club, or Julie Bishop as queen coordinator, the Roundup was not an event that would be missed. 

“We got a really broke horse and one day I decided to start riding,” Kaity Bishop said. “I came home and told my mom I wanted to try out for the Dixie Roundup before I had even loped on a horse. I can’t tell you how much rodeo knowledge, horsemanship and public speaking skills I learned in the time span of a month.”

Having a mother who was a previous queen and queen coordinator added pressure to Kaity Bishop, but also was a major source of knowledge, tips, tricks and help.

Julie Bishop said her daughter has far surpassed her and the fun “chasing white lines going to rodeos.” Julie Bishop taught her daughter everything she knows about the rodeo and queening.

I can’t even begin to say how lucky I am to have had a rodeo queen mom,” Kaity Bishop said. “My mom has always supported me in everything I do, whether it be softball, cheer, tennis and of course rodeo and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Kaity Bishop, 2014 St. George Lions Dixie Round Up Queen, poses with her Julie Larsen Bishop and family, Dixie Sun Bowl, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Aspen Stoddard, St. George News
Kaity Bishop, 2014 St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen, poses with her mother, Julie Larsen Bishop, and family, Dixie Sunbowl, St. George, Utah, May 1, 2014 | Photo by Aspen Stoddard, St. George News

Since being crowned in May, Kaity Bishop has been to two states, been in 11 rodeos, five parades and “put over 3,000 miles on the old dodge chasing white lines on the rodeo trail,” she said.

Traveling countless miles with her daughter this summer is exactly what Julie Bishop did 23 years ago in the summer of ’91 after she was crowned. She traveled to many other rodeos as visiting royalty. In 1991, Julie Bishop went to Miss Rodeo Utah and was awarded the Miss Congeniality title and took home a scholarship to Southern Utah University.

Other than the fashion and the hair, not a ton has changed, Julie Bishop said.

“The fashion has evolved and I like their hair a lot better now than my era,” Julie Bishop said. “Biggest difference at the rodeo is my year was still on grass. Now they haul in dirt to the Sunbowl which is a lot safer for the (livestock).”


Read more, see photos: Contestants on horseback dazzle crowd, 2 gallop their way to royalty


Event details and resources

  • What: St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo 2014
  • When:  Sept. 11-13 | Gates open at 6 p.m. | Entertainment 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Where:  Historic St. George Sunbowl,  150 South 400 East, St. George
  • Cost: General admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children | Reserved seating $15
  • Contacts: Email | Telephone 435-632-2136
  • Websites: St. George Lions | Rodeo

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