Hibbs to ride at Iron Legacy

RITZVILLE – Saddle up.

The Iron Legacy Ranch will host a fundraiser Sunday, Oct. 2, to help Miss Rodeo Washington Lexy Hibbs.

The event will run from 1-5 p.m. at the ranch, 651 N. Benzel Road.

"Lexy is competing for Miss Rodeo America, and in the month of October she has to do an arena pattern on 50 different horses," the ranch's Heidi Tracy said in an email Friday. "So, ILR is going to saddle all their rideable horses and get her well on her way to 50 horses."

Tracy and rancher Phil Peterson are hoping residents will pony up to help Miss Rodeo Washington cover her costs in representing Washington's rich rural areas.

The event is open to the public; admission is by donation.

Riding all of the ranch's horses is expected to take the queen about two hours.

"After Lexy is done riding, she will share with you all what it means to be a queen, why queens are important to rodeo, and how queening has grown her personally," Tracy said, noting Hibbs will also take time for questions and sign autographs for rodeo fans, young and old alike.

Peterson said the event is geared for aspiring rodeo queens as well as rural youth who enjoy working and riding horses.

Anyone planning to attend the event should RSVP to [email protected].

Hibbs, 23, is the daughter of Dean and Patty Hibbs of Richland and a graduation of Washington State University with a bachelor degree in viticulture and enology, with a minor in horticulture.

Outside of rodeo, she works as a viticulturist at Gooseridge Estate Vinyard and Winery in Benton City, where she oversees operations of a 2,000-acre farm.

Hibbs first took to horses riding a quarter horse at age 7. Over the years, she has competed in numerous equine disciplines including 4H, equestrian vaulting, dressage, jumping and rodeo queen pageants.