Hi! My name is Courtney Thayer and I am so honored to have been picked to be your 2010 Fort Dalles Riders Association’s queen.  When I was little I looked up to the queens in
the parades and rodeos and wished to be just like them, and now finally, I get to be one.
        I am the daughter of Mindi Macnab and Ross Thayer.  I have 1 brother, 2 step brothers and 2 step sisters.  I’m 15 years old and currently a freshman at Dufur High.
      Horses have become an important part of my life and I enjoy being in a great 4-H club that includes them.  I also participate on the Dufur High Schools OHSET team. Currently, I have three horses that I just love.  Maxie is my oldest horse on whom I learned to ride, show and game.  She is 23 and now retired from showing and gaming, but still comes on my beach trips.  Pooh, my palomino is my buddy.  Pooh is my 4-H, barrel racing and parade horse.  Finally, my nana recently gave me a 2½ year old named Princess!  She will be my project horse and I look forward to what we will do.
      So many people have mentored and supported me throughout this journey.  Words can’t
express how grateful I am to have had them help me.  I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am
today without every single one of them.  Thank you to my entire family, mom, dad, grandmas, grandpas, and a very special thank you to Lee Ann Olhieser.  She has been a wonderful mentor, educator & friend.  I am forever grateful.
     I am very excited to spend this upcoming year traveling around the Northwest
representing The Fort Dalles Riders Association.