HCLS Queen and Princess competition grows

2025 Henderson County Livestock Show is underway

(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)

The 2025 HCLS Youth Horse Show got underway today, kicking off the week's activity out at the Fair Park Complex.

But this year's Henderson County Livestock Show started in a big way Saturday night on the other side of town at the Athens Country Club when the Queen and Princess were crowned.

For a guy who spent years watching HCLS royalty get crowned on the dirt in the arena, it was quite a change. The main room at the Country Club was packed with more than 200 supporters cheering on 18 contestants from across all disciplines of the show.

The change in venue reflected a change in the rules — horsemanship is no longer a requirement to be Queen or Princess. By opening up the competition, HCLS organizers made space for more young ladies to take part.

It’s been three or four years since the rules changed, but this year is when I really noticed the effect.

The contest was bigger and more inclusive, bringing in not just more girls, but more families into the Livestock Show circle.

And that might be the most HCLS thing I know — bringing people from around the county together to celebrate kids.

Well, that and making sure to bring along the younger generation.

So congratulations to Saturday night's Little Miss HCLS contestants: Addison Baker, Charli Baker, Lindleigh Carver, Morgan Fernandez, Baylor Hesseltine, Sophia Sinclair, and Rylee Bee Tindel.

And congratulations to this year's HCLS Court: Queen Charli Hudler and Princess Reese Ann Tapan. Also Queen Runner-Up Alek Green and Princess Runner-Up Brianna Brown of LaPoynor FFA.

Also competing Saturday night were princesses Loraina Lane, Skylar Sinclair, Brooklynn Nelson, Natilee Latimer, Ryann Shultz, Anna Newman, Quinlee Roberts, Maggie Lane, and Lexi Jennings; queens Skye'Lann White, Chelsea Rivera, Lynlee Tanksley, Kennedy Ard, and Tatum Todd.