TULSA, Okla. – Kelly Resheske combined her poise, appearance, communication skills and horsemanship into the 2010 Miss Pinto Of America title during a pageant held at the Pinto Horse Show Association’s World Championship Show June 8-19.

The 18-year-old Reche Canyon resident, who has trained with Jerry and Shelley Lunde of Norco since 2006, became a PtHA member three years ago and is a member of her local charter, High Desert Pinto. She was the High Desert group’s first queen, representing them as “Miss High Desert Pinto” 2010 -2011, when President Fral Lelli and Sector Director Laura Fowler encouraged her to run for the title of Miss Pinto of America.

She also showed two of her Lunde Show Horses-trained Pintos at the PtHA World Championships, William Potter and Certified Stride — earning Top Five with both. She rode William Potter in the pageant classes.

“He is such an awesome all-around horse and just a general good guy,” Resheske said of her 8-year-old gelding. “I love him.”

Her mother says that once her entry was accepted at the National office, life changed.

“We are all proud of her,” said Sandi Resheske. “The competition was way harder than we ever imagined. Kelly is very excited as to what the upcoming year holds for her.”

Resheske won the pageant, which originated in 1956, by virtue of capturing the best cumulative score after seven divisions, including riding ability in both English and western equitation, public speaking, Miss Appearance, Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality (voted on by the contestants), Miss Hipology (knowledge of horses and Pinto), Miss Personality and finally Personal Interview where each girl was privately interviewed by three judges. She won four divisions — English Equitation, Miss Personality, Miss Appearance and Miss Personal Interview.

If there will a pang in her 2010 reign this year, it will stem from the PtHA’s decision to end the program after 2010, a victim of tight economic times.

“We are devastated to see Pinto end their Queen contest,” said Sandi. “Kelly’s goal is to hopefully make Pinto see the benefits of keeping the contest alive.”

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