Clovis Rodeo's 'Queen Mother'

Eva Pollard makes sure all contestants are well taken care of in battle for the crown

By Josh Lopez / Special To The Independent Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2008

Her official title is director, but to contestants in the Clovis Rodeo Queen competition, Eva Pollard is known as the "Queen Mother."

Pollard's enthusiasm and respect for both rodeo and Clovis have molded past queens, who attribute their character and successes in life to Pollard.

Holly Andrus, 2002 Miss Clovis Rodeo, said Pollard "makes you want to be a better person."

"She's awesome," Andrus, 26, said. "She is very classy and elegant. She's like Jackie O. She really cares about the queen contest and she's all about making you a better person and having you grow as a lady.

"She really helped me build character," said Andrus, now the assistant athletic director at Palma High School in Salinas, her hometown.

Born and raised in Clovis, Pollard always held the Clovis Rodeo in high esteem.

"I've loved it my whole life," Pollard, 65, said.

After high school, Pollard became a registered dental assistant in 1962, a job she held for 27 years.

In 1976, the Clovis Rodeo Queen competition entered Pollard's life again, when a contestant leased her daughter Diane's horse for the horsemanship event.

Pollard became interested in the Clovis Rodeo Queen competition once more, and in 1981 she was elected as a member of the Clovis Rodeo Association. In 1985 she became a director, responsible for the queen competition. Like the other members, she is a volunteer.

The competition has four dimensions: poise, personality and appearance (50 percent of the total score), horsemanship (40 percent), scholastics (5 percent) and ticket sales (5 percent).

Pollard defines poise as one's ability to handle a troubled situation, like when the contestants have to answer questions during their personal interviews.

"It's not just something you jump into because you want to have a good time," Pollard said. "There's a lot of work that goes into it."

Pollard said the horsemanship event can be troubling because a contestant must compete with a partner -- her horse -- who may not always be in a cooperative mood.

The competition's winner gets the title of Miss Clovis Rodeo, scholarships and other prizes. After the rodeo, Pollard chaperones the queen to other rodeos and events.

Kadee Coffman, 2004 Miss Clovis Rodeo, said Pollard was almost like a second mom to her during her year as queen.

"She's a phenomenal woman," Coffman, 22, said. "She has so much to give and offer young ladies who want to be successful and who want to promote the sport of rodeo.

"She was a role model for me not only before Miss Clovis Rodeo, but after and even to this day."

Coffman is a host and co-producer for the television show "TV Horse Source" on RFD-TV. She was also Miss California Rodeo Salinas in 2005, and Miss Rodeo California in 2007. She attributes her success to Pollard's standards and teachings.

"She will always leave a lasting impression in my life for a woman who has nothing but class, grace and professionalism in everything she does."

One event Miss Clovis Rodeo attends every year on Valentine's Day is the Salute to Hospitalized Veterans at Veterans Administration Hospital in Fresno.

When Pollard first accompanied Miss Clovis Rodeo at the event, the coordinator asked her if her queen had any talents like song or dance. Pollard replied that her queen's talent was horsemanship, a skill that isn't easily demonstrated in a hospital.

So Pollard improvised.

"I had my girls do cowboy poetry," Pollard said.

Pollard said cowboy poetry is like a country song, but it focuses on the true life of a cowboy, giving such advice as "don't squat with your spurs on."

"It's wonderful, wonderful fun, entertaining stuff," Pollard said.

Andee Patterson, 1995 Miss Clovis Rodeo, appreciates the opportunity she had to serve as an ambassador for the rodeo.

"I'm proud to represent the town of Clovis wherever I go," Patterson, 32, said. "To me, I still represent them."

Patterson, now an office manager for the Clovis Rodeo arena director, said she attributes her morals and values to Pollard.

"I can't say enough good things about her."

Friendly Faces is an occasional series about people who make Clovis a great place to live. To nominate someone to be profiled in this series, please e-mail Patti J. Lippert at plippert@clovisindepen- dent.com.