The Miss Frontier Texas competition had its second event, “Saddle and Shoot”, on Saturday, which tested contestant’s ability to saddle a horse and shoot a gun.

“Miss Frontier Texas is a scholarship competition for girls in Abilene, college-aged, that compete against each other in different tasks that women would do on the frontier, “said Brenna Jefferies, senior Ad/PR major from Bartonville and account director for Miss Frontier Texas and a former contestant.

“They would saddle a horse, shoot a gun, I had to catch a chicken when I competed,” Jefferies said.

The competition is put on by Frontier Texas, a museum located in downtown Abilene.

“Ultimately they’re competing for the crown of Miss Frontier Texas and a $3,000 scholarship,” Jefferies said.

Contestants will compete in the overnight challenge on April 11. The contestants will have to pitch their own tent and sleep in it outside of Frontier Texas.

“We will make cuts after the overnight challenge on April 11,” Jefferies said.

The contestants that make it past the overnight challenge with enough points will continue into finals that include the frontier obstacle course and the cooking challenge.

“I had such a great experience, I made so many friends,” Jefferies said.

Sierra Reed, freshman kinesiology major from Dripping Springs, is one of 11 contestants in this year’s Miss Frontier Texas competition.

“You really have to know your stuff ahead of time,” Reed said.

Contestants have to do intense research for the written and physical portions of the tests.

“I’ve always loved guns,” Reed said.

Reed was eager for the shooting test and was disappointed to have missed the target.

“The last skill they’re going to test is the cooking,” Reed said.

Contestants are given a list of possible dishes that they will have to prepare over an open stove and a Dutch oven including pork chops, pancakes and eggs and fruit cobbler.

Reed is grateful for the experience and would recommend it to students looking to compete next year.

“You’re all terrified so it’s fun because you’re all in the same boat,” Reed said.