Ashlee has been a cowgirl since she fell in love with horses at 5 years old, like most little girls.  However, her “horse phase” never faded away.  Her uncle purchased her horse back riding lessons at 6 years old.  At Hill Croft Acres, she learned how to ride English.  With learning English, she also learned how to jump, and ride dressage.  When Ashlee was 7, she rode in a western saddle for the first time.  Shortly after, Hill Croft Acres closed, and Ashlee wanted to continue riding.  When she turned 8, she joined the 4-H group Rough Riders.  Like all 4-H projects, Ashlee learned even more about riding Western, and also continued to ride English.  She competed in her first show at 8 years old, riding her 17 year-old mare, Wimpy.  She and Wimpy won many honors, including several Reserve and Grand Championships until it was time to retire Wimpy at age 21.        

Over the many years in 4-H, Ashlee honed her skills on horseback, hoping one day to train her own horse.  She accomplished this goal when she was 15.  She purchased her horse Cash, a paint gelding, which she competed on for Miss Laramie Jubilee Days Lady-In-Waiting.  Ashlee and Cash grew together into an unbeatable pair in riding Gymkana, particularly barrel racing. 

Since high school Ashlee has been attending the University of Wyoming .  At the University, she competed with the UW Rodeo team for her first 2 years.  She learned how to rope steers and calves.  While she is no longer on the rodeo team, she continued to barrel race competitively. 

Ashlee has grown very quickly over the last few years.  Just last summer she completed an internship on Trout Creek Ranch, in Cody , Wyoming .  At the ranch she learned more about irrigating, and training horses for reining, working cow horse, and cutting.  At the close of her internship, she realized she was luckier than she realized.  She had the privilege over the years to perfect her riding skills in almost every area involving competitive horse back riding. 

She is particularly excited about being Miss Laramie Jubilee Days 2009.  Being a rodeo queen has brought Ashlee to realize how important it is to promote the sport of Rodeo, and preserve agriculture.  The West is a fast growing suburban area, whereas the majority of the populations have never been introduced to Rodeo or agriculture.  It is important for people to realize how much of an impact agriculture has on the economy and life..  Ashlee hopes to help educate the public with her BS in Animal and Veterinary Sciences while promoting the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and agriculture.