Christina Krawiecki always wanted to be the county fair’s rodeo queen and, in her own words, “the dream finally came true.”

“It’s definitely something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” she said.

Krawiecki, the 2009 Miss Kitsap Fair & Stampede, competed in last year’s contest, but fell one place shy of the crown, taking first runner-up.

Krawiecki, daughter of Jurgen and Susan Krawiecki of Port Orchard, took the crown in April and has kept busy ever since.

“I’ve had a rodeo almost every weekend,” she said.

The 17-year-old South Kitsap High School student has traveled around Washington and Oregon representing Kitsap County at various fairs, rodeos and public events.

While visiting other fairs is fun, Krawiecki said she’s ready for next week’s Kitsap County Fair & Stampede because “none will compare to our own.”

“I’m very excited. It’ll be very busy,” she said.

Krawiecki will spend the week showing national rodeo queens around the fair, serving meals to the cowboys and participating in 4-H functions.

“I know I’m packed everyday,” she said.

Krawiecki was born in Bremerton, but when she was 18 months old, her family moved to a small island off the coast of Sardinia, Italy called La Maddalena. She was put on her first horse in Italy and her parents bought her an appaloosa when she was 12.

Krawiecki and her horse, Blue, ride in many styles, including Western, English, Jumping, Gaming and Eventing.

Krawiecki has been a member of 4-H for six years and is currently president of her group.

She was the 2006 Kitsap Saddle Club Queen.

She is a member of SKHS’ National Honor Society and enjoys track and field, German club and photography. Aside from horses, her other interests are skiing, hiking, traveling and spending time at the ocean.

After high school, Krawiecki plans to attend college where she will pursue a degree in equine management.