With the 65th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo right around the corner, rodeo fans and athletes alike are gearing up for a week of non-stop action. Since 1959 this end-of-season Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association championship has brought the best-of-the-best PRCA cowboys, cowgirls, and livestock to the Thomas and Mack Center Arena in Las Vegas to compete to be named rodeo royalty.
But this isn’t the only competition in Las Vegas where athletes give it their all to wear the crown! In conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the highly anticipated, yearly spectacular, the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.
From the Beginning to Now
With roots in Casper, Wyoming the first Miss Rodeo America Pageant debuted in 1955. These days, the yearly pageant is hosted in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada during WNFR week each December. While the location has changed throughout the years, one thing has remained the same, reigning state rodeo queens from across the country bringing their all as they compete for the coveted title of Miss Rodeo America.
Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity
Being named Miss Rodeo America is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that state titleholders prepare for all year long. Throughout the year representing their home state, state rodeo queens travel the country, promoting the sport of rodeo and educating all they meet in rodeo history and rules, the importance of agriculture and ranching, and the beauty of the western lifestyle. An advocate for their state, rodeo queens take great pride in their duties and study throughout the year for their chance to represent these passions as Miss Rodeo America.
MISSION OF MISS RODEO AMERICA, INC.
“The Miss Rodeo America Pageant objective is to select a National Ambassador for the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, its sponsors, and supporters. The primary mission of the process is that she will promote the western culture and way of life by educating the general public on topics including ranching and farming heritage, the agriculture industry, and the sport of rodeo. An additional outcome is to provide educational opportunities for these young women to be prepared for the leadership positions of tomorrow.”
–Courtesy of Miss Rodeo America, INC.
This year’s pageant is not unlike previous years. From December 3rd through the 10th, queens will take the stage and arena by storm as they compete in various areas such as personality, horsemanship, appearance, written tests, interviews, speeches, and more. In between each contest scored by a panel of judges, are exciting and fun opportunities for competitors and audience members alike to enjoy, such as social gatherings, media opportunities, and a fan-favorite, the Miss Rodeo America Justin Boot Parade!
Home of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant
The 2024 Miss Rodeo America Pageant is hosted by Miss Rodeo America, Inc. at the South Point Hotel and Casino. With many aspects of the pageant open to the public; family, friends, and supporters are encouraged to join in on the fun and cheer on their favorite state rodeo queen.
Life as Miss Rodeo America
Once crowned, what does life look like for Miss Rodeo America? Well, there’s no better example than Miss Rodeo America 2023 herself, Miss Kennadee Riggs!
Hailing from Queen Creek Arizona, the former Miss Rodeo Arizona 2022 has spent her year in the MRA spotlight traveling the country and beyond. Her stewardship as America’s top rodeo spokeswoman has even taken her as far as Brazil to the famous Festa so Peã de Barretos! With nearly 150 rodeos visited throughout her reign and thousands of miles traveled, Kennadee has made numerous appearances at schools, community gatherings, and promotional events, as well as appeared in commercial publications and advertisements for western retailers. Through her journey as Miss Rodeo America Kennadee has had the incredible opportunity of sharing the joy of the western lifestyle, educating all in the importance of agriculture and animal husbandry, promoting the sport of rodeo, and serving as a role model for all. In addition to her travels, Kennadee is the creator and host of The Kindness Journal Podcast. Promoting her platform of “Kicking Up Kindness,” Kennadee invites guests to tell kind-deed stories, encouraging all to perform acts of kindness in their everyday lives.
The soon-to-be crowned 2024 MRA winner will follow in the boot-steps of Miss Kennadee Riggs and all former MRA’s, diving cowboy hat-first into this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
See the Miss Rodeo America Pageant Livestream here.
- Miss Rodeo America Horsemanship – Tuesday, December 5, 8:00am Pacific
- Miss Rodeo America Fashion Show – Friday, December 8, 11:30am Pacific
- Miss Rodeo America Coronation – Sunday, December 10, 10:30am Pacific
Livestream presented by: Nutrena
CLN Community & Event Sponsor
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