Miss Rodeo America 2008 Pageant

Miss Rodeo America Exhibit Expanded at Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum

Reigning Miss Rodeo America Selena Ulch Views the Newly Expanded Exhibit

WOW ~ what a difference a little space makes!  Thanks to the efforts of PRCA Commissioner Troy Ellerman, the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame's new Executive Director, Larry McCormack, and Julie Jutten from the Hall of Fame staff, the Miss Rodeo America Exhibit has taken on a wonderful new look.  Julie did a wonderful job fitting everything into the exhibit that was provided.  We owe these individuals a huge thank you for allowing the Miss Rodeo America organization the opportunity to showcase some of its heritage in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum.

Included in the exhibit: Dress designed by Nell's Creations for Lori Bortner, Miss Rodeo America 2003; Boots worn by Almabeth Carroll, Miss Rodeo America 1978; Chaps designed by Tim Bath for Sandy Meyer, Miss Rodeo America 1984; Nudies Hollywood suit and belt worn by Karen Lavens, Miss Rodeo America 1962; Saddle won by Chris Vincent, Miss Rodeo America 1970; Lambskin dress design by Western Reflections and worn by Tara Graham, Miss Rodeo America 2001; Chaps worn by Chrissy Sparling, Miss Rodeo America 1989; Trophy presented to Martha Lehmann, Miss Rodeo America 1960 and Miss Rodeo America buckles manufactured by Silver State Silver from Reno, NV and Award Design Medals from Noble, OK.  The exhibit also includes photos of reigning Miss Rodeo America, Selena Ulch and a listing of all 50 Miss Rodeo America's names and the year of their reign.  Several additional items will  be included at a later date including the return of the original Black Hills Gold Tiara presented to Pat Koren, Miss Rodeo America 1965.

Located near the staircase as you enter the main museum exhibit floor, the Miss Rodeo America Exhibit, along with seventeen state title holders and Selena, drew a large crowd of spectators and photographers during the recent Induction Ceremony at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum in Colorado Springs.

COWGIRLS FROM 24 STATES TO COMPETE FOR 2006 MISS RODEO AMERICA CROWN

A 50-year tradition of promoting professional rodeo steps into the next half-century when 24 fabulous young cowgirls compete for the prestigious title of Miss Rodeo America 2006. The 51st Miss Rodeo America will serve a yearlong reign as the official spokesperson for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.  The pageant is set for Nov. 27th – Dec. 3rd in Las Vegas as a glamorous prelude to the famous Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, also held in Las Vegas in December. 

Most of the pageant activities are held at The Orleans, official sponsor and host hotel of the 2006 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. The horsemanship competition on Monday, Nov. 28th will be held at The Excalibur.  A highlight of the pageant is the popular midweek fashion show production, held on Wednesday, Nov. 30th in the Mardi Gras Ballroom of The Orleans Hotel. The contestants model the latest fashions from Wrangler plus a western elegance dress from their personal collection. 

The 2005 Miss Rodeo America Selena Ulch of Sparks, NV, will crown her successor during a formal coronation ceremony to take place on Sat., Dec. 3, 2005 in The Orleans Showroom. A media conference will follow the crowning ceremony. 

Ulch, who has presided as Pro Rodeo’s 50th Miss Rodeo America titleholder, will relinquish her title and responsibilities to the 2006 Miss Rodeo America at the conclusion of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, set for Dec. 2-11, 2005 at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas. 

Contestants vying for the 2006 Miss Rodeo America title include Angela Johnson of Eutaw, Alabama; Amanda Jenkins of Gilbert, Arizona; Kayla Spurlock of Ramona, California; Tressie Knowlton of Fowler, Colorado; Sharlee Rowan of Havana, Florida; Stefanie Glore of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho; Kristin Haase of Denison, Iowa; DeAnna Zemp of Garden City, Kansas; Lacey Hetzel of Jennings, Louisiana; Katie Sharp of Kent City, Michigan; Cari Keyes of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Jillian Lee of Morse Mill, Missouri; Brooke Lynn Vosen of Bozeman, Montana; Alesa Chrisman of North Platte, Nebraska; Kimberly Downs of Las Vegas, Nevada; Brittany Bennett of Portales, New Mexico; Cara Ness of Bismarck, North Dakota; Ashley Van Hoesen of Ponca City, Oklahoma; Camie Johnston of McMinnville, Oregon; Marie Schaller of Woonsocket, South Dakota; Beth Murphy of Weatherford, Texas; Kristan Jo Gibbs of Lewiston, Utah; Nichole Hewitt of Longview, Washington; Cara Turner of Colfax, Wisconsin; and Maggie Engels of Sheridan, Wyoming. 

These young women are in the home stretch of their race to Las Vegas. In addition to serving their respective states during the year as a spokesperson for professional rodeo, they have been preparing diligently to represent their state at the 2006 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. 

Contestants are judged in the major categories of personality, appearance and horsemanship. Each contestant will demonstrate her skills in public speaking, personal interviewing, horsemanship, knowledge of rodeo and general equine science, current event awareness, photogenic qualities, visual poise and overall professionalism.

The primary role of Miss Rodeo America is to promote the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and our Western heritage. She is a liaison between the rodeo fans and the professional rodeo producers, sponsors and contestants. Plus, she is an ambassador to the young rodeo fans and participants of the future. 

In her role as Miss Rodeo America, the new queen will travel extensively representing rodeo via many public appearances at rodeo performances, special events, schools and civic groups.
Plus she will take on the role of model and spokesperson in a variety of promotional events and commercial advertisements for western clothiers, publications, sponsors and other service providers to the western industry. 

Over the 50 years of the pageant’s existence, thousands of dollars have been awarded in educational scholarship money to young women for their contributions to the sport of professional rodeo through the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation. 

Today, nearly $30,000 in educational scholarship money is dispersed to the overall and category winners of the pageant annually. Additionally, Miss Rodeo America and her court win many other significant prizes, made possible by the generous sponsors of the pageant. 

National corporate sponsors of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant include Wrangler Jeans and Shirts, Las Vegas Events, The American Quarter Horse Association, Justin Boots, Resistol Hats, Dodge Trucks, Montana Silversmiths, Dallas Market Center, The Orleans Hotel, Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold Creations, The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Absorbine, Court’s Saddlery and Hobby Horse Clothing Company. 

For more information about the Miss Rodeo America Pageant or the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation, please visit other areas of this website or contact the Miss Rodeo America Pageant office at 27906 Cumbres in Pueblo, CO 81006 or phone 719-948-9206. 

Media relations information can be obtained by email request to rodeotenn@aol.com. Deadline for media credential request is Nov. 1, 2005. 

Photos of the twenty-four contestants can be viewed in the Miss Rodeo America 2006 Contestants photo album.

Chute '05 by Selena Ulch, Miss Rodeo America 2005

Dear Friends,

The dust has not yet settled on the rodeo trail.  The summer run set in, not only for professional rodeo's cowboy and cowgirl competitors, but for myself as well.  My schedule is a testimony, I am racking up frequent flier miles by the day!  In fact, when flying through Denver International Airport last week, two pilots approached me at different times and asked if I traveled frequently because they see me there so often!  I am becoming such a permanent fixture in Denver, we should charge them for an appearance fee!  I have grown accustomed to being on the road, When I spend a few days at home, it doesn't take long before I am chomping at the bit...ready to go again!

On May 29, I boarded a plane to New Mexico where I was invited to be a guest at the Miss Rodeo New Mexico Pageant and the Clovis Rodeo.  The way to my heart is definitely through my stomach.  Rex and Carol Lewis stole my love when they picked me up in Albuquerque during my four hour layover and treated me to dinner.  When it was time for me to leave, it was especially hard because I had just spent four hours with Rex and Carol's precious granddaughters Kylee and Braeden who had greeted me in their Sunday best.  I have to admit, they stole my heart more than the meal!

The Buffalo Bill Rodeo Committee gets the "Warmest Welcome Award".  When I arrived in North Platte, NE I was greeted by their whole rodeo committee, as well as, the newspaper, the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Board and Pageant Contestants, many of the visiting state queens and my loving host family.  While in North Platte I was privileged enough to stay in the cozy home of Bud and Betty Priel who have hosted Miss Rodeo America for several years.  I am sure the other individuals who attended the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Miss Rodeo Nebraska can agree that it was a reunion of old friends.

Become a member of Miss Rodeo America, INC and read all about Selena's travels during her reign.  In the August edition of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant News Selena continues her tales with stories about her travels to New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, Wyoming, and Colorado.  Membership includes a quarterly subscription to the Miss Rodeo America Pageant News.  For more information on becoming a member, contact the Miss Rodeo America business office at (719)948-9206.