Californian wins Miss Rodeo America 2009

LAS VEGAS — The results are in, the points tallied, and the next Miss Rodeo America has been crowned. The 2009 leading lady of professional rodeo is Maegan Ridley, of Alta Loma, Calif.

Ridley served as Miss Rodeo California 2008, and during the next year, She will travel over 100,000 miles representing Miss Rodeo America, Inc. and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Miss Rodeo America 2008, Amy Wilson, of Colby, Kan., will fulfill her duties at the 50th anniversary of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Ridley will be introduced as the 2009 Miss Rodeo America at the 4th performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2008. She will begin making appearances at rodeo across the country in January.

“As Miss Rodeo America I will show everyone why my heroes have always been cowboys,” Ridley said. “ What an honor it will be to prove the American cowboy is alive and well.”

Aside from her rodeo interests, Ridley is pursuing an Associate of Science Degree in Anatomy and Physiology with focus on Speech Language Pathology. Her further educational goals are to obtain a Master of Speech Language Pathology with concentration on rehabilitation. Ridley will be able to put to good use, the $10,000 educational scholarship she will receive at the completion of her reign.

Ridley was also awarded a wardrobe of Wrangler Jeans, Justin Boots, Bailey Hats , fully tooled Court’s Saddle with custom Miss Rodeo America conchos and an official Miss Rodeo America trophy buckle from Montana Silversmiths. Accompanying the perpetual Miss Rodeo America tiara made by Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold Creations she was given a wardrobe of matching jewelry. These items, along with a multitude of other valuable and exquisite prizes will be presented to her throughout the year.

Contestants were judged in the major categories of horsemanship, personality, and appearance, competing in the areas of public speaking, personal interviews, modeling, photogenic and rodeo/equine knowledge. Contestants were eligible for $38,500 in scholarships at the 2009 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. In addition to the $10,000 Miss Rodeo America scholarship, Ridley was also awarded the Appearance category, including $1,500 scholarship and a Montana Silversmiths Buckle Purse.

Ridley is looking forward to seeing all aspects or rodeo while traveling across the country as Miss Rodeo America 2009. “Life doesn’t always stand tied at the hitching post, sometimes you have to get a lope after it,” Ridley said in reference to her hard work and preparation for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

Below is a complete listing of awards presented at the 2009 Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

Miss Rodeo America Inc. – An organization developed in 1955 striving to provide a quality Miss Rodeo America competition, enrich the lives of contestants and each year select a qualified young lady as Miss Rodeo America to serve as a goodwill ambassador promoting the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Western traditions.

Miss Rodeo America 2009 Results

Miss Rodeo America: Miss Rodeo California, Megan Ridley

Top Five Finalists:

First Runner-up: Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Stacy Jo Johnson

Second Runner-up: Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Tara Trask

Third Runner-up: Miss Rodeo Colorado, Megan Grieve

Fourth Runner-up: Miss Rodeo Utah, Renae Cowley

Regional Awards

Western Region Scholarship – Nichole Andrews, Miss Rodeo Oregon, Scappoose, Ore.

Central Region - Avery Gonzales, Miss Rodeo Texas, Kosse, Texas.

Eastern Region Scholarship – Carly Ray Hagey, Miss Rodeo Illinois, Tremont, Ill.

Category Awards

Appearance – Maegan Ridley, Miss Rodeo California from Alta Loma, Calif.

Personality – Stacy Jo Johnson, Miss Rodeo Wyoming from Laramie, Wyo.

Horsemanship – Casey Rose, Miss Rodeo Arizona from Yuma, Ariz.

Speech – Stacy Jo Johnson, Miss Rodeo Wyoming from Laramie, Wyo.

Photogenic – Shelby Rivera, Miss Rodeo Hawaii from Hilo, Hawaii.

Rodeo Knowledge Written Test – Anna Bavor, Miss Rodeo Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev.

Other Awards

Congeniality – Stacy Jo Johnson, Miss Rodeo Wyoming from Laramie, Wyo.

Raeana Wadhams Spirit Award – Tara Trask, Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Wall, S.D.

Original Chaps Award – Carly Ray Hagey, Miss Rodeo Illinois, Tremont, Ill.

Achievement Award (most funds raised for the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation Drawing) – Anna Bavor, Miss Rodeo Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev.

$1,000 Random Scholarship Winners

Kristin Killion, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Chickasaw, Okla.

Jenna Nelson, Miss Rodeo Kansas, Garden City, Kan.

Aleigh Beahm, Miss Rodeo Iowa, Woodbine, Iowa.

Leah Wedl, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin, Tomah, Wis.

Scrapbook Awards

1st Place - Janelle Schlobohm, Miss Rodeo Missouri.

2nd Place -Tara Trask, Miss Rodeo South Dakota.

3rd Place - Dilynn Dodd, Miss Rodeo Arkansas.

4th Place - Nichole Andrews, Miss Rodeo Oregon.

More pageant gallery : missrodeo.com