Las Vegas Weekly

December 6, 2008 · 4:29 PM

Exclusive & Photo Gallery: Miss Rodeo America pageant crowns its queen

By Robin Leach

Miss Rodeo America.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

The tension, excitement and nail biting is the same as any other beauty pageant. But don’t go looking for ball gowns and dainty high-heeled shoes or swimsuits at the Miss Rodeo America pageant. Here the contestants have to know their cowgirl stuff and not only write it down for the judges but also prove their horsemanship skills!

This year’s coronation at The Orleans Hotel today produced a surprise with the winner coming from California and not Texas or real cowboy country! Congratulations to Miss Rodeo California Maegan Ridley for becoming the new 2009 crowned queen!

The first runner-up was Stacy Jo Johnson of Wyoming, second runner-up was Tara Trask of South Dakota, third runner-up was Megan Girve of Colorado, and fourth runner-up was Ranae Cowley of Utah.

Our Miss Rodeo Nevada Anna Bavor won the Rodeo Written Test Award. Miss Arizona Casey Rose won the saddle trophy for Best Horsemanship Award, and the Spirit Award went to Tara Trask of South Dakota.

Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was on hand for the pageant ceremonies, and he’ll be back at Thomas & Mack Arena tonight for the third round of the National Finals Rodeo. Be sure to click back here tomorrow for his third night of platinum photos.

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