A Note from the Director
We had an absolutely incredible 2023 pageant and look forward to all that’s in store for future years. We welcomed 8 incredible contestants, 5 state queens, and half a dozen local titles. It was a pleasure to host these ladies. Stay tuned for big announcements regarding our 2024 pageant. Pageant Director, Kelsey Smith kelsey@brandcatalystco.com 479-426-754
Pageant Qualifications
The Rodeo of the Ozarks Queen Pageant is a 60-year tradition featuring title-holders and contestants from the four-state area during four days of professional rodeo queen pageantry. Contestants compete in horsemanship, speech, interviews, appearance, and personality categories.The pageant is held in conjunction with the Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale, AR. Who will carry on the tradition?
- Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks (ages 18 – 24. Age as of June 21, 2023)
- Jr. Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks (ages 14-17. Age as of June 21, 2023)
- Must be a resident of Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, or Oklahoma
- Must be unmarried and not have had a child
- Contestants must ride the same horse during all events of the pageant
- All candidates should assess their availability June 2023 – June 2024 to serve as an ambassador for Rodeo of the Ozarks. We ask that ladies make at least 12 rodeo or event appearances during their reign.
Pageant Details & FAQ
As contestants ask questions, we will be adding answers to this FAQ so that information is available to all running.
Our pageant is unique in that we get to have the pageant in conjunction with the Rodeo of the Ozarks! Contestants will be introduced during the grand entry and during a queen run (generally after saddle bronc riding in the run of the show). Arena attire can consist of a western shirt, vest, monochromatic outfit, or blue jeans. Everyone who enters the gates MUST be in a western button-down, hat, and belt. Out Dash Em’ Photography has been the rodeo photographer for the past few years, you can search through archives to find images of previous years’ contestants for examples of rodeo arena attire. Click to view
No. In the past, we had entries fees sponsored by an equine/ ranch sponsor. This business would receive mention during the rodeo and the contestant would wear a sash throughout the pageant. The sashes themselves take up over half of the entry fee, therefore we will not be having equine/ ranch sponsors for contestants. Contestants will be assigned a number. Ladies may decide to have a sponsor but must promote them on their platforms or by methods which they decide independently.
We are still finishing our 2023 prize list but the current list is available here!
Contestants will receive the horsemanship pattern with their speech topic which will be distributed via email after registration is closed. We will begin horsemanship by doing a coronation run-through. This allows all contestants to be prepared for a clean and confident run of show on Saturday.
The current Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks will set the pattern. Contestants will complete the pattern in their numbered order. After their pattern, girls will dismount, approach the judges, and be asked a set of horsemanship-related questions for a short horsemanship interview.
Contestants will also be judged on their queens run each night of the rodeo. This score will be factored into the overall horsemanship points.
This is a really fun event where we host kids who have special needs for a morning of equine/rodeo-related activities. The attendees will get to learn how to rope, ride a horse, and participate in other similar events. Visiting royalty, contestants, and reining queens will engage with attendees, sign autograph, and helps at booths as needed. This is an outdoor activity and is usually warm so you may avoid leather tops and other thick materials! We like to recommend fun, youthful-colored attire for this event as the kids really enjoy the bright colors!
Last year, we hosted a luncheon. This year our luncheon has been moved to a brunch format on Saturday, June 24 at 10:00 AM. Ladies should were formal western wear. Contestants will model directly followed by their speeches. Spectators can enjoy coffee and light brunch foods. This event will be ticketed and open to the public at the Community Building at the stadium.
Meet 2022 Jr. Miss
Rodeo of the Ozarks
Faith Roten is the 15 year-old-daughter of Seth and Crystal Roten of Goshen, Arkansas. She attends Fayetteville High School and is active in the FFA Chapter. Faith has a variety of equine experiences and interests. She rides English, has shown jumper horses and competes in AQHA western pleasure. Faith owns 8 horses and enjoys competing in barrels, poles, and has even ridden ranch saddle broncs. After graduation, she aspires to attend college at Oklahoma State University with a major in Animal Science to become a large animal veterinarian. Faith has attended Rodeo of the Ozarks since she was 4 years old and always looked up to the cowgirls with a crown! Since then, she knew she one day wanted to be a rodeo queen.
Faith Roten is excited to represent her hometown rodeo for her first rodeo queen title and the first ever Jr. Queen title holder at Rodeo of the Ozarks.
