October 5-19, 2022 • The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News • 25
Royalty Round-Up
With Miss Rodeo Wyoming,
Madelaine McElwee
A
s I am writing this, I
have returned from
the Pendleton Round-Up
and now only have one more
rodeo to attend as Miss Rodeo
Wyoming 2022, the Mountain
States Circuit Finals. It is a
bittersweet feeling for sure.
While I am sad the rodeo
season is coming to a close,
there are plenty of other events
throughout the Fall I will be
able to attend and enjoy. It
all wraps up at the Miss Rodeo
America 2023 pageant in Las Vegas in late November.
I had an appearance in Cody, WY to help with their fundraiser for the
Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and will soon attend the fundraising
auction for the Wyoming Women's Antelope Hunt. After that, I head
to the Converse County Hospital Banquet and followed by a little bit
of a break, which is nice because preparation for the pageant can
be difficult on the road. I have put over 18,000 miles on my F-250
from Laramie Range Ford since I received it in early May, and show
no signs of slowing down. Thrvough the summer I was at a different
rodeo every weekend and was often only home long enough to drop
off my dry cleaning and I pick up what I'd left there the week before!
This month I will have my Miss Rodeo America 2023 Pageant Send-
Off party to help raise funds and morale for the pageant. I didn't come
into this title the normal way, and the outpouring of support I've gotten
from my local community despite this has been phenomenal. I was
awarded 1st runner-up at the Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2022 pageant
last August and was living in Alaska when I got the phone call that
the girl who won had resigned due to health issues. I spent a week
packing, selling my truck, and getting my multi-engine rating (I am a
pilot, by the way) before moving home to fulfill the role of Miss Rodeo
Wyoming 2022.
One thing that is interesting about being a rodeo queen is that
when it comes down to it, you often don't know what your future will
look like post-pageant. The fate of the next year (or more) of your
life lies in the hands of judges, who may or may not decide in your
favor, and because of this, you can't make definitive plans past the
pageant. If I don't come out of Las Vegas with the title of Miss Rodeo
America 2023, I will continue with my flight training in January, with
a flight instructor instrument license.
My time as Miss Rodeo Wyoming has been a whirlwind and as the
dust begins to settle I couldn't be more thankful for the hard work
of my family, sponsors, and committee members who it wouldn't be
possible without. Thank you!
This monthly column is sponsored by Traction Financial Partners
307-672-9738 | hello@tractionfp.com | www.tractionfp.com
Upcing Events
Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2023 Coronation
Sheridan, Wyoming
For more information & to purchase
tickets, visit www.missrodeowyoming.com
Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2022
Send-Off Party
Laramie, Wyoming
NOV 5
OCT 28
