Makayla Gemeiner is a first-generation cowgirl from Goshen, Arkansas, and a senior at Fayetteville High School. She will be attending Oklahoma State University in the fall to continue following her passion for agriculture by double majoring in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Communications. Makayla is not just a rodeo queen. She has also trained and competed in varying disciplines over the years, winning many awards. After eight years of competitive hunter-jumper riding, she found the western discipline, fell in love with it, and hasn’t looked back since. Currently, she competes in Ranch Horse and Cow Horse events. Most days, you can find her in the saddle, feeding her passion for training horses. When she isn’t busy with rodeos, you could find her welding, fishing, or tooling leather. Makayla is very involved in Future Farmers of America in high school, serving as chapter president for the 2024/2025 school year.

As Miss Rodeo Arkansas Teen, Makayla had the opportunity to create a platform to promote throughout her reign. Rodeo and equestrian sports aren’t just demanding on your body, but they are also mentally demanding. Mental health is a crucial aspect of performance and overall well-being. These athletes face a unique set of challenges that can impact their mental health, from getting injured to the stress of competition and so much more. These challenges can lead to anxiety, depression, burnout, and other mental health issues that can affect an athlete’s performance and quality of life. A while back, Makayla struggled with her mental health surrounding the sport, so she knew that creating Saddle Up Strong would not only be a personal motto to live by, but a motto to share with others. It does not matter whether you’ve been on the back of a horse before, Makayla wants to remind you to Saddle Up Strong when things get difficult because being a true cowboy or cowgirl comes from the strength and courage that lies within.