History of Miss Rodeo Arkansas

The very first Miss Rodeo America Pageant was held in Casper, Wyoming in 1955. The concept was developed that year and organized under the name of International Rodeo Management (IRM). The Miss Rodeo America headquarters were started in Springdale, Arkansas.

In 1956, George Ann (Smithers) Neighbors was crowned the first Miss Rodeo Arkansas. George Ann passed away in 2020.

Marian Benson became the 1957 Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Judy Gray won the crown in 1958 and Frankie Gault in 1959.

The ‘60s brought new ladies to the organization and was the start of unique duos among some. In 1960, Susan Beede of Newport became Miss Rodeo Arkansas. Judy (Montgomery) Mize of Conway wore the crown in 1961 and became the 1st runner up at Miss Rodeo America. The 1961 pageant was held in Little Rock during the State Fair.

Katherine Sue (McDonald) Wilmans became the 1962 Miss Rodeo Arkansas. Katherine crowned Linda (Blevins) Blackwell of Fort Smith in 1963. During that year, Martha Johnston took over the 1963 Miss Rodeo Arkansas title for the remainder of that year. Sandra (Moore) Thorp became the 1964 titleholder.

Demaris Lindloff became the lucky lady to wear the 1965 crown. Following Demaris, Mary Ann (Searcy) May won the title of Miss Rodeo Arkansas 1966. Jane Parker of Little Rock captured the 1967 title.

Terry Sue (Mann) Satkowski became the 1968 Miss Rodeo Arkansas. Closing out the ‘60s was Billie Lee Sisco in 1969.

The ‘70s were off to a great start. Your 1970 Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Cheri (Whitlock) Edwards was 1st runner up at Miss Rodeo America. Cheri crowned Gwen Dawson in 1971.

Frances Devereaux captured the 1972 crown and crowned Chry Novack in 1973.

In 1974, Arkansas saw the first duo in the history come to fruition. Robin (Mann) Smith was crowned the 1974 Miss Rodeo Arkansas. Robin is the sister to the 1968 Miss Rodeo Arkansas, making them the first sister duo to wear the crown.

Debbie (Garrett) Tregler wore the coveted crown in 1975.

Kicking off the 20th anniversary of the pageant, Ginger (Howard) Graham was the 1976 Miss Rodeo Arkansas. Ginger crowned Theresa (Paschall) Allen in 1977. Following Theresa was Joy Styles in 1978, and Cynthia Ritchie in 1979.

1979 also brought on a new time for Miss Rodeo America. Joe “Sandy” Boone was the Miss Rodeo America President 1979-1981.

The 1980s brought more ladies to our rich history. Karen Johnson wore the crown in 1980. Libby (Hurley) Fogg was Miss Rodeo Arkansas in 1981 and 1st runner up at Miss Rodeo America.

Through the remainder of the ‘80s, Cheryl Courtney captured the crown in 1982, Susan Wade in 1983, Angie (Rainwater) Argo in 1984, Tammy (Tucker) Peak in 1985, Kelly Phillips in 1986, and Karen Ozymy in 1987.

Gina (Sargent) Hampton became Miss Rodeo Arkansas in 1988, crowning Brooke Phillips in 1989.

The Miss Rodeo America headquarters officially moved from Arkansas to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1989.

In the years between 1988-1990, long time secretary/treasurer of Miss Rodeo America, Lee Zachary of Springdale, Arkansas retired.

Julie (Talkington) Halfmann wore the 1990 crown, Christine Thomas in 1991, Jill Rusk in 1992 and Kellie (Wynn) Cunningham in 1993.

1994 brought Kim (Lockard) Hollard, followed by Natalie (Gurisco) Fox in 1995, Monica (Eoff) Lieblong in 1996, Sandy Kay Davis in 1997, Carlie (Wilkins) Tapley in 1998, and Traci (Foot) Jones in 1999.

The new decade brought Stephanie (Davis) Houston as the 2000 Miss Rodeo Arkansas. The 2001 crown went to Jami (Shilling) Hanson.

In 2002, Elizabeth (Nobles) Long wore the crown. Candace (Nobles) Medlock became the 2003 Miss Rodeo Arkansas. This created another sister duo in our history.

Jackie (Woosley) Harris captured the 2004 crown, followed by Samantha (Bolding) Walker in 2005, Katie (Brock) Carter in 2006, Brittany (Sing) bogan in 2007, Dilynn Dodd in 2008, and Micki Musick in 2009.

In 2010, Synda (Lockard) Hogan became Miss Rodeo Arkansas. This win locked in the third sister duo. Synda is the sister to 1994, Kim (Lockard) Holland.

In 2011, Shana (Carter) Morris wore the crown, followed by Jessica (Chitwood) Brown in 2012.

Kirbi (Allen) Carter became Miss Rodeo Arkansas in 2013. Kirbi is the daughter to Theresa (Paschall) Allen - 1977 Miss Rodeo Arkansas. Kirbi went on to become Miss Rodeo USA in 2015.

Stephanie (Kaeppel) Kennemer was crowned Miss Rodeo Arkansas 2014, Kelsey (Parmenter) Smith in 2015 and Tori Miller in 2016.

In 2017, the pageant was moved to the Cowboy Crossroads Church in El Paso, Arkansas where Libby (Looney) Dedman was crowned.

Bayleigh (Warren) Bowman captured the crown in 2018, followed by Susan Rhodes in 2019.

In 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic halted the pageant.

During 2020, Tori Miller - 2016 Miss Rodeo Arkansas competed on Season 19 of The Voice with Gwen Stefani as her coach.

2021 has seen many new adventures for Miss Rodeo Arkansas. A membership system was put into place, organizational committees were created and an Alumni Director position was created on the executive board. The very first Alumni Director is Synda Hogan, Miss Rodeo Arkansas 2010.

To our knowledge, we appointed the first Miss Rodeo Arkansas in 2021, Ciarra Luebke. Ciarra was crowned in August 2021 and competed for Miss Rodeo America in December 2021.

Molly Musick was crowned the 2022 Miss Rodeo Arkansas during the 65th Anniversary Pageant on November 7, 2021. This was the reintroduction of the Lady in Waiting Program.

In May 2022, Abigail Benz was crowned Miss Rodeo Arkansas 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.