Posted by By Lillian Landreth
Hailey Frederiksen was crowned Miss Rodeo America 2022 on December 5th in Las Vegas. The long-awaited pageant, last held in December of 2019, took place after a historic hiatus due to the pandemic. Like many rodeo queens across the country, 24-year-old Hailey from Wellington, Colorado, represented her Centennial State through 2020 and 2021. She is the sixth Miss Rodeo Colorado to win the Miss Rodeo America title, last won by Tara (Graham) Rowe in 2001.
During the Miss Rodeo America pageant, Hailey and 31 other contestants were judged on appearance, horsemanship, and personality over the course of five days. Many of the rodeo queens refer to one another as sash sisters, and Hailey took the sisterhood to heart. “Having those two years (reigning) is something that we have never seen before in the state and Miss Rodeo America organizations. Even though I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with those girls, being here (in Las Vegas) for eight days has honestly been the most rewarding experience of my entire life. I can’t wait to have another year with some incredible girls I know will represent this great sport.”
Rodeo Sorority
The other top five finalists were Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Kylie Myers; Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Joeli Walrath; Miss Rodeo Texas, Bobbi Loran; and Miss Rodeo Idaho, Nicole Jordan, who was first runner up.
Among the sash sisters in the audience was the second Miss Rodeo America, Dallas (Hunt) George, who reigned in 1957, and continues to volunteer in the MRA organization today. Miss Rodeo USA, Kylee Campbell, was also in attendance, as well as Miss Rodeo Canada, Alicia Erickson.
As the second college graduate from her family, Hailey is a huge proponent of higher education, and plans to finish her master’s degree at Oklahoma State University in agricultural marketing following her reign. “I may only get one year as Miss Rodeo America, but I will always represent rodeo and agriculture throughout my entire life. I am just that passionate about this lifestyle, and I can’t wait to share that with everyone I meet.”
About the Author
Lillian Landreth is a freelance writer and editor. She particularly enjoys writing about rodeo and the extraordinary people and animals who make the lifestyle fascinating. The author of more than 1,000 stories, her writing has appeared in the Rodeo News; The Ketchpen, published by the Rodeo Historical Society and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; and local newspapers. She is also working on her first novel. When she’s not writing, Lily enjoys riding with the Snake River Stampeders night light drill team, coaching the EhCapa Bareback Riders, a PRCA specialty act, and teaching horseback riding lessons. She makes her home in Southwest Idaho with her entrepreneurial husband, their dog, horse, and cows.
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