Grit and Grace: Contestants Prepare for McKenzie County Ag Expo Rodeo Queen Contest
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
The local arena is buzzing as the McKenzie County Ag Expo prepares to crown its second-ever Rodeo Queen on Saturday, May 23. While spectators will enjoy an impressive display of beauty, poise, and horsemanship on coronation day, the path to the crown requires an immense amount of grit, preparation, and dedication behind the scenes.
The program, a fresh addition to the region’s rich agricultural traditions, was established in 2025 by Program Director Charlce Trevena and Assistant Director Sarah Aaker. Backed wholeheartedly by the Ag Expo Foundation, the contest was created to fulfill a long-standing vision of bringing a dedicated Rodeo Queen program to the community.
“Through her travels, the Rodeo Queen not only showcases the rich cowboy heritage and western lifestyle of McKenzie County, but also serves as an ambassador for these values across the nation,” Director Trevena said, noting that the inaugural 2025 queen logged over 3,000 miles representing the Ag Expo at parades, rodeos, and community functions.
The intensive judging process tests whether the contestants can handle the spotlight both on and off a horse. To prepare, the young women must master a precise horsemanship pattern, study local history and current events for a written test, face rigorous interviews, and memorize an original speech.
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