The Miss Rodeo Montana Pageant is entering its sixth decade, having begun during the 1950s. Early records are sketchy at best, and work is underway to piece together the history. The earliest Miss Rodeo Montana that we know of was Nona Brown in 1955-56. She was followed by Penny Carson and Toady Yeckel. Judy Morstein Martz was Miss Rodeo Montana in 1961-62 and we are thrilled that she is now Montana's first female governor.

During the late 60s, the pageant was held in Helena. The next home of the pageant was Dillon. The Dillon Jaycees hosted the pageant for many years and generously supported Miss Rodeo Montana. In 1997 the pageant moved to Great Falls, where it is now held in conjunction with the Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo in January.

Miss Rodeo Montana serves as Montana's "First Lady of Rodeo". She attends Montana's professional rodeos, appears in parades and at many community events throughout the state, gives countless speeches to clubs and organizations, numerous radio and television interviews, and coordinates kiddie rodeos. She will also travel to some of the larger rodeos in the U.S. and Canada, representing Montana and promoting our own rodeos. To become Miss Rodeo Montana it takes a young lady with high moral and ethical character, an accomplished speaker and public relations specialist. She must understand rodeo in its entirety and be able to explain it in detail to anyone she meets, always portraying good sportsmanship and careful, humane treatment of animals. The experiences she'll have and the contacts she'll make through the year will provide numerous opportunities for her future.

At the end of her year of reign, Miss Rodeo Montana travels to Las Vegas, Nevada, to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America during a rigorous week-long competition against other state title-holders. Montana hasn't had a Miss Rodeo America, but we have had many top-10 and top-5 finishers. Who knows, maybe this year's Miss Rodeo Montana will be the next "Miss Rodeo America"! The Miss Rodeo title brings with it a $10,000 scholarship, western wardrobe, and the honor of traveling throughout the nation as the official representative of professional rodeo, all expenses paid.