Competition
Miss Rodeo Canada is a prestigious title awarded to a woman who serves as the official ambassador for the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and its athletes, promoting the sport and its heritage throughout Canada and beyond. The role involves more than pageantry; contestants are evaluated on horsemanship, equine knowledge, public speaking, and personality, reflecting the full scope of what it means to represent Canadian rodeo.
Miss Rodeo Canada
2027 Competition Now Closed for Entries
The 2027 Miss Rodeo Canada application window
has now closed, and the 6 Finalists have been selected.
Crowning A Champion
Judging Criteria
Miss Rodeo Canada contestants are judged in the following areas:
Public Speaking
- A 3-to-4-minute memorized speech. Longer than 4 minutes or less than 3 will result in point reductions at the discretion of the judges.
- Impromptu Questions.
- Extemporaneous Speech (contestants will be given a topic and will have 5 minutes to prepare a 1-minute speech on that topic)
Modelling
Posture, confidence, poise, ability to project your personality, the use of the stage, engagement of the audience and ability to show off sponsor clothing as well as the contestant’s outfit of choice are all taken into account.
Written Exam
Contestants will answer questions regarding rodeo knowledge (rules, history, past and reigning champions both in Canada and the US), equine knowledge (common diseases, ailments, and care) and knowledge of the Miss Rodeo Canada organization (its sponsors and history).
Personal Interview
Judges will interview each contestant privately. Questions will test for knowledge of professional rodeo, current affairs, and conversational ability, all with an emphasis on grammar and enunciation.
Horsemanship
Contestants will be judged on their ability to control their horse, balance, position of hands, feet and seat. Categories will include mounting and dismounting, rail work, pattern, impromptu questions based on knowledge of tack, horse science, and terminology, presentation ride (flag and wave lap) during horsemanship, and presentation ride during a CFR performance. Each contestant will draw 3 different horses during horsemanship and will be assigned a horse during the presentation ride at CFR. Judges and horse owners will answer any questions PRIOR to the start of horsemanship. *You will be provided with a blouse and jeans; you may add your own accessories.
Fun Fact - Stampede
Four of our Miss Rodeo Canada queens were previously Calgary Stampede Royalty. Sis Thacker, Karina Tees, Tara Sergerie, and Jaden Holle.
Fun Fact - Rare Air
Alicia Erickson (2020-2021) is the only Miss Rodeo Canada to hold the title for two years.
Fun Fact - Barrel Racer
Jerri Duce, Miss Rodeo Canada 1975, was the first Canadian to qualify for NFR in 1975. She also returned to qualify in 1976 and 1977. She won the CFR Ladies’ Barrel Racing title in 1975 as Miss Rodeo Canada 1975! She would go on to win 9 Barrel Racing championships!
Miss Rodeo Canada
Judging Panel
Judges selected for Miss Rodeo Canada 2027 are experienced in Horsemanship, Public Speaking and have great knowledge in the western lifestyle.
2027 Judge
Lynda Thurston
Lynda Thurston
Lynda Thurston is a generational rancher and rodeo competitor from Big Valley, Alberta. A former rodeo reporter and radio host Lynda and her family production company, Prairie Originals, proudly produced the Opening Ceremonies at the Canadian Finals Rodeo for ten years from 1985 to 1995. Married to NFR saddle bronc rider Skeeter Thurston they pioneered the Pro Rodeo Scoreboard program sponsored by Copenhagen Skoal, changing the face of rodeo entertainment across Canada for more than three decades. Raising four children in the rodeo industry brought about many highlights including their three boys being named 2 time honourees as Contract Act of The Year for the wild west extravaganza The Thurston Gang. Along with Wyatt, Zeke and Sam younger sister Tess also has rodeo championships to her credit. When Lynda isn't horse back ranching or barrel racing she enjoys songwriting and performing with her band Genuine Cowgirls. A former Miss Rodeo Jenner Queen Lynda was second runner up in the Miss Rodeo Canada Competition in 1982.
2027 Judge
Jim Bowhay
Jim Bowhay grew up in the dairy world in the Cochrane area and early in his teenage life moved to Sundre where his family switched to beef cattle…
Jim Bowhay
Jim Bowhay grew up in the dairy world in the Cochrane area and early in his teenage life moved to Sundre where his family switched to beef cattle.
Along with Nola, his wife of 38 years, he continues to operate a mixed farming operation, consisting of commercial beef, turkeys and laying hens.
Jim has a passion for educating the public in agriculture, and has brought his leadership and proactive participation into a wide variety of organizations including 4-H (55+ years involvement), Sundre/Bergen Show & Sale Committee, Sundre & District Agriculture Society, Alberta Beef Producers, Canadian Cattlemen Association (CCA), and many more. Jim is a four-time Canadian Wild Cow Milking Champion and three-time Calgary Stampede Wild Cow Milking Champion. His family has been recognized as Farm Family of the Year by the Sundre Chamber Commerce and BMO/Calgary Stampede (in 2013 and 2019, respectively).
As a life-long farmer/rancher, Jim truly cares about the agriculture industry and its sustainability—particularly the youth and how we can give them the tools to really succeed while producing wholesome food to nourish the country’s population.
Jim and Nola have 4 grown children Carson, Arleta, Bronwen and Dayla and are the proud grandparents to 7 grandchildren!
2027 Judge
Cheryl Daines
Cheryl Daines, a former Miss Rodeo Canada, is married to Canadian Bronc Riding Champion and nine-time NFR saddle bronc qualifier, Duane Daines…
Cheryl Daines
Cheryl Daines, a former Miss Rodeo Canada, is married to Canadian Bronc Riding Champion and nine-time NFR saddle bronc qualifier, Duane Daines. The couple lives on their family farm near Innisfail, Alberta, where Duane operates the Innisfail Auction Market. Together with their daughter, Sydney, and son-in-law, Quentin, they also manage a cow-calf operation. An accomplished horsewoman, Cheryl raises and trains barrel horses alongside Sydney. No stranger to the rodeo arena herself, Cheryl has twice qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) in Ladies Barrel Racing—on two different horses. Sydney has followed in her mother’s footsteps, qualifying for the CFR three times on a horse named Honour Before Fame (aka “Flame”)—a horse Cheryl bred, raised, and trained on their farm.
Cheryl’s rodeo queen journey began as Miss Ponoka Stampede. She later held the titles of Miss Red Deer and Miss Rodeo Canada. During her reign, Cheryl had the unique opportunity to represent Western heritage as Miss Rodeo Canada at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, which hosted the first Olympic rodeo. She has since continued to contribute to the rodeo community by judging rodeo queen pageants and 4-H public speaking competitions. After a fulfilling teaching career, Cheryl recently retired and now enjoys riding, playing pickleball, and, most importantly, embracing her new role as a grandmother to Josie Joyce—truly the greatest gift of her life.
Cheryl extends her best wishes to all Miss Rodeo Canada contestants. Enjoy the journey, and remember:
“Don’t let anyone ever dull your sparkle.
2027 Judge
Kiki Shumway
Kiki Shumway of Scottsdale, Arizona, has been involved in ranching, farming, and rodeo for more than 40 years. A past President of the Washington State…
Kiki Shumway
Kiki Shumway of Scottsdale, Arizona, has been involved in ranching, farming, and rodeo for more than 40 years. A past President of the Washington State High School Rodeo Association, and the Miss Rodeo Washington organization, she also made history as the first woman to chair the Horse Heaven Round Up PRCA Rodeo in Kennewick, Washington, and has served on the Columbia River Circuit Board of Directors.
For over three decades, Kiki has been deeply dedicated to the Miss Rodeo America program, producing the Fashion Show in Las Vegas during the pageant and serving on nearly every committee. She has been a long-time member of the Executive Board, including multiple terms as President, which position she currently holds. In 2018, she was inducted into the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame.
Passionate about mentoring young women and preserving our western heritage, Kiki continues to give back through her leadership, volunteer work, and most importantly, by sharing her love of the sport of rodeo and the western lifestyle with others. Kiki has 3 sons and 5 grandchildren. In her spare time she loves to golf!