Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

After a four day competition of horsemanship skills, rodeo knowledge, and plenty of cowgirl flair, Montana now has two new rodeo queens.

Mariah Rys-Sikora, 20,was crowned Miss Rodeo Montana 2012, and 17 year old Jennika O'Neil was named the 2012 Miss Teen Rodeo Montana winner.

Rys-Sikora is studying communication at the University of Montana and is on the UM rodeo team.

O'Neil is a senior from Raynesford, and will graduate high school in May.

Both ladies shined in the best speech category, as well as best horsemanship and best personality.

Rys-Sikora said, "I'm looking most forward to the rodeos, going and being at the events and the sport that we are here to represent. It's my lifestyle, it's what I love, it's how I live, and now I get to be the face for a year, I am so excited for that."

O'Neil said, "I'm excited for the same thing, to meet many different people and the experience that are going to come through it for a year to come are just going to be fabulous and running through the state of Montana with Mariah is going to be absolutely wonderful."

For the next year, the two new queens will travel to rodeos across Montana, promoting the sport and encouraging young women.

In December, Rys-Sikora will compete for Miss Rodeo America.