This struck me as an ah ha moment during the 2024 MRUSA competition and I knew, we had to chat about this! - Jessie Lynn®

On January 14, 2024, Kaelanne Quinonez was crowned YOUR Miss Rodeo USA 2024 at the Lazy E Arena during the 54th performance of the International Finals Rodeo. A Sunday she will never forget, Kaelanne is excited and proud to carry the title of Miss Rodeo USA for a year, promoting the IPRA and MRUSA organizations and advocating for rodeo and ag across the country.

Kaelanne is no stranger to horses and all things cowgirl, she was born and raised on the Central Coast of California, where she fell in love with horses at the age of 4. Her mom and dad soon found out that this love of horses and all things cowgirl was in fact not a phase and that it was a passion that was as organic and unexpected as the path she would take to Miss Rodeo USA many years later. Kaelanne and her family experienced a lot of firsts together: first horse which turned into horses, first show, first IFR, and first rodeo queen titles. Kaelanne could not be representing the organization and sharing her passion for the west like she is today without the support of her fireteam at home.

She left her hometown when she was accepted into Texas A&M as a Master’s student, where she spent a year studying ecohydrology and the effects of drought on ranches in west Texas and where she graduated with her M.S. in Business. This proud Aggie wants to use her education and first hand experiences to promote rodeo, agriculture, and western from coast to coast, preserving traditions and promoting the future. During her year as Miss Rodeo USA, Kaelanne plans to do this by traveling to rodeos in the US and Canada, speaking at schools, town halls and conferences, and using social media to promote the sponsors of and the sport of rodeo.

​Rodeo is a team sport: a team between roughstock and rider, sponsor and contestants, the organization and fans. Rodeo queening is a team sport. In fact, all aspects of the western industry require team effort and collaboration. Kaelanne is excited to be a contributing part of this team, of a family that makes America special and unique. She knows, and wants to share the message, that when teams put their nose to the grindstone, everyone benefits and can keep their eyes to their dreams (or rhinestones). - Bio Provided by the Miss Rodeo USA Association

Abigail Benz was crowned Miss Rodeo Arkansas 2023 at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Daughter of Stacy and Colonel Edward J Benz III, she was born in Oklahoma, learned to ride horses in North Carolina, fell in love with rodeo as a young Westernaire in Colorado, and spent her high school years in Georgia. Abigail is a graduate of Auburn University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Global Studies. As an undergraduate, Abigail studied abroad in Italy and completed an internship working to eradicate human trafficking in Nepal. Following graduation, she worked in the professional sports industry where she managed community engagement and foundation operations. Abigail is now a proud resident of the Natural State where she is furthering her education at the University of Arkansas, Abigail manages Glitter N’ Dirt, a brand that sparks empowerment and a passion for the western way of life and operates a western boutique in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Abigail is excited to continue to promote her platform, Cowgirl Courage, a registered nonprofit organization. The mission of Cowgirl Courage is to educate and empower everyone to “Speak Up, Stand Up, and Saddle Up” with courage in any situation. She supports advocacy centers that work to prevent injustices including human trafficking, bullying and increased suicide rates in Veterans from happening by inspiring a generation of confident and courageous cowboys and cowgirls. Abigail has a passion for helping others achieve their fullest potential and biggest dreams despite any obstacle life throws their way.

In the future, Abigail plans to attend a top tier law school with a joint MBA program. She hopes to continue to make a significant impact on the lives of men, women and children around the world through both Cowgirl Courage and Glitter N’ Dirt. Abigail is a lifelong equestrian who will continue to spend hours in the saddle barrel racing, roping and riding with her family on Glitter N’ Dirt Ranch.

As Miss Rodeo Arkansas 2023, Abigail will aid and promote the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the rodeo, equine and agricultural industries that encompass the western way of life. She will travel nearly 50,000 miles across the United States and will make appearances at rodeos, military installations, schools and clubs creating awareness about the sport of rodeo, as well as empowering everyone to have Cowgirl Courage. Abigail will represent the Natural State at the Miss Rodeo America 2024 Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 2023.

From the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Arena to gracing your TV screen as you turn it to the newly added "Cowgirl Channel," Hailey Frederiksen is a one-of-a-kind cowgirl that adds a little bit of sparkle everywhere she goes!

Tune in now to see how your dreams could just be waiting on you to put in the work and get your boots dirty!

Follow Hailey Frederiksen on Instagram, Facebook, and of course on the Cowgirl Channel.

Follow your host, Jessie Lynn, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! (@JessieLynn.OfficialPage, @JessieLynnJL, @JessieLynn_Official)

Connect with Kylee by visiting:
www.missrodeousa.com
@MissRodeoUSA on Facebook and Instagram

Like, Share, and Follow the Be a Dreamcatcher Podcast on all social platforms and everywhere you listen to podcasts with the @BeaDreamcatcher handle.

Follow your host:

INSTAGRAM: @JessieLynn_Official
FACEBOOK: @JessieLynn.OfficialPage
Twitter: @JessieLynnJL

Thanks for stopping on it and for becoming a dreamcatcher with us!