Congratulations to our 2024 Jr. Miss Rodeo NDWS Queen Riley Widman and 2024 Miss North Dakota Winter Show Rodeo Princess NDWS Emberlin Gartner!
Riley Widman - 2024 Jr. Miss North Dakota Winter Show Rodeo
Growing up in the northern plains from Iowa to the Roughrider State, Riley Widman calls Buchanan, ND home. She is the 18 year old daughter of Troy and Lindsey Widman, and Casey and Wendy Hystad. Riley has been fortunate to have been raised around cattle and rodeo her whole life, where her family runs a cow-calf operation and the rodeo competitive edge runs in her veins. Along with her four siblings, Riley’s job on the ranch is to run the feed wagon and help her mom tag and doctor new calves. Her competitive edge can be found in the arena team roping, or at the Stutsman County Fair as a member of the Fort Seward 4-H club where she shows her poultry, swine, beef cattle, and enters numerous static exhibits. When the North Dakota summer sun gets too warm, you can find Riley at the lake tubing or spending time in the kitchen with her mom canning their homegrown fruits and vegetables. Riley is a senior at Pingree-Buchanan High School, a certified AI specialist, and has plans to attend Valley City State University while majoring in Natural Resources. Riley’s mission as rodeo queen is to share her slogan, “If this hat could talk”, to educate our fans about rodeo and the cattle industry.
Emberlin Gartner - 2024 Miss North Dakota Winter Show Rodeo Princess
Emberlin Gartner is your Miss North Dakota Winter Show Rodeo Princess 2024, she the 12-year-old daughter of Lee and Chelsea Gartner. She will be attending 7th grade at Horizon Middle School in the fall where she enjoys all of her classes, especially choir.
Emberlin has been riding horses since she was able to walk, she enjoys competing in 4H and open fun shows where she competes in all classes from pleasure to English to games with her trusted horses Pickle and Sox. Emberlin says best part of showing and traveling with her horses is the relationships she has made along the way while supporting and cheering for her friends, and building her skills as a horsewoman to become a better all-around rider.
Emberlin has 2 older brothers, 1 dog, 1 spicy cat, 2 guinea pigs, and 9 fish along with the 2 greatest horses in the world Pickle and Sox. Her favorite things to do in her free time is anything with her animals or playing with her friends, riding bike, swimming, and jumping on the trampoline.
Emberlin looks forward to traveling the state representing the North Dakota Winter Show and promoting the sport of rodeo.
Jozey Retzlaff - 2023 Jr. Miss North Dakota Winter Show Rodeo
Where America’s highway 281 and the North Dakota prairies meet, Jozey Retzlaff calls Carrington, ND home, and is the 18 year old daughter of Doug and Holly Retzlaff. The youngest sibling with 2 sisters and 1 brother, Jozey is active in 4-H and FFA. Growing up on the back of a horse and raising cattle, Jozey knows how to work hard and stay committed to her success. The motto she lives by is from her favorite Cody Johnson song, “If you have a chance, take it. If you have a dream, chase it.” From starting her own Boer goat herd to barrel racing, Jozey doesn’t let anything stand in her way. Being a rodeo queen has always been her dream, and there’s no better organization she wishes to represent than the North Dakota Winter Show, where their mission to provide education for youth inspires Jozey to be a confident role model for our future ranchers and contestants by being a hard working member and educating them about our western heritage.
Brooklyn Jenner - 2023 Miss North Dakota Winter Show Rodeo Princess
Brooklyn Jenner, the 12 year old daughter of Chris and Melanie Jenner of Ashley ND is a 6th grader at Eureka Public School. She has 3 brothers and loves living on the farm. Brooklyn is involved in rodeo with her horse Waldo. She loves to sing and had the honor of being chosen to sing at the middle school honors choir this year. Brooklyns dream since she was a little girl was to be the ND WinterShow Rodeo Princess and has loved being able to represent the ND WinterShow this year.
Kendra Klosterman - 2022 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
A proud North Dakota native, Kendra Klosterman was raised on multi-generational farms in the southeastern valley. She has always had a passion for rodeo and praises its inclusivity for the variety of people it draws to our industry. Kendra recently graduated from North Dakota State University with her Master's in Business Administration (MBA), along with certificates in Digital Marketing & Innovation and Leadership & Managerial Skills. Through her position as a rodeo queen, along with her background and education, Kendra is excited about sharing her platform to “Engage, Enlighten, and Encourage” – “I believe in the sport of rodeo and the future of agriculture. We need to engage with others, enlighten them on the western way of life, and encourage them to join us in our pursuits no matter how big or small. The world needs more cowboys, cowgirls, and fans of rodeo.” Kendra has a passion for educating the public on agriculture and the western way of life, and believes everyone should have an understanding of our industry, its history, and what it takes to put food on our tables.
Lindsey Miller - 2021 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
Be original; be YOU are the words that 19-year-old Lindsey Miller believes everyone should live by. “In this world everyone is too nervous to be themselves. God made us all unique and we should not be afraid to shine our light He has given us.” says Lindsey. Lindsey is a Freshman at Dickinson State University where she is working to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture Education and a Minor in Agriculture Business. At DSU, she is active in the Agriculture and Rodeo clubs and was recently named to the President’s List, in the Fall of 2019. Upon completion of her studies, Lindsey would like to share her passion for agriculture by becoming a secondary Agriculture Education teacher. When Lindsey is not being a studious, involved college student you can find her riding her two horses, Whitey and Bleu living every cowgirl’s dream out on the rodeo trail, or baking up something sweet for her family. She is the daughter of Steve and Denise Miller of Flaxton, North Dakota and has two younger brothers and a sister.
Ayla Hovland - 2021 Jr. Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
Ayla Hovland is the 16 year old daughter of Davey Hovland and Lana Feeley. She resides in Fargo, ND and is currently a Junior at Fargo Davies High School where she is actively involved in Family, Career & Community Leaders of America and manages the girls cross country team. Ayla enjoys training & showing horses, participating in 4H and High School Ministry at Hope Lutheran Church. Ayla aspires to attend college to pursue a degree in physical therapy or equine science. Ayla received her first Rodeo Queen title as Jr. Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show in March of this year. She is thrilled to represent the North Dakota Winter Show during 2020. During her reign, Ayla plans to travel across North Dakota, spreading joy and sharing her love of riding. She has two horses, Hank and Monte. Ayla and Hank have been a team since 2016, when he came to Fargo from a Ranch in Eastern Montana. They do all types of riding including rodeo & jumping. Monte is new to Ayla and she hopes to show him this summer to see what they can achieve together.
Maysa Hanna - 2021 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show Princess
Maysa Hanna, from Berthold, ND, is no stranger to the rodeo trail. The daughter of Ryan Hanna, professional pickup man, and Susan Hanna, barrel racer, helped her family work over 90 rodeo performances last year alone! She loves life on the road and her rodeo family. When Maysa isn’t traveling down the road, she enjoys spending time with her pets, reading & writing, and doing arts & crafts. She also loves music and plays the drums and bass guitar. Maysa, a 6th grader, loves school and works hard to get good grades. She is excited about being selected for a scholarship to SCRUBS Academy for Kids with the UND School of Medicine this summer. Maysa also enjoys riding horse in her spare time and plays on the basketball and volleyball team.
Callie Enander - 2019 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
She will also go on to compete at the Miss Rodeo North Dakota competition in, October 2019, during the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in Minot, ND.
Callie Enander is the 22-year-old daughter of Randy Enander and Sandy Johnson. After graduating from Kindred High School Callie attended NDSU for 2 years studying Biomedical Animal Science. In her spare time, Callie enjoys riding and training horses, traveling to barrel racing jackpots and rodeos. She also loves spending time with her dog who is constantly by her side. Callie also enjoys beading hatbands and key chains whenever she gets the chance. When asked why she wants to be the next Miss Rodeo ND Winter Show she said, “I would love to be Miss Rodeo NDWS queen because I can remember how much I looked up to all of the rodeo queens I met growing up. Each and every one of them was such an inspiration to me. I want to be a positive influence on the younger generations who may look up to me while I represent the NDWS. Growing up, I remember attending the NDWS almost every year and eventually competing there as an FFA member. I have countless memories that took place there and would love to represent such an amazing event.”
Grace Stanke - 2019 Jr. Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
Grace Stanke is the 16-year-old daughter of Shannan and Greg Stanke. She resides in West Fargo, ND and is currently a sophomore in high school. Grace’s scholastic ambitions are to receive a diploma from the classical education program she is enrolled for high school and following graduation, she plans to continue her education at a university pursuing her passion in the medical industry studying to become an optometrist or an anesthesiologist. Grace is involved in Barrel racing, mounted shooting, yoga, training dogs and horses, studying Latin, missions trips, and volunteering. When asked why she wants to become the next Jr. Miss Rodeo ND Winter Show she said, “I haven’t missed a North Dakota Winter Show since the day I was born! Growing up, my entire family has a history of involvement with the ND winter show. Because of this history, the Winter Show has a big place in my heart and has given me over 16 years of memories that I will continue to make, for many years to come. I can think of no better way to continue the family tradition, and to start my own personal involvement, then to be a representative and an ambassador by becoming the next Jr. Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show!”
Megan Jean Hertz - 2019 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show Princess
Ride with all your heart" are the words that Cowgirl, Megan Jean Hertz, has learned to live by. Miss Hertz is the 9-year-old daughter of Aaron and Melanie Hertz from Wing, ND. She attends Wing Elementary School where she plays basketball, competes in track and field, and will be playing volleyball in a few short weeks. Her enthusiasm for rodeo is reflected in the arena where she competes in the National Barrel Horse Association, Little Britches Rodeo Association, and the Wing Horse Club. Megan is looking to continue building her speaking platform, Rodeo Heartstrings, where she shares her real life rodeo experiences, have taught her many core values that she'll have for the rest of her life.
Kara Berntson - 2018 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
Kara Berntson is the 22-year-old daughter of Neal and Marla Berntson, of Kulm, ND. She is a recent graduate of NDSU, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Equine Science. Kara is a member of Triple R Coteau Horse Club and Ashley Rodeo Club. She would like to thank Ag Outfitters of Kulm, ND for sponsoring her during the North Dakota Winter Show.
Kasen Anderson - 2018 Junior Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
Kasen Anderson is the 16 year old daughter of Brian and Kristi Anderson, of Fort Ransom, ND. She is currently an honor student at Lisbon High School and is actively involved in FFA, 4-H and the Standing Rock Lutheran Church. Kasen's hobbies include playing volleyball and basketball, hanging out with friends and anything to do with horses.
Kara Berntson - 2017 Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
Kara Berntson is the 21-year-old daughter of Neal and Marla Berntson, of Kulm, ND. She is currently a senior at NDSU, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Equine Science. Upon completion of her studies, she hopes to get involved in animal genetics. Kara is an active member of NDSU Horsemen’s Association and NDSU’s IHSA Equestrian Teams. She competes on both the NDSU Hunt Seat Team and NDSU Western Team throughout the school year.
Kara is a member of Triple R Coteau Horse Club, Ashley Rodeo Club, and is a reporter for the NDSU Horsemen’s Association. She would like to thank Ag Outfitters of Kulm, ND for sponsoring her during the North Dakota Winter Show.
Eva Vangsness - 2017 Junior Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show
Eva Vangsness is the 16-year-old daughter of Gerald Vangsness and Diana Hersh, of Walcott, North Dakota. She is the youngest in her family and has two brothers. Eva attends Kindred High School and will be in the graduating class of 2019. She is very active in High School Rodeo, FFA and Speech, and belongs to other rodeo associations as well. Her future plan after graduation is to go into nursing, as she is passionate for helping others.
When Eva was crowned Junior Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show. She stated "All those hard months of studying and practicing have paid off". "I could not have done it without all of my friends and family, who have supported me while I go after my goals. Winning this title has been one of my major goals for the year and I achieved it!" I like the quote by the famous actor John Wayne, "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyways".