About Us
Who is Miss Rodeo TN/Miss Teen Rodeo TN?
A young lady who loves horses, the sport of Rodeo and the Western way of life. A role model who exemplifies to the youth of the state of TN what can be accomplished in a western environment. An ambassador of Rodeo to the general public, displaying excellence in horsemanship, high moral & ethical character, and reflects careful & humane treatment of animals. She is the ideal All-American Girl who will promote rodeo throughout the entire state of Tennessee.
History of Miss Rodeo TN
The Miss Rodeo Tennessee Pageant began when Elaine Popejoy was crowned the first Miss Rodeo Tennessee in 1967.
In 1985, Mr. John Hadley of Madison, TN took over the reigns at Miss Rodeo Tennessee and took the pageant to new heights. Working with the Franklin Rodeo Committee, Lisa Mauth was crowned MRTN 1985.
In the mid 1990's the pageant moved to western Tennessee.
As the pageant grew, so did the skills of its titleholders. Tori George, MRTN 1993 was awarded the Eastern Regional Award at the 1994 Miss Rodeo America Pageant.
At the 2000 Miss Rodeo America Pageant, Katie Langston, MRTN 1999, was a Top Ten Finalist and was awarded the Eastern Regional Award. Katie was the first MRTN to achieve such an honor.
At the 2002 MRA Pageant, Courtney Terry, MRTN 2001, was awarded the Eastern Regional Award.
In 2005, the Miss Rodeo Tennessee Pageant added the Miss Teen Rodeo Tennnessee division enabling young ladies as young as the age of 14 to hold the teen title and moved back to the middle Tennessee area. Ashley Beddingfield of Bethel, TN was crowned the first Miss Teen Rodeo Tennessee. The pageant also moved to the Middle Tennessee area for the first time in pageant history.
At the 2007 MRA Pageant, Holly Scott, MRTN 2006, was awarded the Eastern Regional Award. Kelsey Hughes of Primm Springs, TN was crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Tennessee in 2006.
At the 2008 MRA Pageant, Ashley Beddingfield, MRTN 2007, was awarded the Written Test Award. Jenni Nichols was crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Tennessee in 2007.
Sadly, in January of 2008, Mr. John Hadley retired from his many years of service to the MRTN and MRA pageants. He remains on the Board of Directors of the Miss Rodeo Tennessee Pageant.
In July 2008, Alina Bonaquista of Henderson, TN was crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Tennessee.
In January 2009, the Miss Rodeo Tennessee Pageant found its new permanent home with the Franklin, TN PRCA Rodeo. This year marks the Franklin Rodeo's 60th Anniversary, visit
www.franklinrodeo.com for more information. Also, for the first time in pageant history an educational scholarship will be given to the winner of the 2009 Miss Rodeo Tennessee Pageant. In honor of Mr. John Hadley and his many years of service, the MRTN pageant committee will be presenting the first John Hadley Spirit Award at the 2009 MRTN pageant.
During the Franklin, TN PRCA Rodeo in May 2009, Amber Dell was crowned Miss Rodeo Tennessee 2009 and Katie McKenzie was crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Tennessee 2009.
At the 2010 MRA Pageant, Amber Dell, MRTN 2009 became the first MRTN to place in the Top Five winning Fourth Runner-up and also won Third place in the Scrapbook awards.
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