Maegan Ridley of Alta Loma, Calif., is Miss Rodeo America 2009. She captured the crown at the conclusion of a weeklong competition featuring 27 contestants from across the country. The 54th Annual Miss Rodeo America Pageant was held at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas.
During 2009 Maegan will represent the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as its official spokeswoman. She is expected to travel 100,000 miles and appear at over 100 rodeos during the next year.
The 20-year-old is pursuing an Associate of Science Degree in Anatomy and Physiology focusing on Speech Language Pathology from Chaffey Community College. Maegan plans to earn both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology with a concentration on rehabilitation. Her occupational goal is to combine her skills as a therapist with her love for horses and rodeo by assisting cowboy patients as a member of the Justin Sports Medicine Team.
Upon completion of her reign, Maegan will have the opportunity to further her education using $11,500 of scholarships she was awarded from the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation.
Maegan enjoys kayaking, baseball, writing cowboy poetry and rodeo. She is active in assisting at special kids rodeos, working with disabled individuals through her local therapeutic riding program, and working as a riding instructor inspiring young horse enthusiasts. Maegan is the daughter of Jon and Georgia Ridley and has two brothers, Cameron and Griffin.
“As Miss Rodeo America I will share with everyone why my heroes have always been cowboys. What an honor, privilege and blessing it is to have this opportunity to represent rodeo in this capacity. Rodeo is the only sport derived from an original hardworking industry. Whether attendees at a rodeo wear a cowboy hat worn and true, or one just bought brand new, as Miss Rodeo America I want to reflect the hardworking image of the American cowboy giving the audience a sense of pride in rodeo as one of our nation’s legacies. Wherever my trails may lead I will remain a genuine cowgirl, riding with faith, and aspiring to share our Western Heritage” Maegan said.