Rock Springs, WY – The Sweetwater Events Complex is pleased to announce that both Miss Rodeo Wyoming and Miss Rodeo Colorado will be participating in the 2015 Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo. Both ladies will be on hand each night of the rodeo to present the flags, lead the victory laps and help with the general operation of the rodeo. In addition, they’ll be available in the grandstand area prior to the rodeo each night to sign autographs.
Laurel Austin is the 2015 Miss Rodeo Wyoming. Laurel’s favorite place to be horse back is Wyoming’s Snowy Range. Regardless of venue, Laurel does some of her best thinking in the saddle. She won her first buckle in the Laramie Jubilee Days Kid’s Horse Show at the age of 7 then later became Miss Laramie Jubilee Days 2013. During High School she showed livestock through 4H and FFA, and competed on the National Agricultural Issues Team while also earning All-Conference and All-State recognition in athletics. Laurel’s background is as diverse as the terrain around her. Through these organizations and rodeo she learned responsibility, the value of teamwork and the importance of friends and family. Laurel is an undergraduate in the Animal Science Department at the University of Wyoming where she is focused on animal nutrition, business and production. As a student she has participated on the University’s Equestrian and Ranch Horse Teams, and is a member of the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers. She became Miss Albany County Farm Bureau 2014, competed and won the coveted title of Miss Rodeo Wyoming at the Wyoming State Fair in August. As Miss Rodeo Wyoming she will travel the United States representing Wyoming and the great sport of rodeo. She will go on to compete at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in December 2015. Laurel has learned that with hard work and dedication anything is possible. She encourages all those around her to learn through experience, lead by example and inspire others to be their best.
Miss Rodeo Colorado 2015, Marie Louise Kidd of Avondale, Colorado is the 22 year old daughter of Rick and Jill Kidd. Marie’s guiding principles are integrity, leadership, work ethic and patriotism. Marie received a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Colorado State University-Pueblo. She plans to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy, specializing in sports and horses. Marie is a fourth generation Colorado cowgirl following in the footsteps of her great-grandmother with roots in Crowley County dating back to 1911. Marie and her family raise registered Corrientes cattle, the official breed of steers in the PRCA.
She has participated in the 4-H horse project for 11 years, qualifying for the Colorado State Fair 6 times. She won Grand Champion Ranch Horse her final year as a 4-H participant. Marie was also a member in the American Quarter Horse Youth Association and is a 3-time qualifier for AQHAYA Youth World Show. Marie was honored to serve as the 2009 Pueblo County Fair Queen and the 2012 Arkansas Valley Fairy Queen. In her spare time she enjoys reining and working cow horse disciplines and performing in musicals. Marie is excited to serve as Miss Rodeo Colorado because rodeo is a genuinely American creation with traditional values that align with her own. She is excited to work to help grow rodeo and the western lifestyle into the future.
Advance tickets to the Mountain States Circuit Finals, Oct. 22-24, are $15.00 and can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce offices in Rock Springs and Green River. Each night of the rodeo will be action packed with 12 cowboys in each event: bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. The event will be held at the Sweetwater Events Complex Indoor Arena. Gates open nightly at 5:30 pm and feature the Mini Bareback World Championship Qualifier starting at 6:30 and PRCA Rodeo action at 7:30. Plan on staying late on Friday and Saturday evening for the presentation of circuit awards and live music and dancing with the Sundowners.
*Photographed: Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Laurel Austin
*Photographed: Miss Rodeo Colorado, Marie Louise Kidd