Since she was just three years old, Annemarie Vogedes has been a part of the Reno Rodeo Parade and has spent every birthday at the Reno Rodeo.
She is a former Miss Reno Rodeo and says the organization feels like a giant family.
Now she is Miss Rodeo Nevada for 2024.
She says the Miss Rodeo Nevada pageant doesn't have any prerequisites, but formerly having the title of Miss Reno Rodeo was a very helpful tool towards accomplishing the goal of attaining the state title. Not to mention, it helped her prepare for the Miss Rodeo Nevada pageant.
“Knowing veterinary knowledge, horsemanship skills PRCA knowledge, which is 'Pro Rodeos Cowboys Association,' So it’s a good way to start and to have that knowledge and to have that background before running for a state title,” said Vogedes.
She also says that while some might think running for rodeo queen titles are purely pageantry, that's a big part of the competition.
There is so much more to the process.
“There’s ton of interviews you have to do, and be comfortable on camera," she said. "But also, there's a written test people don’t know about for the Reno Rodeo, but also Miss Rodeo Nevada. You take a 50 question written test and you have no idea what's going to be on it. They could throw anything at you.”
Vogedes says her platform while holding the title is Bulls, Broncs and Branding.
What I want to do with this is bring together urban and rural, with a standard based art project for 3rd through 5th grade students and they get to learn about branding,” she said.
She says during this teaching period, kids will be able to learn about branding and how it works, while also creating an art project out of clay to mold their brand and take it home.
She says running for the state title is no easy task. It takes a lot of support from her friends, family and even those she works with.
“I work for the center of adaptive riding," she says. "We’re a non-profit equine therapy group and they are wonderful here and it’s nice to be around the horses and see smiling faces on people with disabilities that come and are able to ride and learn and just seeing everyone smile is wonderful.”
Vogedes tells us she will also be having a celebration and fundraiser concert at South 40 this Friday January 19th, where local singer Jake Jacobsen will play with his band to kick off the night starting at 7:30.
“These funds are going to my year I travel," she explains. "Whether it’s traveling out of state or within the state with my platform going to different schools and helping with art supplies. So, these funds go towards a whole year of fun.”
She just came back from Denver and her next destination for her yearlong tour will be in Elko for Cowboy Poetry.
She says to her being Miss Rodeo Nevada simply means love.
“I get to share my passion of rodeo and the western way of life with as many people as I can," she said. "So I get to travel around, meet new faces, meet new friends and share a little bit about what I love about rodeo, what rodeo is and the people that are involved. They're a big community and a big family, and I would love to share that with as many people as I can.”
She also wants to remind everyone “No matter what you want to do in life a little bit of hard work goes a long way, and you can really accomplish anything you want to.”
