South Dakotan Is National Rodeo Royalty

A South Dakotan has been crowned Miss Rodeo America for the first time in more than a decade.

Florence native Callie Mueller captured the honor Sunday (December 8) in Las Vegas, beating out 31 other contestants for the crown.

The event took nine days to complete and included:

Horsemanship patterns on AQHA-sponsored draw horses
Personal interviews with judges
A fashion show highlighting custom-designed outfits
Speeches
Written tests
A Boot Parade

Mueller also won the Appearance Award.

Get our free mobile app

Her first official appearance as Miss Rodeo America will be Wednesday night (December 11) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, completing a 'hot lap' paired with a Cervi Championship Rodeo horse. It’s the perfect introduction to her new role as the first lady of professional rodeo.

Callie will travel across the country over the next year, appearing at rodeos, schools, and events to promote the Western way of life.

She is the sixth Miss Rodeo America winner from the Mount Rushmore State.

PREVIOUS SOUTH DAKOTA MISS RODEO AMERICA WINNERS

2020-21: Jordan Tierney
2011: McKenzie (Haley) Vice
1985: Leslie (Patten) White
1982: Donna Keffeler
1965: Pat (Koren) Sanmartin

Amazon

Callie is also an author. Back in October, her children's book Faith Over Fear was published. It tells the story of 'two inseparable friends who navigate the tumultuous waves of life together.'

11 Famous People from South Dakota

OK, so we're not Hollywood, but there are a number of famous people who were born in the Rushmore State. Here's a list of 10 famous people who were born in South Dakota!

Gallery Credit: Danny V

30 Ways You Might Have Already Broken the Law Today

Most of us try the best we can to be law-abiding citizens, but did you know that you may have been breaking the law without even realizing it?

BestLifeOnline has a list of 30 of the most common transgressions. How many have you been guilty of over the years?

Out of 30, I am guilty of 19. And no I won't tell you which ones.

Gallery Credit: Jeff Harkness/B1027.com

The 6 Types of South Dakota Drivers You Deal With Every Winter

Every year it snows in Sioux Falls. We may live in denial during the spring and summer, but it happens.

When the snow falls on the Falls, life in the city does not stop. We all still have to go to work, school, and the liquor store...um I mean go get snacks.

When you tackle the snowy routes around town you tend to run across six types of drivers in the snow.

Filed Under: florence

Categories: Articles, News, Newsletter, South Dakota