The Ride of Emma Cameron as 2024 Miss Rodeo America Is in Full Stride

Writer Brian Hurlburt takes us into the minds and hearts of the PRCA World Champions who clinched titles during the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®. Here is a special interview with Emma Cameron, Miss Rodeo America 2024.

Emma Cameron had an inkling about what it would be like to take her victory lap around the fabled Thomas & Mack Center in December 2023 shortly after winning the Miss Rodeo America crown. After all, she had history as a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® flag girl.

Experiencing the electricity and vibe inside the most famous arena in rodeo from dirt level wouldn’t come as a total shock to her system. But she also knew that ride would be different.

“The arena is so big and loud in there and the energy level is unreal,” said Cameron, during a break of a June photo shoot in Las Vegas to prepare for the 2024 Wrangler NFR. “I think fans anticipate every year watching Miss Radio America make her first ride. For me to be that person was an incredible feeling that I will remember forever.”

The ride was symbolic of a life’s pursuit, a dream realized. Everything came together perfectly Dec. 10, 2023, at the South Point Hotel and Casino when her name was called to be the next Miss Rodeo America and take over from Kennadee Riggs.

“This means genuinely everything to me,” Cameron said. “Growing up, this is quite literally all I wanted. I leveraged everything to accomplish this goal. Where I went to school, what I decided to do with my career, and so many things were all planned to set me up to be a good Miss Rodeo America. Now, I am trying to capitalize on that and I look forward to the rest of the year.”

Ah, yes, the rest of the year.

Now that the summer is here, Cameron expects to travel 50,000 miles and appear at more than 100 venues as an official representative of Miss Rodeo America and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. She is the third Miss Rodeo America from New Mexico.

“So many people love and respect Miss Rodeo America, and I am always welcomed into these communities by these lovely people who are so excited to have Miss Rodeo America there,” Cameron said. “I get to experience that this year and I am so grateful for this opportunity. The realization of the magnitude of what it means to be Miss Rodeo America is still sinking in, but I take this role very seriously. I understand that I have to be at my best every single day.”

Cameron was also the 2018 National High School Rodeo queen. She credits that experience as a major influence on earning the Miss Rodeo America title.

“Being the National High School Rodeo queen was a springboard for me,” Cameron said. “I know I am still young saying this to you, but I was even younger then and it seems like a long time ago. At that time, I didn’t realize the opportunities and experiences I would have. That experience has prepared me to make the most of being Miss Radio America.”

The country & Western culture is all about authenticity. Cameron knows who she is and how to succeed and achieve goals.

“I tell people this a lot and I tell girls that I coach this, but what you see is what you get with me,” Cameron said. “It is very important to be yourself. That is what makes the rodeo community so special.  No matter if you see me schooling horses in the arena at home or here in a very shiny leather dress, I am so grateful to be here and I try to be the same here today as I will be tomorrow.”

Cameron looks forward to the 10 days and nights of the Wrangler NFR coming this December, and is eager to be a part of it all as the reigning Miss Rodeo America.

“The NFR experience to the fan is unbelievable and it is for everyone,” Cameron said. “Whether you are a completely avid rodeo fan and know all the stats on all the horses and cowboys, or you can know absolutely nothing, you are going to have an equally incredible experience because of just how broad the NFR is. The NFR truly captures the Western lifestyle and what it means to be a cowboy.”

Info: MissRodeoAmerica.com