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A Florence woman is on top of the rodeo world after being crowned Miss Rodeo America on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Callie Mueller, this year’s Miss Rodeo South Dakota, was given a Black Hills gold crown during the coronation ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus. She also won the Appearance category of the pageant.
Callie Mueller
Mueller and the other state titleholders spent the week competing in numerous events where they were scored in areas of horsemanship, speaking, personality, appearance, photogenics and a written test. Events included a written test, horsemanship, speeches, personal interviews, and walking in a fashion show.
Her platform is “Faith over Fear,” which stems from her best friend’s battle with cancer and is also the title of a book she published earlier this year. Mueller comes from generations of farmers and ranchers, and she strives to serve her community and give back to the organizations that shaped her.
Mueller has an extensive background in 4-H and FFA and received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Dakota State University in May 2023.
Mueller will serve as Miss Rodeo America throughout 2025.
First runner up was Miss Rodeo Texas Ashlyn Williams, while second runner up went to Miss Rodeo Colorado Georgia Strimenos. Miss Rodeo Utah McKardy Kelly was third runner-up and Miss Rodeo Florida Brianna Littrell was fourth runner-up.
Other top 10 finalists were Miss Rodeo Idaho Ashley Kirby, Miss Rodeo Nevada Annemarie Vodeges, Miss Rodeo Nebraska JoSee Saults, Miss Rodeo Minnesota Donnae Morton of Winthrop, and Miss Rodeo California Cailee Roper.
Pageant category winners included: Horsemanship: Miss Rodeo Texas Ashlyn Williams, Personality: Miss Rodeo Colorado Georgia Strimenos, Photogenics: Miss Rodeo Texas Ashlyn Williams, Speech: Miss Rodeo Utah McKardy Kelly, Written Test: Miss Rodeo Colorado Georgia Strimenos and Miss Rodeo Montana Amber LaCross (tie), and Congeniality Award: Miss Rodeo California Cailee Roper.
Mueller will make her first “hot lap” under the lights of the Thomas and Mack Center, paired with an iconic Cervi Championship Rodeo horse, on Wednesday night, Dec. 11, as her official introduction of the new first lady of professional rodeo.
Mueller has been involved in rodeo competitions since 2019.
Gov. Kristi Noem congratulated her on X.
