nine queens.
one crown.
Meet the rodeo queens who competed for the Miss Rodeo Canada 2026 crown.
Codi Wilson is Miss Rodeo Canada 2025, a fourth‑generation cowgirl from Sundre, Alberta, who grew up on a farm just south of town and has lived rodeo culture her entire life. From competing in junior rodeos across Alberta to being crowned Alberta High School Rodeo Queen in 2016 and later serving as Alberta High School Rodeo Queen Coordinator, she has dedicated years to mentoring youth and growing rodeo’s queen programs.
Codi first held the title of Miss Rodeo Edmonton before winning the national Miss Rodeo Canada 2025 crown at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton on October 4, 2024. She currently studies a combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education degree with a major in Indigenous studies at the University of Lethbridge and aims to use her platform to share the spirit of rodeo, rural life, and education with audiences across Canada.
Abbey Harty is a rodeo queen from Edam, Saskatchewan, who was crowned Miss Rodeo Agribition 2025 at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. Raised in a rural ranching community, she grew up immersed in rodeo and horsemanship, later becoming an active member of the University of Saskatchewan College Rodeo Team and competing in intercollegiate rodeos across western Canada.
As Miss Rodeo Agribition 2025, Abbey served as a year‑round ambassador for Canadian Western Agribition, promoting Western heritage, agriculture, and youth involvement at rodeos, parades, and community events. She also works in healthcare, providing compassionate care in a group home and pursuing a career in Practical Nursing, blending her passion for helping others with her deep‑rooted connection to the western lifestyle.
Ainsley Bader is Miss Rodeo Lea Park, a ranch‑raised cowgirl from Alberta who grew up immersed in rodeo and rural life. She is a proud representative of the Rodeo in Lea Park, where she serves as a rodeo ambassador, promoting rodeo heritage, youth involvement, and community spirit at local events and rodeo exhibitions.
Ainsley has a background in rodeo events and equine work, and she often uses her platform to educate the public about rodeo, ranching traditions, and the importance of supporting local rodeo programs. As Miss Rodeo Lea Park, she embodies professionalism, horsemanship, and a deep connection to Alberta’s rodeo community while representing the Lea Park area on the wider rodeo circuit.
Kyla Lightfoot is Miss Ponoka Stampede 2025, a rodeo ambassador from Alberta who brings a deep‑rooted love for the Western way of life to Canada’s most iconic rodeo. Raised in “Wild Rose Country,” she has been riding since the age of two and has spent years immersed in Alberta’s equine and rodeo communities, competing in 4H Alberta, Extreme Cowboy Racing, Gymkhana, Reining, and the AQHA Show Circuit, where she has earned multiple national championship titles.
Now pursuing a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism at MacEwan University, Kyla uses storytelling to highlight rodeo heritage, community, and the values of integrity, grit, and heart behind the Western lifestyle. As Miss Ponoka Stampede 2025, she represents the 89th Ponoka Stampede by welcoming guests, making appearances at events, and sharing the legacy of the Stampede with warmth, authenticity, and a bilingual touch.
Shaylynn Amen is Miss Rodeo Taber 2025, a multi‑generation cowgirl raised on a farm in Wrentham, Alberta, just a short drive from the Taber area. She grew up immersed in rodeo and agriculture, starting in junior rodeos and later competing within the Chinook Rodeo Association while also training young horses and riding at local jackpots.
A longtime 4‑H member and four‑year club president, Shaylynn is passionate about mentoring youth riders, coaching, judging, and helping the next generation grow in horsemanship and character. She holds certificates in Business Management and Administrative Office Professional from Lethbridge College and aims to one day manage a horse facility focused on quality care and continuous learning. As Miss Rodeo Taber 2025, she proudly represents Taber’s rodeo community, Western heritage, and the hard‑working spirit of rural Alberta throughout her reign.
Breanna Armstrong is Miss Teepee Creek Stampede 2024, a first‑generation cowgirl from Grimshaw, Alberta, who brings a genuine love for horses, rodeo, and the cowboy lifestyle to her role. Raised on a farm, she developed a deep connection to ranch work and rodeo at a young age, competing in ranch rodeos, barrel racing, and pole bending while also training horses and pursuing a career as a farrier.
As Miss Teepee Creek Stampede, Breanna serves as an ambassador for the Teepee Creek community, proudly representing its rodeo heritage, strong sense of family, and volunteer spirit at the annual stampede and other events. When she is not on horseback or a tractor, she enjoys ranching, branding season, and spending time with friends and family, always ready to lend a hand with a smile and a sense of humour.
Grace LeFresne, originally from Creston, B.C. and living in Airdrie, was crowned Miss Rodeo Okotoks 2024 at the Okotoks Pro Rodeo on August 25, 2024.
Having been around horses her entire life — on horseback before she could walk — Grace came to the role naturally, eager to use the platform to promote the sport she loves. Outside of her royal duties, she works full-time as an equine massage therapist and cares for her own animals.
Grace was raised on a farm where her passion for horses began early, shaped by her family's deep connection to the equine world. Her mother's background in Equine Science helped build her strong foundation in horsemanship. She rode with the Calgary Stampede Ranch Riders in 2023 and 2024 and is currently training in barrel racing, working toward earning her professional card.
Throughout her reign, Grace attended events ranging from the Calgary Stampede and Ponoka Stampede to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton, all while representing Okotoks at parades, community events, and school visits. She credits the role with building her confidence in public speaking and forming lasting friendships within the rodeo community.
Ashley Torpe is a sixth-generation farmer and horsewoman with deep roots in Alberta's agricultural and rodeo communities. She has spent nearly 20 years in the saddle, riding both western and English disciplines, with an equestrian background that includes barrel racing and hunter competition, trained under respected coaches including Olympians and Hall of Fame riders.
As Miss Rodeo Wainwright, Ashley serves as the official representative of the Wainwright Stampede Association, attending multiple rodeos and events throughout the year to promote western heritage and the sport of rodeo. During the Wainwright Stampede, she can be found volunteering around the grounds, carrying flags, and engaging with the community.
Off the horse, Ashley brings that same focus and work ethic to her role in health and safety within Alberta's energy sector, supporting frontline teams and promoting a people-first safety culture across field operations. She also serves on her local rodeo committee, gaining firsthand insight into the work that happens behind the scenes.
Tenley Warburton was born and raised in the rodeo world as the daughter of a professional rodeo athlete. Growing up on a ranch, she has immersed herself in the cowgirl life — moving cattle across the prairies and mountains, pulling calves, competing in small-town rodeos and gymkhanas, and rodeo queening.
Hailing from Hanna, Alberta, Tenley grew up on a ranch running a cow-calf operation alongside plenty of horses, chickens, and dogs. She was deeply involved in 4-H for ten years, rising to become South 4-H Ambassador and provincial public speaking champion. When she's not in the saddle, Tenley enjoys basketball, curling, and hunting.
After completing her senior year at J.C. Charyk School, Tenley set her sights on a career in education, heading to Red Deer to pursue a degree with the goal of becoming a high school social studies teacher.
Tawnie Thompson is an eager and outgoing fourth-generation cowgirl, born and raised on the back of a horse in Drayton Valley, Alberta. For Tawnie, rodeo is more than a weekend sport — it's a way of life. A barrel racer, rodeo announcer, and rodeo queen, she is passionate about the sport that raised her.
Tawnie got her start in rodeo at the age of four, competing in barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying. Her pageant journey began in 2018 with a Junior Miss Rodeo competition, where she took home the Miss Congeniality prize and fell in love with the process. She went on to win the Miss Alberta High School Rodeo title in both 2021 and 2022.
When she looked to pursue bigger titles after high school, she chose to wait until she could represent her own hometown — a community she describes with pride: "We are a very tight-knit community and everybody works together. Our town motto is 'Pulling Together' and that's exactly what we do."
Off the horse, Tawnie has been working toward a diploma with dreams of one day opening her own practice specializing in FASD. She has also given back to her community through her work at Seasons Retirement Community and as a Youth Advisory Committee member.
about the filmmaker
T.J. Kennedy is an Alberta-based filmmaker, photographer, and cinematographer with more than a decade of professional experience capturing the stories that shape Canada’s cultural and political landscape. His work includes feature documentaries, television, commercial production, and political media. Projects range from directing “The Royals” (in production for 2026) to filming “The Edge” on ‘WildTV’ and producing visual campaigns for some of Alberta’s most recognized public figures and organizations.
T.J. is equally comfortable on a rugged film set, on location with a drilling crew, or inside the chamber of the Alberta Legislature. He brings a combination of creative direction, technical precision, and practical adaptability to every project. His experience spans government, private, and commercial productions. He has covered national movements, cultural events, and produced imagery featured by outlets such as Reuters, CBC, The Western Standard, and Photohouse Magazine.
As a producer and director of photography, T.J. focuses on visual non-fiction storytelling and creating cinematic works that blend authentic, character-driven narratives with a strong sense of place. His portfolio includes photojournalism projects as well as commercial and documentary campaigns throughout Western Canada and beyond.
His current focus is on building collaborative partnerships for long-form documentary, branded storytelling, and media development that highlight distinct regional voices and genuine Canadian experiences.