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Along the way , Morgan has made many memories . One highlight of the year was when 10 state queens got to participate in the ranch rodeo in Abbeville , Kansas . Morgan said doing ranch work while competing was so much fun . However , her favorite part is all the people she has met . " I ' ve met so many people from all over the country , all different walks of life , just through having a crown on my head ," said Morgan . " It ' s just been a blast being able to hold this title , being in this role , meeting so many people . Having these experiences has just been phenomenal ."
Per the website , Miss Rodeo South Dakota also has " high moral and ethical character . She is a young lady who is a talented , presentable horsewoman with vast knowledge of the equine industry and exhibits the careful and humane treatment of animals ."
Morgan ' s experience with horses started at an early age . Growing up , her family had six horses on their small farm outside of Atwater , Minnesota .
" My dad grew up riding horses so that was something that I ' ve just always had ," said Morgan . As a result , she was able to sit in a saddle by the age of 3 .
At the age of 10 , Morgan began competing in western pleasure and western horsemanship competitions . For riding , she did western pleasure and English pleasure . Meanwhile , the horsemanship work was based on how well you could ride , how well your horse could move and how well you could maneuver and handle your horse .
It was a slower paced environment , and Morgan appreciated that it was based on how well you could ride since that was something she could always improve on .
Along with this , a lot of the horse shows and events Morgan did were through 4H .
" 4H was always a great place to meet a lot of people , and that ' s where I met some of my very closest friends to this day ," said Morgan .
Morgan also participated in FFA in high school where she did various competitions and was an officer in her chapter .
Inspired by growing up with the animals on her family farm , Morgan said , " I knew I always wanted to work with animals . I never knew quite in what capacity , but animals in general have always been something I wanted in my life and future ."
As a result , Morgan said , " I was an animal science major going into college , and I just wanted to help animals ."
College was a great experience for Morgan . She loved her classes , teachers and the clubs and activities she was a part of . In her sophomore year , she joined the Division I Women ' s Equestrian Team and competed on the horsemanship team . She was even a captain of the team her senior year .
" It was a really good group of girls that had the same passion for horses ," said Morgan .
Finally in 2020 , Morgan graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Animal and Agricultural Science with a minor in Equine Studies from South Dakota State University .
According to the website , Miss Rodeo South Dakota is also " goal oriented and wants to be a leader in her community and is interested in furthering her chosen career ."
Along these same lines , Morgan went on from college to get certified in equine massage therapy and started her own business called At Your Best Equine Massage Therapy . She plans to expand this business more in the future .
In the meantime , Morgan is a substitute teacher and a basketball coach at a school in Hot Springs . This flexible schedule allows her the time to continue traveling the country with her rodeo royalty duties .
From 2019-2021 , Morgan served as Miss Rodeo Aberdeen , carrying the title for two years due to Covid-19 . Then in 2022 , she was Miss Black Hills Stock Show before carrying the crown of Miss Rodeo South Dakota beginning in January of 2023 .
" It ' s just been so special to have the experiences and the opportunities that this crown has given me ," said Morgan .
" Just an incredible thank you to all our supporters , the Miss Rodeo South Dakota board and our committee . My national director Cindy has been a rock throughout this whole year . And of course , the biggest thank you to my parents ," she said .
As a state rodeo queen , Morgan will have the opportunity to compete at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant December 3rd through the 10th . Should she win , Morgan will give up her state title to carry her next crown .
Morgan can be found on Instagram at Miss Rodeo South Dakota Official and on Facebook at Miss Rodeo South Dakota . On her social media accounts , Morgan shares " Seize It " moments . In these posts , Morgan captures herself doing things she would not normally do if she stayed in her comfort zone in hopes of encouraging others to seize their own moments .
More information about Miss Rodeo South Dakota can be found at missrodeosd . com .
Down Country Roads
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