Cassidy Black of Coalville named Miss Rodeo Utah
Cassidy Black, left, reacts at the news of being named Miss Rodeo Utah 2016 during the final night of the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo at Ogden Pioneer Stadium in Ogden, Friday, July 24, 2015. Black had previously held the title of Miss Rodeo Ogden 2015.
Miss Rodeo Ogden 2015 Cassidy Black, seen here at the Ogden City Rodeo, Wednesday, July 8, 2015. Miss Rodeo Ogden is awarded based on horsemanship, personality, public speaking and photogenic categories of competition.
Miss Rodeo Utah Bailey Jo Woolsey, right, and Miss Rodeo Ogden Cassidy Black share a moment at the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo, Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Lorin Farr Park in Ogden, Utah.
Cassidy Black
Cassidy Black
Cassidy Black is congratulated after being named Miss Rodeo Utah 2016 during the final night of the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo at Ogden Pioneer Stadium in Ogden, Friday, July 24, 2015. Black had previously held the title of Miss Rodeo Ogden 2015.
Miss Rodeo Utah 2015 Bailey Jo Woolsey, right, hugs newly crowned Miss Utah 2016 Cassidy Black during the final night of the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo at Ogden Pioneer Stadium, Friday, July 24, 2015.
OGDEN — Miss Rodeo Ogden 2015 has ended her week at Ogden Pioneer Days by becoming Miss Rodeo Utah 2016.
Cassidy Black, 20, of Coalville, was named Utah’s top spokeswoman for rodeo before a sold-out crowd at the Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo at Pioneer Stadium Friday night.
She won during the 60th anniversary of the pageant.
“This is definitely a dream come true,” Black said. “A little girl dreams about being Miss Rodeo Utah,” she said, noting that she’s been dreaming of the title since she can remember.
“I’ve grown up around Miss Rodeo Utah,” she said. “I’ve seen them at their highest highs and their lowest lows,” she said, noting that her mother, Gena Blonquist Black, is a member of the Ogden Pioneer Days committee and a former co-director of the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant. The mother also is a former Miss Rodeo Utah.
“Filling my mother’s footsteps is very exciting,” she said. “She’s my hero. I hope I can do as she did. She is amazing.”
The two become the second mother-daughter pair to win the title. They were the first pair to win the title of Miss Rodeo Ogden.
She is the daughter of Glen and Gena Black and also the sister of a professional rodeo cowboy, Chase Black.
The new Miss Rodeo Utah said she is excited to educate people about rodeo.
“Miss Rodeo Utah exemplifies class and dignity,” she said. “I would love to be among those who have gone before me.”
Besides the top spot, Black was the winner of the appearance and horsemanship awards.
Also winning awards in the contest were:
McKenna Lynn Hales, 18, of Morgan, third runner-up and the winner of the photogenic award.
Samantha Arehart, 19, of Lewiston, second runner-up and the winner of the public speaking and personality awards.
Carlie Brotherson, 21 of Mount Pleasant, fourth runner up.
Jessica Ivie, 21, of Benjamin, winner of the Miss Congeniality award.
Carly Peercy, 21, of South Jordan, winner of the test award.
Savanna Steed, 19, of Ogden, first runner-up.
You may reach reporter JaNae Francis at 801-625-4228. Follow her on Twitter at JaNaeFrancisSE. Like her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SEJaNaeFrancis.
