Meet The Queen: Ohio

By Wrangler Network contributor Miss Rodeo America

Hailing from the buckeye state my name is Mackenzie Brooke Harrold your 2015 Miss Rodeo Ohio! My desire to run for Miss Rodeo Ohio was sparked at a young age after meeting a former state title holder. I fell in love with the essence of what it means to be a rodeo queen. To me, a rodeo queen has the opportunity to help make a difference in the world through expressing her passion for rodeo. Since a young age I have always had a passion for riding. At six years old, I enjoyed playing “Cowgirl” which entailed me sneaking over to my neighbor’s yard and attempting to ride their Great Dane. My father, who grew up working horses decided he was going to throw me on my first horse despite my mother’s fear of them and I never looked back. I continued riding and joined 4H. By the time I was ten my favorite hobby was spending my time every morning working at a neighboring barn in the area where I eventually got my first horse! I’ll never forget the first day I went to ride him after I signed the papers. I woke up at the crack of dawn so excited. I ran into the barn saddled him up and within three minutes in the saddle he threw me on the ground. As the years went by I lived at the barn and created some of the best friends I will ever have. My friends at the barn were very heavily into showing and invited me to take my horse to my first show. My mother, still very terrified of horses finally agreed to let me go after Weeks of begging. Waking up the morning of my first show was like waking up on Christmas morning. I was so excited to send my horse down the alley way into the arena. That was until he broke a couple bones my hand a few minutes before my class. I didn’t want to tell anyone because I knew my friends and mother would not let me ride. So I simply threw some gloves on and convinced everyone that wearing gloves in the middle of August was the latest trend all the cool children were doing. The rest of the show went great and I managed to win my class! Once Monday rolled around I went to school so excited to show my fellow peers my ribbon. That was, until my teacher saw the swollen black knot that once was my hand and called my mother. As I became older my passion never seemed to die. I started showing throughout the states and became very involved with the AQHA, IBRA, IHSA and NBHA. This year as Miss Rodeo Ohio has been one of the best of my life. Meeting new people and traveling all over the world to rodeos, farms, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and so many other places is such a blessing. Since July, I have traveled about 14,189.8 miles sharing my passion with the rest of the world and have no plans to slow down anytime soon. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would have this opportunity. Thank you to everyone who has stood by me through my journey. Especially, my family and friends, I don’t know what I would ever do without you. There are some days I still cannot believe I am able to wake up doing what I love. The only advice I have for those chasing your passion is to never give up. There are going to be tough times but just remember The State of Ohio’s Motto, “With God All Things Are Possible.”