Behind The Chaps: Miss Rodeo Wyoming

Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2022, Madelaine McElwee’s chaps are white with red, brown, and gold accents. And while these accent colors certainly stand out in the arena, there’s a bit of a deeper meaning behind them.

The red matches the color of the Wyoming state flower, Indian Paintbrush. This flower can be found all throughout the state of Wyoming, and while it’s beautiful and you may want to take it home, it can’t legally be picked.

The brown and gold come together as a tribute to Madelaine’s hometown of Laramie, which is the home of the University of Wyoming. Go pokes!

Another important piece of the chaps are the bucking horses, known as “Steamboat”, down the leg. An official trademark of the state of Wyoming, Steamboat was a legendary bucking horse who also appears on the Wyoming license plate. The iconic photo the silhouette is drawn from was taken at the Albany county fair, an event Madelaine participated in most of her childhood. As a colt, Steamboat broke his nose, leading him to make a whistling noise when he bucked, which gave him his name.

As of the time this is written, Madelaine has yet to wear her chaps to a rodeo, but hopes to break them in and don them across the country as she holds the title of Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2022

See more at MissRodeoAmerica.com