From Hunter-Jumpers to Rodeo Royalty: Meet Faith Roten, Miss Rodeo K-State 2026
- Cadence Brier
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
In a recent exclusive at the Wildcat 91.9 studio, host Cadence Brier sat down with the newly crowned Miss Rodeo K-State 2026, Faith Roten. A freshman pre-veterinary medicine major from Fayetteville, Arkansas, Roten is proof that it’s never too late to switch gears—or saddles.
An Unconventional Start
While many rodeo queens are born into the sport, Roten spent ten years in the world of English riding, focusing on hunter-jumpers and dressage. It wasn't until five years ago that she made the jump to Western disciplines like barrel racing and roping.
"I grew up riding English—completely opposite," Roten shared. "But then I started rodeoing... I even rode ranch saddle broncs for a summer. I’ve really been around the block!"
Why K-State?
Despite being in the shadow of the University of Arkansas, Roten chose Manhattan for its elite agriculture and pre-vet curriculum. Now a freshman, she’s already making waves, balancing a heavy science courseload with daily rides at her boarding stable in Westmoreland.
"I get up early every day to ride," she said. "If I’m going to use my horse for rodeo, he needs to be in shape and look the part." Roten won her title on her "heart horse," a quarter horse named Taco, but plans to introduce a new blue roan named Cash to the queen industry this year.
More Than Just a "Catwalk"
For those unfamiliar with the pageant world, Roten broke down the rigorous Miss Rodeo K-State competition, which includes:
Horsemanship: Demonstrating elite riding skills and patterns.
Speeches: This year’s prompt was "Beyond the Stereotypes."
Modeling: A catwalk featuring both speech gowns and sponsored western wear.
Testing: Rigorous exams on rodeo knowledge and current events.
Photogenic: Ability to shine in staged photos.
Congeniality: Being a welcoming, feminine, personable contestant.
"My favorite by far is horsemanship," Roten said. "I love to show off my horse and my skills because I think it’s so important for a queen to be able to ride well."
The 2026 Vision
As she prepares for her reign, Roten has her sights set on community outreach. Beyond the bright lights of the arena, she plans to visit elementary schools and nursing homes to share her passion for the sport.
"I want to be a voice for the animals and the people in this industry," she explained. "I was a more reserved person before my first title, and this brought out my extroverted side. I want to talk to as many people as possible this year."
Catch Her at the Arena
Roten praised the new K-State Rodeo facility, noting how incredible the atmosphere was during the most recent college rodeo. As a member of the Rodeo Club, she hopes to officially join the competitive team this fall.
Follow Faith’s Journey: Keep an eye out for Faith and her blue roan, Cash, at upcoming rodeos and community events throughout the 2026-2027 season. You can find her on Instagram @missrodeokstate
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