The sixth annual Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Queen Pageant was recently held in Moultrie. Georgia and welcomed a record number of contestants. Twenty-seven girls from two states participated in the day-long event, which crowned six new rodeo princesses and a queen. 

The winners will serve as ambassadors of the Sunbelt Ag Expo and will help promote a positive image and awareness of the importance that the equine industry plays in the state of Georgia. These queens will form a connection between loyal horse owners and enthusiasts, the media and the general public’s perception of horse events such as rodeos, horse shows and other equine events.  

The contestants started the day with interviews with four judges. Next, they participated in a western fashion show and modeled western outfit of their choice. After lunch they headed to the arena for the Horsemanship competition. In addition to interviews, modeling and horsemanship, contestants in the Princess and Queen divisions also took a written test on rodeo knowledge, equine science and agriculture. They also gave three-minute speeches and answered impromptu questions. 

Judges for the pageant includes; Jodie McBee from Quitman, Georgia, Liz Rossman from Senatobia, Mississippi, Brianna Littreel from Lake City, Florida and Billy Hodges from Leesburg, Georgia.

The Horsemanship Division winners included; Teeny Miss — Sawyer Kate Brannan, Tiny Miss — Liddie Harrell, Little Miss — Elle Fugate, Junior Miss — Kristen Anderson, Princess Division — Jamie Parker and Queen Division — Malerie Whitehurst.

Sophia Cork was named Miss Congeniality and Sarah Larson was the winner of the Speech Award. The Miss Photogenic Award winner was Sawyer Kate Brannan. 

The overall winners include:

Teeny Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Princess: Sawyer Kate Brannan from Register, GA

Tiny Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Princess: Liddie Harrell from Kathleen, GA

Little Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Princess: Chloe Crawford from Pavo, GA

Junior Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Princess: Gracie Davis from Patterson, GA

Miss Spirit of Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Princess: Bronlin Willow Reddock from Leesburg, GA

Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Princess: Jamie Parker from Bonaire, GA

Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Queen: Sarah Larson from Leesburg, GA

The newly-crowned princesses and queen will be introduced at the 2019 Sunbelt Ag Expo on Tuesday, October 15 and will be on hand at the Swisher Sweets Farmer of the Year Luncheon to present flowers to the spouses of the 10 state winners. Our new queen, Sarah Larson will represent the state of Georgia and the Sunbelt Ag Expo as she competes in the 2020 Miss Rodeo USA Pageant in Oklahoma in January.

The pageant is supported by the Sunbelt Ag Expo and coordinated by Cindy Wynn. Sunnie Wynn served at the Horsemanship Coordinator. The pageant has sent four previous winners to the Miss Rodeo USA Pageant and has had one National winner. In 2017, Miss Sunbelt Expo Rodeo Queen Brittany Howard was crowned Miss Rodeo USA.