FLORENCE, S.D. —
Callie Mueller
, 24, was recently crowned as the Miss Rodeo America 2025 at the National Finals Rodeo in December in Las Vegas, Nevada. Previously serving as Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2024, Mueller said her journey to the prestigious crown has been a blend of hard work, personal growth, and a deep love for the rodeo and agricultural communities.
Mueller, a native of Florence, South Dakota, has been involved in agriculture and horses since childhood. She credits her involvement with 4-H and FFA as helping shape her path.
“I come from generations of farmers and ranchers in the northeast part of South Dakota, and I grew up on the back of the horse before I could walk,” she said. “I did a lot of public speaking, leadership opportunities, and of course I was involved with the horse projects — everything horse with 4-H and everything horse with FFA as well.”
Mueller’s rodeo queen journey began in 2019 when she saw a poster for the Jackrabbit Stampede Ambassador contest. She competed for the first time that year, beginning a streak of rodeo queen titles.
“It was kind of cheesy, but it clicked with me,” Mueller recalled. “I love horses, I love rodeo, and I love the sport, and where it comes from. Why not go for this?”
Throughout her time as
Miss Rodeo South Dakota
, Mueller traveled extensively, riding unfamiliar horses and constantly studying to prepare for the Miss Rodeo America competition.
“I always traveled with study materials. I’m a teacher, so I definitely believe in the power of study, and making sure that if you study long enough, it turns into a review,” she said. “I’ve prepared for Miss Rodeo America ever since I started rodeo queen competitions, and I really have never taken a break from studying.”
Contributed
The competition for the title of Miss Rodeo America is fierce. This year, 29 competitors vied for the title, and Mueller said there were many strong fellow competitors. She also took home the appearance category, a personal goal she set for herself.
“I love fashion, I love clothes, and I had set that goal not only to bring the Black Hills gold back to South Dakota, but also to snag the appearance award,” Mueller said.
Mueller describes the moment she was crowned as surreal.
“When they called Miss Rodeo Texas as first runner-up, I realized it was me. It was just so unreal. I looked at Miss Rodeo America 2024, Emma Cameron, and I said, ‘Is this real?’ It felt like someone needed to pinch me.”
As Miss Rodeo America, Mueller is determined to use her platform for a cause close to her heart: “Faith Over Fear.”
“One of my best friends, Evie Kahnke, was diagnosed with cancer our senior year of high school, and that was her platform,” Mueller said. “After she passed, I really felt the need to continue this because it’s not only something she believed in, but it’s also something I really believe in.”
She wants to spread this message of faith over fear to people across the country, inspiring them to embrace faith as they face challenges.
“I hope to inspire others to instill this faith over fear mindset every day,” she said. “No matter if they do take it on a religious standpoint, or if it’s just believing in themselves that they can go through whatever is happening in their life.”
Mueller will have a busy, but exciting year ahead as she travels the country representing the professional sport of rodeo and the agricultural and western industries. Her first stop will be at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.
In addition to her duties as Miss Rodeo America, Mueller is also a published author. Her book can be found on Amazon, Thriftbooks or Barnes and Noble.
“I published my first book, which is titled Faith Over Fear, and that shares my personal faith over fear story,” she said. “It talks about Evie and I as children, and it goes into how she was diagnosed with cancer. And then I had to come to the reality of putting faith over fear every single day in my life.”
Looking ahead, Mueller remains focused on her mission to inspire others through her faith and experiences.
“To be able to take my servant’s heart to the national level as Miss Rodeo America, and represent not only my state, but my community of Florence — they are so supportive and super excited, and it means everything to be able to show people across the United States that South Dakota has hardworking, caring people.”
Kennedy is a reporter for Agweek based out of South Dakota. She grew up on an organic crop farm where her family also raises cattle in eastern South Dakota. She graduated from South Dakota State University in 2023 with a major in agricultural communication and minor in agricultural business. She enjoys connecting with producers and agribusinesses across the region while reporting on all things agriculture.
