Ya Reckon
 | Author:
Denise Thompson, MT43 News AG Correspondent
Denise Thompson |
Denise Thompson
MT43 News AG Correspondent
We have ROYALTY among us!
Ms. Taylor Cartwright, from right here in Townsend, Montana, was just crowned the 2025 Montana State High School Rodeo Queen last weekend in Kalispell. Taylor won Speech (“The Many Lessons”), Modeling and Horsemanship, and was given the honors of Most Photogenic. It is important to note that she rode her trusty 19 year old steed, “Houge” in the horsemanship competition and received a 50/50 score from one of the judges! This versatile horse can do and has done it all. How awesome to see this special mount give her owner such a fine run in the queen competition and spotlight Taylor’s rad horsemanship skills. A mighty duo, ya reckon!?!
This beautiful young lady is the 16 year old daughter of Shawn and Brianne Cartwright and has deep roots in the rodeo world. Taylor just completed her junior year at Broadwater High School, where she has been on the honor roll each year, taking college-level courses from MSU-Billings, and has been competing in basketball, involved in the Yearbook, and serves as Student Council Historian. Taylor has also been competing in junior high and high school rodeo these past six years where barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, and team roping have been her main events. This year she decided to try something new and competed in the queen competition, and it turned out to be a great move.
Honestly, this young lady was born to ride! She is an absolute ‘natural’ horsewoman and it is obvious to see that she has spent a lifetime in the saddle, riding since she was 3 years old; truly a testament to her athletic ability, 6th sense skill-set, and her LOVE for horses and the sport of rodeo.
I asked Taylor why she decided to run for queen and here was her answer: “I decided to run for queen because I wanted to break the stigma behind it. Lots of people think that being a rodeo queen is for people who don’t know how to ride or rope. Many people think that a rodeo queen is something silly. I rodeo because I love horses and there is no better feeling than the rush you get when the gate cracks and you come out of the box or holding onto your barrel horse before you let them take off towards the first barrel. The sense of accomplishment I get from a good run is greater than any other accomplishment I have ever had.” Taylor also stated: “I want people to feel like they can talk to me about anything. I want them to come to me with their problems within rodeo since I am on the board now.”
And, what has been the biggest lesson she has learned as a cowgirl and now as a rodeo queen representing the state of Montana: “The biggest thing I have learned is patience and kindness. With horses you have to be patient and wait on them to do what you ask them to. You can’t really force them to do anything. I learned kindness from just being around so many people because rodeo is a very mentally challenging sport and a simple smile can make someone’s day turn around for the better.”
If Taylor had one wish come true, it would be to increase the accessibility of mental health counselors for people and reduce the stigma that comes with seeking their support. Very noble, Taylor.
Following high school, Taylor plans to compete in college rodeo and pursue a Master’s degree in Psychology. But first, she will head to the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, Wyoming in July and vie for honors of queen at the national level. Over the next 12 months she will represent Montana (and maybe even the nation) in the world of high school rodeo. What a ride it will be! We wish you all the best, Ms. Taylor. Your supporters have no doubt you will continue to shine!
For the Love of Ag, From the Heart of a Western Woman,
Denise Thompson
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: See captions
Image 1 Caption: Your new reigning 2025 Montana High School Rodeo Queen, Taylor Cartwright.
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
Image 2 Caption: Taylor on Shawn Lewis's horse "Yager" carrying a flag at the Townsend Rodeo.
Photo Credit: Mark LaRowe
Image 3 Caption: Taylor and her beloved "Houge" at the 2025 State High School Rodeo Finals.
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
