Get ready for sparkle, grit, and rodeo spirit as Sheridan County welcomes this year’s Miss Rodeo Sheridan County Contestant and special guest Miss Rodeo Nebraska Lady-In-Waiting to the 2025 Fair!
The public is invited to attend and support the contestants during the Miss Rodeo Sheridan County Pageant on Thursday, July 24th. Events kick off with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church, followed by the Speech Competition at 12:00 p.m. and On-Stage Personality Questions at 12:30 p.m. Each contestant will showcase her communication skills, confidence, and poise during this segment. The Horsemanship portion will be held at 3:00 p.m. at McGinley Arena, where contestants will demonstrate their riding abilities.
The day will conclude with the much-anticipated Coronation Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. at McGinley Arena, where this year’s Miss Rodeo Sheridan County will be crowned shortly before the first PRCA Rodeo Performance!
Young cowgirls can also join the fun! The Princess Contest for ages 8 to 13 will take place on Sunday, July 20th, before the Junior Rodeo! This is a great opportunity for the next generation of rodeo queens to get involved, build confidence, and celebrate the Sheridan County Rodeo.
Come cheer on our local rodeo royalty and witness the talent, horsemanship, and character that make these young women role models in our community!
Contestant:
Rylei Manion is the 14 year old daughter of Mike and Carri Manion. She attends Hemingford Public Schools as an upcoming sophomore, where she also is on the volleyball team and has played on league for several years. Outside of school, Rylei participates as a member in 4-H and has played softball for several years.
In addition to school and organized sports, her family owns and operates a cow/calf operation, along with custom backgrounding cattle at their family owned feedlot and custom haying operation. Rylei has had years of experience working at the family feedlot in every aspect from sorting, processing, feeding, loading and shipping cattle. Her favorite part is managing the bud box and pushing cattle up the alley. She is highly relied upon to keep the operation of processing smooth and efficient. She is also very involved in the family custom haying operation where she is primarily responsible for mowing hay with triple mowers. She’s also responsible for the assistance of relocating equipment, and either raking or baling livestock feed commodities. Although, Rylei is currently well versed, she remains open and receptive to learning and growing in the agricultural industry and is eager for the opportunity to try out for the Miss Rodeo Sheridan County Queen Contest.
Visiting royalty: Miss Rodeo Nebraska Lady-In-Waiting
Brylee Thompson is a 21 year old from Hershey, Nebraska. She is a recent graduate from Mid Plains Community College in North Platte where she achieved her business degree with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and leadership. Brylee’s goals are to work in the agricultural industry and would like to own her own business, that would allow her travel and support the sport of rodeo. Brylee’s life goal is to always spread kindness and lift others up. She wants to be a person who focuses on the positive in every aspect of her life. Brylee wants to Lead with Light everywhere she goes as Miss Rodeo Nebraska Lady in Waiting 2026.