Miss Teen Rodeo Washington

Madison McClanahan, a 2024 graduate of Shelton High School, was crowned 2025 Miss Teen Rodeo Washington.

McClanahan, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Idaho, earned the title at the annual competition Oct. 11 and 12 in Ellensburg.

On the first day, she competed in the horsemanship competition at the Kittitas County Fairground and the public speaking and media interview in the theater in the Central Washington University student union building. The next day, McClanahan visited Kelleher Ford and answered questions and then appeared in a fashion show, dinner and program at CWU. She will be crowned at a ceremony in Shelton in March.

McClanahan has competed in rodeo events since she was 7 years old.

"I think I love the competitive aspect," she said in a telephone interview with the Journal. "The best friends I have I've met through rodeo."

As Miss Teen Rodeo Washington, McClanahan said she will travel the state making appearances at schools and events representing the National Rodeo Association and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

McClanahan's mother grew up competing in rodeo events and the family always had horses. Her first event at age 7 was dummy roping. She went on to compete in pole bending, goat tail tying and barrel racing.

For three years, McClanahan competed in the reined cow horse competition at the National High School Rodeo Association's Reined Cow Horse Championships. In that event, riders must control the horse's movements while in the ring. Midway through the allotted time, a cow is released into the rodeo ring and the rider must control the horse to control the cow.

McClanahan said she's never suffered a serious injury while training or competing. A broken arm was courtesy of a scooter accident.

Few of McClanahan's hometown peers were similarly engaged. "No one at school rodeoed," she said.

As a senior at Shelton High School, McClanahan was captain of the cheerleading squad and the dance team.

At the University of Idaho, McClanahan is studying to be a veterinarian. "This is the first time since I was 7 that I haven't rodeoed or had a horse," she said.