Meeting Royalty in the Arena: Celebrating Rodeo Queens at the APHA World Show

We had the absolute pleasure of meeting three of Texas’ rodeo queens at this year’s American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Championship Show this month—and what a treat it was! These young women are not only beautiful representatives of our western heritage, but also intelligent, passionate ambassadors for rodeo, horsemanship, and Texas youth. We’re proud to introduce you to Reanna Santos (Miss Rodeo Texas 2025), Abigail Johnson (Miss Rodeo Texas Teen 2025), and Kate Dill (Miss Rodeo Gainesville 2024)—our featured rodeo royalty and the stars of this month’s coloring sheet!

Each summer, the APHA World Championship Show brings together the best Paint Horses and their riders for world-class competition at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The event runs through June and July, with divisions for Open, Amateur, and Youth competitors. Events include reining, roping, hunt seat, Western pleasure, and more—all celebrating the versatility and beauty of the Paint Horse. With over $1.5 million in awards and prizes, it’s a highlight of the equestrian world and a wonderful celebration of equine talent and dedication. Learn more about APHA and their programs at apha.com.

The presence of our rodeo queens at the show reminded us just how deeply connected the horse world is—from show rings to rodeo arenas. The Miss Rodeo Texas program has been a beloved Texas tradition for nearly five decades, selecting representatives based on horsemanship, personality, and appearance. These titleholders serve as Goodwill Ambassadors for the sport of rodeo, encouraging Texas youth to honor our state’s rich western heritage and promoting the role of agriculture in our daily lives. You can learn more about the Miss Rodeo Texas organization at missrodeotexas.com.

At Texas Equine, we proudly support the parts of the Miss Rodeo Texas mission that focus on youth empowerment, education, character-building, and the preservation of western traditions. We admire these young women for their commitment to being role models and for the poise and integrity they bring to every interaction.

To celebrate our time at the APHA World Show and the incredible queens we met there, August's free downloadable coloring sheet features Reanna, Abigail, and Kate in all their rodeo glory! Let your little ones (or your inner child) enjoy coloring their beautiful Western attire, sashes, and cowgirl hats! You can download the sheet now at www.texaseeh.com/color/.

Let us know if you'd like to meet more equestrian royalty in the future—we're always excited to shine a spotlight on the young women making a difference in our horse-loving world.