FLORIDA’S NEWEST RODEO QUEEN

GROVELAND’S MAKENZIE CONNER WEARS THE 2023 CROWN

Written by: Kathy Ann Gregg

The Miss Rodeo America organization last year changed age requirements for the four queen positions, shifting them upward. And that left Florida with no contestants vying for the Miss Rodeo Florida 2023 title.

So rather than have a repeat of the year 2018, state organizers put their heads together to ensure the organization would have a contestant for the Miss Rodeo America pageant later this year. Accordingly, and with approval from the national level, a “mini pageant” was held on October 29, 2022, resulting in the 2023 Miss Rodeo Florida title being awarded to 21-year-old Makenzie Conner of Groveland, Florida.

Judges from the original September pageant returned to perform their duties in this unusual event, just without other title contestants present. Ironically, it was the year 2018—when there was no Miss Rodeo Florida—that Conner held the title of Miss Teen Rodeo for the Sunshine State. After graduating from South Lake High School in 2019, Makenzie attended the TENAJ Salon Institute where she earned her cosmetology degree, earning honors as a Top 5 student in referrals, rebooking, retail and client satisfaction. She runs her own hairdressing business while helping run her family’s boutique business.

Makenzie was originally into competitive cheerleading but switched to being an equestrian at age 11. After a few lessons, she competed in her first western pleasure horse show, and as the saying goes, the rest is history. She traveled the state showing her American Quarter Horse Association gelding, and even traveled to Texas one summer for a show there. She is not only rodeo oriented, but also supports agriculture, especially in her own community. In high school, she was heavily involved in 4-H and Future Farmers of America chapters. She showed beef breeding cattle, as well as show steers. To this day, she supports the local youth and their projects for the county fair.

Makenzie Conner has been active on the queening scene. In addition to Miss Teen Rodeo, she held the title of Tiny Miss Lake County in 2006, Little Miss Denim & Diamonds in 2008, and afterward she became Miss Silver Spurs for 2019 and 2020. For Makenzie’s reign she will be joined by her 2023 court: Ansley Elizabeth Bo as Miss Teen Rodeo, Briar Osborn as Miss Florida Rodeo Princess, Kinlee Anuez as Miss Rodeo Florida Sweetheart. Makenzie Conner is the lone titleholder not from St. Cloud! The Sweetheart’s dad, Jake Anuez, is a well-known pick-up man on the pro rodeo circuit, so she’s hoping that she will be assigned to attend his rodeos.

Makenzie began her duties as Lady-in-Waiting by attending the Miss Rodeo America pageant in Las Vegas, held just prior to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

“Being Miss Rodeo Florida will allow me to be a part of the passion, dedication and commitment that state titleholders have for rodeo and the western way of life. I also look forward to the experience of learning about rodeo traditions outside of my home state,” Makenzie says. “I want to positively impact the local communities of Florida by sharing our western heritage and educating our younger generations about the importance of agriculture.”

Makenzie began her duties as Lady-in-Waiting by attending the Miss Rodeo America pageant in Las Vegas, held just prior to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. She provided daily pageant updates on the state’s Facebook page. Additionally, she attended the various Lady-inWaiting activities, including their special breakfast, where she became acquainted with several Miss Rodeo America board members, other soon to be state queens, even some sponsors. The gals then sold silent auction tickets for the annual Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association luncheon. That day culminated with attending Round One of the NFR, which Makenzie did with her mother and Laura Kessler—for years national director for Miss Rodeo Florida—all 2022 Miss Rodeo America contestants and her fellow Ladies-in-Waiting. FCM

Roundup

Makenzie Conner, 21, from Groveland, Florida. Miss Rodeo Florida, missrodeoflorida.com