Livermore's Own Miss Rodeo California Heads To National Competition

LIVERMORE, CA — Livermore native Morgan Laughlin, 22, is scheduled to compete this month in Las Vegas for the title of Miss Rodeo America.

Laughlin was crowned Miss Rodeo California in Oct. 2019 and held the title throughout the pandemic, as last year's pageant was called off. She is slated to compete against Miss Rodeo titleholders from 31 other states at the Miss Rodeo America 2022 pageant from Nov. 28 to Dec. 5.

On Wednesday it was announced that Laughlin fell ill following the Miss Rodeo California pageant last week "and is under close observation by an outstanding medical team." A family member could not immediately be reached to verify whether Laughlin was still hoping to compete in the national competition, but loved ones asked for prayers for her health, doctors and family.

Anyone who wants to send Laughlin well wishes may do so by sending brief videos to the Miss Rodeo California Facebook page.

Laughlin is pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing and has a knack for reining cow horses, running barrels and working cows, according to her bio. She hails from a six-generation rodeo family and has long practiced rodeo.

The Miss Rodeo California title came with a $2,500 scholarship, chaps and a crown, among other tokens.

"She loves God, her country, and the sport of rodeo," her bio said.

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, Laughlin is participating in the 50 Pink Horse Challenge. The challenge encourages Miss Rodeo competitors across the nation to ride 50 horses to raise awareness of the disease and encourage donations.

The Miss Rodeo pageant winner will appear at nearly 100 rodeos and travel about 100,000 miles, including to schools and other events, the Miss Rodeo America organization said on its website. Miss Rodeo America will also act as a spokesperson at events and appear in western industry advertisements.

"For today's rodeo fans, it's difficult to imagine the world of professional rodeo without [Miss Rodeo America]: her charm, her ability, and most importantly, her knack for turning rodeo spectators into rodeo fans," the organization said.

The first Miss Rodeo America was crowned in 1955.