The Miss Rodeo Montana Pageant Council (MRMPC) crowned the 2026 Royalty during the Montana ProRodeo Finals. In March of 2025, the newly formed MRMPC held a double pageant for the 2025 titles and the 2026 titles. The 2026 title holders officially received their crowns during the final buckle ceremony honoring other state rodeo champions of the Montana ProRodeo Circuit Finals held at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls, Mont.
The penultimate event provided a high energy and celebratory environment for Miss Rodeo Montana 2026, Bentley McCullough and Miss Teen Rodeo Montana 2026, Emilie Torgerson to receive their titles after winning the pageant last March. Among their friends and families, long-time legacy supporters of Miss Rodeo Montana were on hand to celebrate the passing of the crowns. McCullough received her custom Connolly’s Saddlery made saddle sponsored by Dan and Lila Redding. Both title holders received their custom breast collars also sponsored by the Reddings and trophy spurs made by Montana Silversmiths and sponsored by Dr. Billquist or Dr. “B” as the rodeo community knows him. Callie Adams, Special Events Director for Montana Silversmith also presented the queens with their Miss Rodeo Montana and Miss Teen Rodeo Montana custom buckles.
Bentley McCullough of Geraldine, Mont. was crowned Miss Rodeo Montana 2026. After a clean sweep of pageant categories, McCullough made minimal appearances as the “Lady in Waiting” through the duration of 2025. McCullough is the 23-year-old daughter of Jack and Laurie McCullough. A graduate of Northeastern University, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language – English Interpreting. Her commitment to accessibility and inclusion is deeply tied to her belief in staying true to who you are, core to her personal platform, “Keep Your Brand Burning”. Through her platform, she hopes to inspire others to live with intention, protect the values that define them and carry their personal brand with pride, courage and resilience, no matter where life takes them.
Emilie Torgerson of Bozeman, Mont. was crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Montana 2026. She also won all major categories for her division. Torgerson is the 17-year-old daughter of Nicole Barlow and David Torgerson. She lives in Bozeman and is a junior at Bozeman High School. She enjoys raising chickens, trail riding with her family, playing the trombone, and singing in school. Torgerson says that she has been inspired by the impact of kindness from other rodeo queens, and she hopes to be able to repay their kindness to others. Her goal is to honor the impact of those before her and to make a positive impact on the lives of the people she meets during her reign.
MRMPC is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enrich and promote Montana’s rodeo history and western way of life while fostering a positive and life-skill building platform for Montana’s aspiring rodeo queens. Major sponsors for MRMPC include Montana Silversmiths, Nutra-Lix, Inc., Hoglund’s Work & Western Wear, Dan & Lila Redding owners of Redding Farms, Dr & Mrs. Billquist, Bar HL Studio, and Connolly Saddlery. More information can be found on the Miss Rodeo Montana website at www.missrodeomontana.com.
Photo credits: Art of Aperture Photography
