Coalville woman crowned Miss Rodeo Ogden, Miss Rodeo Utah 34 years after mother

Coalville woman crowned Miss Rodeo Ogden, Miss Rodeo Utah 34 years after mother

(Photo Courtesy of Miss Rodeo Utah)


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SALT LAKE CITY — A Coalville woman followed in her mother's footsteps and the pair made history Friday as the first mother and daughter to both win the titles of Miss Rodeo Ogden and Miss Rodeo Utah.

Coalville resident Gena Black said she grew up doing rodeo as a child. She later competed in high school and college and eventually did barrel racing professionally. In May 1981, Black competed in the Miss Rodeo Ogden competition and won the title. She went on to compete in the Miss Rodeo Utah competition later that year and won that title as well.

The Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant was founded in 1955 and runs each year as part of the Ogden Pioneer Days. Contestants are judged on their skills in horsemanship, modeling, photogenics and are required to complete an interview and written test about animal care, rodeo and current events.

During her reign as Miss Rodeo Utah, Black worked to get an official crown and belt buckle that could be passed down to each successor. She succeeded and was able to wear the crown and belt buckle for the second half of her year-long reign before passing it on to the next winner, Cypers said.

Black said her husband competed in steer wrestling and they both rodeoed together for several years. Now, her son competes in steer wrestling and her daughter, Cassidy, competed in barrel racing and breakaway roping in high school.

"It's a family affair," Black said.

"My dad always said I had to be a cowgirl before I could be a queen," Cassidy Black added, laughing.

Gena Black served as the Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant co-director for several years, so Cassidy Black said she grew up around the contest and became close with many of the contestants. She said from a young age, it became her goal to compete.

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"I've witnessed them doing great things with service and educating people about rodeo," Cassidy Black said. "I also want to touch little girl's lives just like each Miss Rodeo Utah that I've been able to be around has touched my life. They were amazing women."

Cassidy Black was crowned Miss Rodeo Ogden on May 2, making history as the first mother and daughter to both win the title, Cypers said. Cassidy Black decided to continue following in her mother's footsteps and competed in the 60th Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant on July 20-24.

After a grueling week of competition, Cassidy Black won Miss Rodeo Utah on Friday night, becoming the second mother/daughter duo in history to both win the state crown.


I ... want to touch little girl's lives just like each Miss Rodeo Utah that I've been able to be around has touched my life. They were amazing women.

–Cassidy Black


"I was just overwhelmed with joy and excitement," Gena Black said of seeing her daughter win the title. "When you watch your kids try for a goal that they might have … and they work so hard and they sacrifice and they try and they try and they finally achieve that goal, it's such a great feeling. You are so happy and excited for them."

Cypers said it was a special accomplishment for the family.

"When (Gena) was first crowned, we didn't have the Miss Rodeo Utah crown and buckle at that time," Cypers said. "Now for it to come full circle and be able to have her daughter wear that crown for a year, too, is pretty exciting."

Along with the title, Cassidy Black won a trophy, a cash prize, a full-tuition scholarship for a semester at Weber State University and the use of a truck and trailer for a year with the option to buy them at the end.

"It's so special because every little girl wants to be like their mom and now I'm just taking one step to be like my mom, which is amazing because she is my hero," Cassidy Black said.

Cassidy Black will begin her reign as Miss Rodeo Utah in January 2016 and will go on to compete in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in November 2016.

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