Howdy Y’all,

My name is Mya Pankow and I am over the moon to be representing the WRPR as your 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Queen.

I am 17 years old and a senior at Wausau Area Virtual Education. I have amazing parents, Chuck and Siri Pankow. As well as 2 younger sisters, Autumn and Aspen, who are incredibly supportive and are always on the rodeo road with me. Rodeo is my whole life, which is why I transitioned to an online school setting after my freshman year to better cater my life to it. Outside of the arena, I have found a love for shoeing and trimming horses. I graduate high school at semester next January and from there I will be headed to Dusty Franklins 5 Star Horseshoeing School where I will work to become a Certified Farrier under the American Farriers Association. Additionally, I plan to attend University of Wisconsin River Falls where I will earn a degree in equine science and join the UWRF Rodeo Team. My long term career goals include becoming a Certified Journeyman Farrier through the AFA, specializing in equine lameness and corrective horseshoeing.

I swung a leg over a horse for the first time when I was 3 years old, and haven’t gotten off since. For the last 10 years I have competed in barrel racing under the National Barrel Horse Association. I have also been part of National High School Rodeo Association since my freshman year of high school where I am a 5 event cowgirl, and have competed in every event that women are allowed to participate in. Barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, and team roping. I also run my own business, called Ascent Equine, where I train horses and teach riding lessons.

I am so incredibly passionate about the equine and rodeo industries. I have truly found my home in this sport. In the people, my equine athletes, and the way of life as a whole. As a first generation rodeo athlete, the rodeo queens that I met at the WRPR when I was little played an enormous part in sparking my drive to pursue rodeo. It makes my heart so happy, and is truly an honor, to see this come full circle and be a rodeo queen myself. As the ambassador of the WRPR, I am committed to carrying on the rich traditions and values that the sport of rodeo stands for. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with you all. Inspiring and encouraging others, especially youth, to participate in rodeo is so important in carrying on the rodeo legacy and growing the sport.

Whether as a spectator, an athlete, or committee member, I look forward to meeting and working with you all and representing the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo.

Gratefully yours,

Mya Pankow
2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Queen