Paths Cross for Teen Miss Rodeo Winners

By Lara Ivanitch

In late November, Rachael Martin and Sara Richardson, first-year students at NC State University, bumped into each other somewhat by happenstance. They weren’t on campus or in class, however. They met at the Teen Miss Rodeo North Carolina competition in Williamston. 

After discovering they had both started at NC State three months earlier, Martin and Richardson realized they even lived in the same residence hall. 

“It’s crazy that we hadn’t met because there are only three elevators in the dorm, and nobody takes the stairs,” Martin says with a laugh. 

Shortly after that small-world moment, Martin, who served as the 2024 Teen Miss Rodeo North Carolina, helped crown Richardson as her successor.  

Trails to Competition 

Although Martin occasionally rode horses growing up, she first took riding lessons near her home in Wilson when she started high school. Immediately enthralled by horses, her love spread to longhorn cattle after a visit to the home of her riding trainer to see some Texas longhorn calves. One unique calf captured her heart and became the start of her herd.  

After showing Texas longhorn cattle for two years and serving as International Texas Longhorn Association queen in 2023, Martin was crowned Teen Miss Rodeo North Carolina 2024.  

Unlike Martin, Pittsboro native Richardson has ridden horses as long as she can remember. 

“Probably the first time I was on a horse is when I was 1 or 2 years old,” she says.  

Richardson got serious about horses around age 9. After moving from English- to Western-style riding in the last few years, she competed at rodeos — in barrel races, pole bending and other speed events.  

As an active member of the Chatham County 4-H Equestrian Club in high school, Richardson served as its president for a year. She also earned one of four spots on the North Carolina State 4-H Horse Program’s national travel team. While competing in knowledge-based events on the team, Richardson learned about Teen Miss Rodeo North Carolina, a competition that includes riding skills, presentations and equine knowledge.  

Royal Responsibilities 

As Teen Miss Rodeo North Carolina, title holders represent the rodeo industry. 

“That’s kind of the main part of this title,” explains Richardson, “trying to get more people involved and trying to raise interest in the sport.”  

To spread the word, Martin attended rodeos, parades, and festivals throughout the state, such as Benson Mule Days. Every event included signing autographs, taking photos, passing out flyers and talking about agriculture and rodeos. 

Along the way, Martin found inspiration from others who share her passion. “I have a lot of great role models in the industry, and one of my biggest goals is to be a role model like that, especially for the younger generation.”  

Aspirations for the Future 

As a rising high school senior, Martin attended the weeklong Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders at NC State. The institute opened her eyes to an aspect of agriculture she hadn’t considered before: business management.  

Already an owner and breeder of Texas longhorn cattle, Martin plans to use her degree in agricultural business management and minor in animal science from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to grow her small herd. “I want to run a ranch and potentially a beef unit, so I’m here to learn how to manage my ag business and my ranch.” 

At the institute, Martin met John Russ, senior lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, who now serves as her advisor, and Madison Weast, program coordinator for the department’s Office of Student Mentoring. With their encouragement, Martin joined The Squad, a student leadership group within the department, where she helps plan events to get students on campus involved in agriculture.

Richardson studies industrial and systems engineering and is exploring different career paths. “Ideally, I would want to take my engineering degree into either the automotive industry or the agricultural industry and do something with farm machinery,” she says. 

Richardson continues to be heavily involved with the North Carolina State 4-H Horse Program and will compete in two world-level competitions in 2025. 

Extension Associate Alaina Cross and Extension Assistant Lori Stroud run the program, based out of the CALS Department of Animal Science. 

“I’ve probably learned almost all the scientific and industry knowledge that I have from them,” Richardson says. “I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without the CALS [animal science] department, Lori and Alaina, and 4-H.”