SUNDRE – A fourth-generation cowgirl who grew up on a Bergen-area farm and calls Sundre her hometown starts her reign as Miss Rodeo Canada 2025 on Jan. 1.
Codi Wilson hopes to set an example for others to never give up on their dreams despite setbacks.
“I ran last year and didn’t win and was given the opportunity to come back again,” she said.
Wilson, who most recently held the title of Miss Rodeo Edmonton, was one of seven contestants in the running for the national title and ultimately went on to be crowned on Friday, Oct. 4 at Rogers Place in Edmonton during the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
“It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime things that you dream about for so long,” the 24-year-old told the Albertan. “So it still feels a little surreal, honestly, that I have the honour to carry this title for the year. But I am super thrilled.”
The other contestants were: Ainsley Zayac, Miss Rodeo Hanna; Ari Dyck, Miss Rodeo Agribition; Ellen Van Noordenburg, Miss Strathmore Stampede; Emma Atkinson, Medicine Hat Rodeo Queen; Jamie Davies, Miss Rodeo Sundre; and Olivia MacLennan, Miss Ponoka Stampede.
And any one of them was worthy of the wearing the crown in their own rights, said Wilson.
“It literally comes down to the wire,” she said when asked whether she was surprised or if perhaps she had been confident about her odds.
“The organizers were saying that this was probably the toughest competition they’ve seen,” she said.
“Each of the girls running were super great competitors and everybody was so deserving. So really to come out on top, it made that win even more special, I would say, because I had to put in that extra work and really rise to the occasion in order to surpass those girls when they were each so individually talented as well,” she said.
“When they called my name, it was definitely … a very special moment.”
A moment that might not have come to pass had Wilson decided against running again after coming up short last year.
Resiliency pays off
“I think there’s something special too about that resilience side of things,” she said.
“Having to come back and not giving up on a dream, I think, is something that was really important to me to sort of lead by example for other kids too, and show them that you’re not always going to be successful your first attempt,” she elaborated.
“But if you continue to work hard and go after those dreams, anything is really possible.”
Making the moment all the more special, she said, was the CFR’s return to Edmonton after five years in Red Deer, a development she played a part in during her time as Miss Rodeo Edmonton.
“I got to sort of play a role in helping to bring it back to Edmonton, and so I had quite the journey,” she said. “It’s kind of kind of cool to see that history be rewritten and come back together.”
The rodeo life was ingrained in her at a young age when she began competing in junior rodeos as her family travelled the circuits in Alberta.
She became a member of the Alberta High School Rodeo Association when she was in Grade 6 and remained a member until she graduated from high school in 2018, along the way competing in events such as barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, break-away roping and girls cutting.
In 2016, Wilson was crowned Alberta High School Rodeo Queen in 2016 and in 2019 went on to become the Alberta High School Rodeo Queen coordinator.
A graduate of Sundre High School, she largely attributes who she is today to the community.
Hometown roots
“Sundre has always been home to me. So it’s really special to have so many of the community members rally behind me,” she said.
“So much of who I am today, I would say, came from my experiences growing up being involved in different community clubs like 4H and dance and leadership and school sports and all of that,” she said.
“I’m just really grateful for the people who have been behind me and have supported me throughout this whole journey.”
Currently finishing her sixth year of a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education combined degree with a major in Indigenous Studies at the University of Lethbridge, she relishes the opportunity to share western history, culture and the rural way of life.
“I’ll be finishing that degree in December. I’m just in my final practicum in Caroline right now,” said Wilson, adding she is teaching Grades 4-7 phys ed, Grade 6 language arts, as well as Grade 7 social studies.
“Continuing to get to inspire the next generation of rodeo competitors is something I’m passionate about as well,” she said.
Although her schedule for the 2025 season hasn’t yet been booked, she said Miss Rodeo Canada has in the past been on the docket to appear at the Sundre Pro Rodeo.
“I really hope I’m able to attend as that’s always a really special one to get to come back to,” she said.
The Miss Rodeo Canada program’s selection process has evolved since the early years, when a contestant was crowned after selling the most tickets to the rodeo or were chosen by people buyings tickets for their favourite queen.
By the 1970s, the public’s votes counted toward a large portion of the contestant’s final score. But today, a successful candidate is determined by their individual talent through a panel of qualified judges who consider poise, personality, public speaking, modelling, rodeo knowledge and horsemanship skills.
Bright future ahead
Until Jan. 1, Wilson was the lady-in-waiting under the transitional guidance of Miss Rodeo Canada 2024 Kaylee Shantz, herself a former Miss Rodeo Sundre.
Wilson said when asked what she most looks forward to once she officially dons the crown come the new year will be gaining experience, making new memories and meeting new people across the country.
“You have a year to make a difference in growing the sport of rodeo. And so I’m mostly just excited to see where the year will take me, and I guess, see what’s possible with this title,” she said.
While the latest accomplishment of being named Miss Rodeo Canada is the goal Wilson said she’s aspired for and worked towards for many years, she also has her sights set on the future.
“Moving forward, I’m really excited for the opportunities that will come from this experience and the people you meet,” she said. “You just never know what doors are going to be open from there.”
Expressing a passion for playing a role in growing rodeo with an affinity for being involved “in the production side of things” having already provided her voice as an announcer in some high school and amateur rodeos, Wilson said, “I would love to continue that further once I’m done with this.”
Whether that might eventually mean sitting in the announcer’s booth at the Sundre Pro Rodeo remains to be seen.
“I would love it if that were an opportunity that came up to get to advance rodeo announcing into that professional level,” she said. “I think those skills will definitely be an asset when I hopefully continue on in that direction when I’m done.”
