Last year, Brianna Merriel attended the First Frontier Circuit Finals in Harrisburg, Pa. When she saw the beautiful rodeo queens with their big smiles in the arena, she turned to a friend and said she wanted to do that. Little did she know that less than a year later, she would receive the Miss Rodeo New Jersey title. Merriel...
Brianna Merriel is the 2016 Miss Rodeo New Jersey (Photo by Taylor Sickler Photography) Last year, Brianna Merriel attended the First Frontier Circuit Finals in Harrisburg, Pa. When she saw the beautiful rodeo queens with their big smiles in the arena, she turned to a friend and said she wanted to do that. Little did she know that less than a year later, she would receive the Miss Rodeo New Jersey title.
Merriel was chosen as Miss Rodeo New Jersey on Jan. 9 at the pageant held at Stargate Farm, in Allentown, N.J. Merriel said she hopes to inspire younger boys and girls that they can accomplish anything if they set their minds to it. At the same event, Devin Clark was awarded the title of Miss Teen Rodeo New Jersey.
Merriel, 19, hasn't yet competed in any rodeos, but does compete in local barrel racing jackpots. Another goal is joining the Women's Professional Rodeo Association this year, and taking barrel racing more seriously.
Born and raised in Upper Pittsgrove Township, Salem County, Merriel is currently a sophomore at Rowan College, majoring in education with a certification in special needs. She also works part-time at Pino Agency in Elmer, and is working towards completing her real estate license course to become a licensed salesperson. Her career goals include becoming a state game warden.
Merriel's family had a horse for before she was even born. When she was 3 she was kicked in the head by her first pony's foal but despite that, "I like to say not only are horses in my heart but also in my blood," said Merriel. She didn't seriously show until eighth grade, when was 13.
Merriel owns two off-the-track thoroughbred mares, both 16.2 hands tall. She competed in English and Western classes, from hunter/jumper to barrel racing, with her horse Gabby.
"My new horse, Rua, is a big project horse," Merriel said, adding that she accepts the challenges she's presented with and makes the best of it. She plans to train Rua for the hunter division, and sell her to someone that would take her to the horse shows and luscious green pastures she deserves. "Gabby will always have a place at my farm for she is the horse that taught me everything I know today. I look forward to taking her in rodeo Grand Entries (when all the horses ride into the arena before a rodeo), as well more parades," said Merriel.
She wants people to know that rodeos aren't just about going fast and holding on tight. "It's about the friends that become family and the dreams that become reality," she said.
Her duties as Miss Rodeo New Jersey include representing the beauty of the state. "It is my job to help spread the work of the importance of preserving the western lifestyle, be of service to local communities, and an active role model for young girls of all walks of life," she said.
In her speech before the pageant judges, Merriel said that "Growing up, I was the little girl who would imagine a horse running next to the car jumping all the signs and guard rails. Now I am still the little girl that imagines my horse weaving in and out of all the telephone poles, switching my shoulders as if I'm switching leads. When I found myself "barrel racing" around shopping carts at the grocery store, I know that is was what my heart was set out to do ...Barrel racing can be applied to many aspects in life, once you leave the alley way into the wide open arena, it's just you and your horse -- that's when you know its game on. Much like life, your parents can lead you through the alleyway of childhood but once you get up to the gate, it's up to you to turn each barrel, one step at a time."
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Miss Teen Rodeo New Jersey
Devin Clark is the 2016 Miss Teen Rodeo New Jersey. (Photo provided) Newly crowned, Miss Teen Rodeo New Jersey, Devin Clark, 16, lives in Tinton Falls and attends Monmouth Regional High School.
While she has been involved with horses since age 4, she doesn't have a horse of her own. She competes on her trainer Beth Bubadias' horse, Boomer, and they've been quite successful in barrel racing and Western speed. Last year, Clark was the Central Jersey Horseman's Association western speed division grand champion and the Touch of Magic Buckle Series youth grand champion. She participated in the International Barrel Racing Association (IBRA) 2015 National Qualifier for both youth and open in Cloverdale, Ind., and was the only New Jersey youth to bring home a check from the sponsors/directors race. She was also the IBRA youth 2D winner for 2015 year-ends awards.
Clark entered the Miss Teen Rodeo New Jersey competition because she is a competitive barrel racer and loves the sport of rodeo. "Spreading the Western lifestyle was something I've always done so it made perfect sense to me. I'm told my first word was 'dad' and my second was 'horse,'" said Clark.
She hopes to attend Meredith Manor International Equestrian College to become an equine massage therapist and equine chiropractor.
When asked what she would like people unfamiliar with rodeo to know about it, Clarke replied, "Rodeo is an American favorite pastime and still remains a relevant and exciting sport."
Her duties as Miss Teen Rodeo New Jersey includes "promoting the sport of rodeo and the Western way of life all while keeping the state of New Jersey close to her heart."
She also serves as an ambassador for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in New Jersey.
For more information about the Miss Rodeo New Jersey program see www.missrodeonewjersey.com
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