Miss Rodeo Montana 2026 finds her purpose in Big Sky and beyond
By Leslie Kilgore EBS STAFF
Most mornings in Big Sky, Bentley McCullough’s work begins quietly, hands moving in fluid motion as she interprets classroom lessons for a young student at Ophir Elementary School, where she works as an American Sign Language Model. By summer, those same hands will guide the reins as she rides into rodeo arenas across Montana, sash gleaming, American flag flying, representing the state as Miss Rodeo Montana 2026.
For McCullough, the contrast isn’t a contradiction. It’s what motivates her to pursue her dreams in the rodeo world and through education within the deaf community.
“I wanted the opportunity to share my love for interpreting and my love for American Sign Language with a community that may never have seen it before,” she said. “But also on the other side of things, I get the most amazing opportunity to share with the deaf community about rodeo.”
McCullough, 24, grew up far from spotlights on her family’s cattle ranch in Geraldine, north in Montana’s Chouteau County. “I grew up on my family’s ranch, fourth generation. We raised Semital Angus cattle,” she said. Her childhood revolved around agriculture and youth livestock showing at the national level.
“My passions were with showing cattle at a young age,” she said.
McCullough first stepped into a leadership role through agriculture, earning titles with the Montana Angus Association, including Montana Junior Angus Senior Princess and Montana Angus Queen. But becoming a rodeo queen wasn’t on her radar until a summer night at the Livingston Roundup in 2024.
“I was at the rodeo, and the prayer was just shared, and the national anthem was just sung, and that’s when I felt the Lord and his plan for me the most,” she said.
Then she watched Miss Rodeo Montana ride into the arena. “It immediately hit me,” she said. “I thought, I’m going to do that. I know that I can do that.”
She didn’t wait to act. “I Googled it while I was sitting in the stands at that rodeo—what are the requirements to be Miss Rodeo Montana?” she said.
Less than a year later, McCullough was named Miss Rodeo Montana Lady-in-Waiting, and this winter she was officially crowned Miss Rodeo Montana 2026 at the Montana Circuit Finals in Great Falls.
“It was mainly a ceremony for our Montana rodeo community to celebrate a new rodeo queen representing their state, ” McCullough said.
The title comes with a demanding year of service. Montana hosts roughly 40 rodeos between June and August, and McCullough expects to attend nearly all of them.
“As a rodeo queen, our number one job is to serve,” she said. “This year is about serving others more than ever.” That service looks different at every event—flag runs, autograph signings, youth activities and more.
“Whatever a rodeo committee needs,” she continued. “If the rodeo committee says, we want you to do two flag runs and then a flip, by golly, I’m going to be doing two flag runs and a flip.”
In addition to her ambassador role, McCullough continues as an active rodeo competitor. She currently competes in regional barrel races. While her schedule is packed, she continues to train and ride whenever possible, balancing competition with her responsibilities representing the Montana rodeo culture.
McCullough’s two worlds collided when she interpreted a rodeo at the Montana Circuit Finals for students from the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind.
“That was truly a dream realized, because I would have never imagined interpreting a rodeo,” she said.
Recently, McCullough traveled to Rapid City, South Dakota, to attend the 100th anniversary of the Sutton Rodeo, one of the country’s longest-running rodeo events. She joined 18 other state titleholder queens, with responsibilities stretching beyond the arena spotlight.
“Our job there really showed what service looks like,” McCullough said. “We were running flags during the performances, setting balloons for the mounted shooting competition, spending time educating FFA students about rodeo and the Western way of life, and a lot more.”
McCullough believes the rodeo community is uniquely open to connection and support.
“The western way of life is such a forgiving and accepting community,” she said. “We are people who include others, and love others, and care for others.”
This winter, McCullough remains rooted in Big Sky, volunteering at the Montana Winter Special Olympics at Moonlight Basin on March 2. Looking ahead, she’ll also prepare to compete for the Miss Rodeo America title in Las Vegas this December, where she plans to incorporate American Sign Language into her speeches.
“Sign language is such a big part of my life,” she said. “It’s really who I am, and that’s really what a pageant’s all about, showing who I am and what I’m passionate about.”
McCullough shared that community support plays a critical role in funding her year of travel, horse care and competition expenses, including her run for Miss Rodeo America.
“I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support from my community,” she said. “It really fuels everything from my travel to my horse care to my competitions.”
When asked what living in Big Sky is like compared to growing up on a fourth-generation cattle ranch in Geraldine, she said, “This community has absolutely taken me under their wing, and I feel right at home here, even though it’s not where I grew up. The Big Sky community has supported me when I needed it the most.”
McCullough added, “I think a lot of people don’t realize that there is a true Montana community here in Big Sky, with people who support one another. Just like in the rodeo culture.”
McCullough will host her fundraising gala this Saturday, Feb. 7, featuring a welcome cocktail hour, dinner, and live and silent auctions at the Hart Ranch in Gallatin Gateway. Tickets and tables are still available; community members can also support the event by donating auction items if they’re unable to attend in person.
