Bjornberg named Miss Cheney Rodeo

REARDAN - Cheney's rodeo royalty is preparing to kick off a new reign with the upcoming 2025 coronation Friday, May 2.

Whitney Bjornberg, 23, of Reardan, a former Miss Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo Queen, has stepped into the professional rodeo circuit as the newly crowned Miss Cheney Rodeo. Her coronation is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, at 6 p.m. during the annual Cheney Rodeo Auction at the Spokane Tribe Casino.

Bjornberg, who graduated from Washington State University in May 2023 with a degree in animal science, said she made the decision to compete for the title just a week before the application deadline.

"I kinda decided to do this last minute, like maybe a week in advance before we had to get applications in," Bjornberg said. "I got very little sleep and once I got the application in, I had a week before the audition."

Although she didn't win the horsemanship portion of the competition, Bjornberg secured the title after placing highest in the rodeo history and general knowledge section.

"I was given the title the same day as the competition on February 22," she said. "This year the rodeo is a bit behind, so I got the title later than most."

Her upcoming coronation, which includes a silent auction, will begin at 6 p.m. at the Spokane Tribe Casino. Bjornberg said she will be wearing burgundy, her favorite color, and guests can expect table decor featuring roses and leatherwork.

Since her crowning, Bjornberg has been busy representing Cheney and the West Plains region. In March, she attended three different coronation events across the state, including those for Miss Rodeo Washington in Ellensburg, Miss Moses Lake Rodeo, and Miss Omak Stampede.

"My weekends have been pretty full," she said. "Since then, most of my weekends are taken up by organizing my own coronation."

Bjornberg said the community and connection with others have been the most rewarding part of the role so far.

"I have been able to meet a lot of new people, which is what I was looking forward to the most," she said. "So far I have been able to make some new friendships with people in all different walks of life."

Bjornberg grew up going to the fair and rodeo in Davenport and began her horse journey through 4-H.

"I was a little showgirl when I was a kid," she said. "It wasn't until middle school and high school when I decided I wanted to get into rodeo."

While attending WSU, she also participated in ranch bronc riding. Now, in the professional rodeo world, she said she's adjusting to a higher level of competition.

"Lincoln County is not pro - and this is vastly different," Bjornberg said. "Here it is, pro rodeo. We have some different rules. It's like having two different sides of queening."

Her current rodeo partner is a 6-year-old palomino paint mare named Spaz, who she has raised and trained from a young age.

"She is my baby," Bjornberg said. "I've had her since she was a baby. We've been building that bond ever since."

Bjornberg also owns a younger horse, a 4-year-old gelding named Love, who is still in training.

"She's so gentle and sweet," Bjornberg said of Spaz. "She loves treats and scratches and loves attention."

Bjornberg credits her progress and success to the support of board members, the North 40 team, and her younger sister Mackenzie, 18, who has played a major role in helping her prepare for her coronation and events.

"I couldn't do it without them," she said.

Author Bio

Olivia Harnack, Managing Editor

Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.