Cambridge-Isanti High School 2026 graduate Pearl Overby held quite the unique title in the state’s high school rodeo scene.
The now Bluejacket alumna was ultimately crowned as the Miss Minnesota High School Rodeo Queen last June on behalf of the Minnesota High School Rodeo Association last summer, before passing on the title and crown last month to the association’s newest queen, Megan Broich.
Overby, who’s been “riding horses my whole life,” first started her rodeo journey roughly four years ago.
“I had originally started out doing the 4-H [competitions], the fun shows,” she said. “My older brother then decided that he also wanted to give rodeo a try as well, and soon enough, all of my siblings and I joined in.”
The 4-H competitions, which is within the state’s 4-H Horse Project, features specific types of equestrian events like drill teams and Western Heritage, according to the University of Minnesota Extension website.
In the drill team events, regional qualifying teams compete in precision riding, as well as timing and speed. Those top teams compete at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. In the Western Heritage events, it tests riders based on historically accurate sportsmanship and overall ranch skills. Minnesota’s State 4-H Horse Show is known as “the pinnacle of the 4-H equestrian year,” which also takes place at the state fairgrounds over the course of several days.
“Growing up, we had all done the 4-H events. We’ve done the county fairs in Anoka and Isanti and all of that, too, but I don’t do that anymore. But, that’s how we first got started in competing in rodeo,” Overby stated.
The Cambridge-Isanti alumna competed in barrel racing, pole bending, and the special queen competitions during her high school rodeo tenure. En route to Overby being selected as the state’s rodeo queen, it all started in the Minnesota state rodeo competition last summer. Overby was granted the ability to sign up and compete within the competition that consisted of eight different categories.
“We were judged on our personality, our appearance, a written test based on the rulebook, a horsemanship pattern, our speeches, our modeling, and then a congeniality voting,” she said.
Overby held the title for exactly one year from June of 2025 until June of this year. With that title, she was able to take part on the national stage after her crowning in Hugo.
“Shortly after I was crowned, about two weeks later, I had to go compete for a National High School Rodeo Queen title in Rock Springs, Wyo. It was such a cool opportunity,” she said. “We were down there for almost a full week earlier than the rest of our Minnesota team that also competed later that week. It was the same type of competition, but it was up against 42 other girls. So, it was a super big deal.”
Following the competition, Overby was able to take part in a variety of unique events and opportunities as the new Rodeo Queen.
“I got to carry the American Flag at all of our regional rodeos, I was able to go help make and coordinate some of our events, and I also attended the Clearwater Rodeo in their Friday night performance last fall where I brought out the flag again,” she said.
Overby says that one of her favorite experiences by far was going to the Minnesota Horse Expo held at the state fairgrounds in Falcon Heights last April.
“We set up a booth and I got to meet a whole bunch of people and just really tell them what high school rodeo was all 2about, as well as being a part of all of their rodeo performances,” she said.
Overby says she was initially shocked when she was first crowned as the new Rodeo Queen last summer.
“I was pretty shocked, to be honest,” Overby said. “I had competed against four other girls who had all done a really great job. I didn’t really know what to expect going into that coronation morning. I remember when it was announced that I won, I just kind of stalled.
“I stopped there and just soaked it all in. Shortly after that, we rushed into our short goal performance, and the rest of the day was honestly a bit of a blur for me. But, I remember that throughout the whole past year how much confidence I gained through the title, but also how many connections I made through it as well. It was super special,” she added.
Now that Overby has graduated, the former Bluejacket is still staying very much involved in the horse world. On top of that, the former Rodeo Queen will be starting cosmetology school at the end of the month in Hopkins.
“If anybody is ever interested in taking that next step in exploring their options with the horse world, rodeo is definitely a great choice,” Overby said. “It’s a stepping stone to go really anywhere in the world when it comes to horses. I would definitely preach to everybody out there to join Minnesota High School Rodeo, it’s quite awesome and I had such an amazing time and experience. I wish I could go back. It was an honor to serve as the Miss Minnesota Rodeo Queen, and it was a moment that I’ll cherish forever.”