After 10 years competing in rodeo events, Athol resident Hayven Chase won the title of rodeo queen title, Miss Columbia River Circuit 2026 through the Professional Cowboy Rodeo Association.   

The circuit covers PRCA rodeos in Washington, Oregon and the Idaho Panhandle. 

This was the first year where women from Idaho competed in the rodeo queen contest from Oct. 16 to 18 and Chase is the first woman from Idaho to hold the title. 

“One of the biggest accomplishments for me was that I won the horsemanship category,” Chase said. “I've taken a lot of time over the years I’ve been riding horses to learn so winning that category was super exciting for me.”  

The two-day competition tests the competitors in their horsemanship abilities, public speaking, rodeo knowledge, equine knowledge, appearance, personality, interviews and more.     

“All three contestants knew each other, so it was a lot more fun,” Chase said. “We were all just a group of friends having fun and competing together.” 

One of the complicated portions of the competition is that while Chase was able to bring her 8-year-old American Paint gelding, Legacy, who she raised and trained since birth, there are portions of the competition when the women were asked to ride a different horse to test their prowess with handling other animals under pressure. 

The riders are asked to lead the horses through a pattern. 

“You're doing different circles, lead changes with the horses and just showing how you work with a different animal that’s not your horse,” Chase said. 

She has held PRCA titles of Bonner Country Rodeo Queen, and Miss Gem State Stampede before winning this title. 

Over the next year, Chase will help educate and advocate for rodeo, the western way of life, the agricultural industry and explain how the circuit system works within the greater framework of the PRCA.     

Chase is currently studying in the animal veterinary science business department at the University of Idaho. 

Having originally wanted to be a veterinarian, having her professional and personal interests culminate in the rodeo queen title has been a gratifying experience. 

    After being crowned Miss Columbia River Circuit Hayven Chase poses with pageant president Shane Laib before completing her first "buzz run" with the title.