Juniper Spence has been crowned the 2026 Junior Rodeo Princess for the Superior LIONS Go for the Gold Rodeo following competition at the Mineral County Fairgrounds last week. 

Spence earned the title after demonstrating her horsemanship skills before a panel of judges and will begin the first year of a three-year progression that leads to Rodeo Princess and eventually Rodeo Queen. Spence competed against Jimmie Kelly and Carlie Kovalsky, all from Superior. Each contestant guided her horse through the same series of maneuvers, demonstrating different gaits, carrying a flag and coming to a complete stop in the center of the arena.

Judge Mary Grace Donally explained what the judges evaluated during the competition. 

"We look at how well she holds her seat in the saddle and whether there is stiffness because she should be using her heels as shocks if she's in the correct lead," she said. "I asked for a slow lope on the first pass and then a fast lope on the second. Then I need a lead change, and we want to see them stop in the middle and back up four steps. We want to see supple backing and straight backing." 

After the competition, the judges met to determine the winner. Shawn Heyer, who oversees the rodeo royalty program for the Superior LIONS, announced that Spence had been selected as the 2026 Junior Rodeo Princess.

To be eligible, contestants must be between the ages of 13 and 20, have lived in Mineral County for at least six months and attend, or have graduated from, a Mineral County middle school, junior high or high school. Candidates must have experience with horses through activities such as 4-H, horse shows, horsemanship or rodeo and be willing to represent the community by riding in parades, participating in rodeo events and appearing at community functions. 

The title begins a three-year commitment that progresses from Junior Rodeo Princess to Rodeo Princess and finally Rodeo Queen. Serving as this year's rodeo royalty are Rodeo Queen Josie Crabb and Rodeo Princess Miekolani "Loni" Ruthford.

"The Montana Legacy Project has been a big help the last couple of years," Heyer said. "And our long-term sponsors are solid and remain involved. Lincoln's $50,000 Bar & Restaurant provides the Montana Silversmiths tiaras, and Wendy Russ with Rainbow's End makes the sashes."

"I'm very excited to be a part of the Mineral County Junior Rodeo Princess," Spence said. "I'm looking forward to supporting the community and being that role model for kids."

The Mineral County Fair will be held in Superior July 30 through Aug. 1. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, with the rodeo royalty leading the procession. The Superior LIONS Go for the Gold Rodeo will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 8. Rodeo Chairman Guy Gould explained how the tickets were going to be sold this year. 

“We’re going to have a presale, like we did last year, and that will be on Saturday, July 18th from 9 in the morning until noon. It will be on the (Mineral County) fairgrounds at the LIONS Beer Booth.” 

After that presale, the remaining tickets will be divided up between Darlows Quality Foods and Superior NAPA to be sold until they are all gone, which happens yearly. He said that Redeye Rodeo Company will provide the stock, and Ray Champ will return as announcer. Gould also announced that longtime rodeo clown Dangerous Dave has joined the PRCA, and a new entertainer, Whistle Nut, will make his debut at this year's rodeo.

The 2026 Mineral County Fair theme is "Celebrating 250 Years of America & 80 Years of Fair Traditions in the 54."

From left, the 2026 Rodeo Royality for the Mineral County Fair will be Juniper Spence, Junior Princess, Josie Crabb, Queen and Miekolani ‘Loni’ Ruthford as Princess. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

Rodeo Queen Josie Crabb helps Juniper Spence, newly crowned Junior Princess with her sash as Rodeo Princess Miekolani ‘Loni’ Ruthford watches. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

Rodeo Queen, Josie Crabb places the Junior Princess tiara on Juniper Spence as Rodeo Princess Miekolani ‘Loni’ Ruthford observes. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

One of the tests was how well the candidates rode with a flag in the arena as they will be the doing this on Friday and Saturday nights of the Mineral County Fair for the Go for the Gold Rodeo. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

From left, Juniper Spence, Freshman and Junior Princess; Josie Crabb, Senior and Queen; Carlie Kovalsky, 8th grade; Loni Rutherford, Junior and Princess; James Kelly, Sophomore. Both Kovalsky and Kelly were encouraged to repeat the tryout next year as many contestants do not succeed on their first attempt. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)