Arleta Thiessen
Arleta, along with her husband Orin and their two children, Emery and Lincoln, live in Sundre, Alberta, where they help run Orin’s family ranch. Arleta's rodeo queen journey began in 2009 when she earned her first title as Miss Rodeo Sundre. She went on to win the Miss Rodeo Canada title in 2012. Since then, she has been actively involved in coordinating queen programs and mentoring young women aspiring to compete for titles. The experiences and life lessons she gained during her time as a rodeo queen are ones she will always cherish. Arleta is deeply honored to be invited to be a judge for this year’s Miss Rodeo Canada competition. She wishes all the contestants an enriching experience and offers this advice: always be true to yourself in every aspect of the pageant.
Mel Hyland
Mel is a celebrated rodeo athlete, with four Canadian Saddle Bronc titles, one Canadian Bareback title, one amateur Saddle Bronc title, and two Worlds Championship Saddle Bronc titles. He was inducted into five different halls of fame in the USA and Canada, and has been celebrated with many prestigious awards such as the Canadian Cowboy of the Year award. After leaving the world of professional rodeo, Mel focused on horsemanship. He studied with some of the greats like Ray Hunt and Dennis Reis. He has been a much sought after colt starter, clinician, advisor and private teacher. His philosophies are that the horse is never wrong, and that the horse knows when you know and he knows when you don’t know. He stresses the importance of feel, timing and balance, and helps students focus more on themselves which has a direct effect on the horses behaviours and performance. Mel has been involved in three different colt starting challenges, and was the winner of one.
On a personal level, Mel is a family man and a musician. He and his wife Marjie have a large family and enjoy spending time with them and playing music together. Mel has written and recorded many songs over his lifetime, and in recent years he put out a remix of his favourites with Marjie and three of their children, produced by Allan Christy. It is Mel’s desire to share with others what he has learned over a lifetime in the world of horses.
Cheryl Daines
Cheryl Daines, a former Miss Rodeo Canada, is married to Canadian Bronc Riding Champion
and nine-time NFR saddle bronc qualifier, Duane Daines. The couple lives on their family farm
near Innisfail, Alberta, where Duane operates the Innisfail Auction Market. Together with their
daughter, Sydney, and son-in-law, Quentin, they also manage a cow-calf operation.
An accomplished horsewoman, Cheryl raises and trains barrel horses alongside Sydney. No
stranger to the rodeo arena herself, Cheryl has twice qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo
(CFR) in Ladies Barrel Racing—on two different horses. Sydney has followed in her mother’s
footsteps, qualifying for the CFR three times on a horse named Honour Before Fame (aka
“Flame”)—a horse Cheryl bred, raised, and trained on their farm.
Cheryl’s rodeo queen journey began as Miss Ponoka Stampede. She later held the titles of Miss
Red Deer and Miss Rodeo Canada. During her reign, Cheryl had the unique opportunity to
represent Western heritage as Miss Rodeo Canada at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary,
which hosted the first Olympic rodeo. She has since continued to contribute to the rodeo
community by judging rodeo queen pageants and 4-H public speaking competitions.
After a fulfilling teaching career, Cheryl recently retired and now enjoys riding, playing pickleball,
and, most importantly, embracing her new role as a grandmother to Josie Joyce—truly the
greatest gift of her life.
Cheryl extends her best wishes to all Miss Rodeo Canada contestants. Enjoy the journey, and
remember:
“Don’t let anyone ever dull your sparkle.
”
Kiki Shumway
Kiki Shumway of Scottsdale, Arizona, has been involved in ranching, farming, and rodeo for more than 40 years. A past President of the Washington State High School Rodeo Association, and the Miss Rodeo Washington organization, she also made history as the first woman to chair the Horse Heaven Round Up PRCA Rodeo in Kennewick, Washington, and has served on the Columbia River Circuit Board of Directors.
For over three decades, Kiki has been deeply dedicated to the Miss Rodeo America program, producing the Fashion Show in Las Vegas during the pageant and serving on nearly every committee. She has been a long-time member of the Executive Board, including multiple terms as President, which position she currently holds. In 2018, she was inducted into the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame.
Passionate about mentoring young women and preserving our western heritage, Kiki continues to give back through her leadership, volunteer work, and most importantly, by sharing her love of the sport of rodeo and the western lifestyle with others. Kiki has 3 sons and 5 grandchildren. In her spare time she loves to golf!
