Pauline Briggs
Pauline Briggs is from Sturgeon County, Alberta and is married to Alan Briggs. She has two children, Nicole and Stephen. Nicole was a former Miss Rodeo Canada in 2014. Pauline was a 4-H leader of the Gibbons 4-H Light Horse Club, teaching for 10 years. She was inducted into the Sturgeon Wall of Fame in 2014. She moved on to participating in the local gymkhana club winning high point in 2012 and held the role of president in 2011-2012. Holding several roles on the Miss Rodeo Canada Board as Webmaster and Vice-Chair, Pauline retired in 2017 after holding the title of MRC President for three years. After spending 40 years working with the Provincial Government Pauline is now enjoying her retirement! You will find her at horse shows, roping jackpots and running the chute at home! She is honored to participate in this prestigious event as one of the judges
Dean Thomson
Dean lives in Calgary, AB and has spent his life being involved in the agricultural industry from 4H to Quarter Horse showing as a youth and amateur. Dean also has experience with thoroughbred racing and cattle. He has been involved as both a competitor and then as a show manager for several organizations throughout Alberta, making him both a qualified horseman and a leader in the industry. He is currently the Facility Manager and Treasurer of the Okotoks Agricultural Society. Dean’s educational background includes a BA in Political Sciences and History from the University of Calgary and he studied Financial Accounting at SAIT. His recent community involvement includes acting as the VP of Finance for the Canadian Assoc. of Fairs and Exhibitions in 2021 and has been a director since 2018. He has been the Secretary of the Okotoks and District Horse Show since 2015
John Windwick
John is a born and raised Albertan! He lives with his wife and daughter (who is in her first year of business at U of C) currently live in Calgary. He is a strong community advocate and builder as he is involved in numerous programs and events. John is a past chair of the Northlands Board of Directors and was the commissioner of the Canadian Finals Rodeo for 9 years. He now sits as chair of the Telus Open PGA Canada Tour and has for the last 10 years. He is also the president of the Edmonton Rodeo Cowboys Benevolent Foundation and is still heavily involved with the board of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sports Medicine Team. He is also a past chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation.
John’s love of rodeo began as a teenager when his close family friend was a bull rider out of the Lamont area and he has been hooked ever since! John says he enjoys a good glass of red, and a cold beer with friends. He is a hockey and golf nut! John has also been a proud volunteer for cystic fibrosis for over 30 years and he received a life time achievement award in 2019.
John has been a banker for over 30 years and is the current VP of Community Initiatives for ATB Financial! ATB Financial is a valued partner of the Miss Rodeo Canada program.
Lois Rissling
Lois (Steen) Rissling grew up on a mixed farming operation in SW Saskatchewan and currently resides in Medicine Hat with her husband Gerard and daughter Brittni. She is employed with Waste Connections of Canada in Medicine Hat. Lois grew up with animals with 4-H being a large part of her life both as member and leader. Horses have always been a part of her life, with the past in Western & English pleasure – today her riding discipline is trail riding.
The western lifestyle has been part of her life, a 4-H member/leader, Val Marie Rodeo Princess, 1981 Medicine Hat Stampede Princess, 1983 Shaunavon Rodeo Queen and 1984 Miss Rodeo Canada Public Speaking award winner. She continued on with the Medicine Hat Exhibition as a Director – Chairing the Stampede Queen Committee, Chuckwagon Committee and liason for the Opening Ceremonies for all arena activities, retiring after 22 years. She was also a member of the Miss Rodeo Canada Committee in 2006-2008.
Her volunteer involvement presented her with the opportunity to join Ducks Unlimited Canada in Medicine Hat. Her roles within this organization took her to the Provincial Council level as Provincial Council Chair, and represented Alberta within the Ducks Unlimited Canada Board of Directors. She had the opportunity to represent DUC at the National Leadership Convention in Memphis TN. Lois was awarded the Ducks Unlimited Volunteer of the Year for Alberta in 2017. She is currently the secretary for the Provincial Council level of Ducks Unlimited Alberta.
Being part of the community Lois lives in and volunteering within that community has been an important part of her life both professionally and personally
