Each year at Cave Creek Rodeo Days, the spotlight isn’t just on the arena — it’s on the young women crowned to carry the rodeo spirit beyond it.
Serving as ambassadors of Western heritage, the royalty represent Arizona with confidence, horsemanship and heart, traveling the Southwest, supporting community causes and sharing their love of rodeo wherever they go. Their reign lasts one year, beginning and ending with coronation, as a new generation steps into boots, buckle and crown.
This year’s Jr. Teen Queen is Brooke Jones, a 12-year-old second-generation cowgirl from Snowflake. Braelyn Strait earned the Teen Queen title. The 15-year-old freshman has grown up in the rodeo and Western community and now competes in barrel racing and pole bending.
Jaelee Mernaugh holds the 2026 Cave Creek Rodeo Days Queen title. At age 19 she’s a licensed cosmetologist pursuing a business degree at Chandler-Gilbert Community College with hopes of opening her own salon one day. Deeply involved in the rodeo community, she performs with the Copper State Renegades drill team and competes in gymkhanas while staying active in church and volunteer work.
She sat down with us to share what the Rodeo Queen title means to her.
Q: When did you first get involved in the rodeo world?
A: I started riding when I was 3-years-old. I absolutely fell in love with horses and as I got older I started competing more and had my first Rodeo Queen title in 2016. My mom was also a past rodeo queen and has built me up and showed me the ropes. Competing since 2016, this is the ninth title I have held.
Q: What goes into being crowned as the Cave Creek Rodeo Days Queen?
A: The pageant takes place in one day and there’s a lot of different steps that go into it. Most rodeos start with their horsemanship. Competitors have to do a pattern on their horse and show that they can carry a sponsor flag. There’s also hot laps where we run around the arena and wave. There’s also a horsemanship interview which covers anything from facts about horses to facts about rodeos.
For the Cave Creek Rodeo Days Queen title there’s also a written test, a personal interview with the judges, introduction speeches and more.
Q: What does this title mean to you personally?
A: It’s meaningful to me because I love rodeo queening and rodeos. I have a passion to carry on the Western heritage while being a role model and a light in the rodeo world. Being the Cave Creek Rodeo Days Queen is just another step in the right direction. Everybody within the rodeo world is like family.
When I was little, I loved having the older girls to look up to. I want to give that back to the other girls and show them that their dreams can come true. I’m really excited to show that I can represent Cave Creek in the best way possible.
Q: What advice do you have for young girls who want to pursue rodeo or one day wear the crown themselves?
A: If this is their dream and they want to pursue it, I would tell them to just go for it. Put everything you have into it, and you’ll get so much back from the community. There’s been so many people that have helped me along the way and still support me today. It’s a family and there’s always someone to back you up.
Q: For someone who’s never been to a rodeo, how would you describe the experience?
A: The Cave Creek Rodeo Days is made for families to come together. Once you’ve seen the rodeo, you really get to feel the emotion of all the competitors. It’s kind of like you’re sitting in there with them.
For example, when the barrel racers come in, the crowd goes crazy. It’s a big entertainment event in which the fans not only get to watch, but get to feel the emotions and ups and downs of the competitors.
It’s similar to going to watch your favorite sports team and cheering for them, but here you’re cheering for everyone.
For more information about Cave Creek Rodeo Days visit cavecreekrodeo.com.