News Photos Anna Smith.
Pictures of 2025 Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Queen contestants Mila Stuut during the Fashion Show on Saturday.
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The 2025 Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Queen Competition has come to a close, and for this year’s competitors, all that remains is to wait to begin their reign.
With two participants in this year’s competition, both young women, Mila Stuut and Joleigh Wood will be taking on a title and a year as MHES Rodeo Royalty.
The feelings regarding competition week being over are mixed, says Wood, as while they are relieved to have successfully completed the various events that make up competition week, it does mean that their time alongside current MHES Queen and Princess Charlie Christie and Charlatan Sandford is coming to a close.
“Charlie and Charlatan have made it just an absolutely amazing experience. They have really helped us through any challenges that we’ve experienced,” said Stuut. “They’ve helped us come out of our comfort zones and be more confident with everything royalty does, and they’ve really done a great job of showing us the ropes and keeping us on our toes.”
The competition was not without some small hiccups, says Wood, but the pair felt that they were able to push through and present their best possible selves, both individually and as a budding pair in true future royalty fashion.
Both say they have come a long way since making the decision to run this year, feeling they have grown as people, and they are grateful for the chance to become close in the days leading up to their crowning.
“I was told during boot camp, competition either makes or breaks you, and I feel it better both of us, for sure. Mila and I have gotten a lot closer during this competition week, and it kind of just set us on the right path,” said Wood.
The pair were asked to demonstrate their horsemanship skills, as well as public speaking and modelling, though their personal highlights come not for the public-facing events, but from various appearances throughout town, where they were being judged on their personality.
For Stuut, her highlight was visiting the police station and getting a better look at the city, where Wood said she will never forget their time attending the Play School, which she says truly demonstrated the impact that Rodeo Royalty can have on the youth.
The pair are looking forward to relaxing for a new days before attending more events with the current royalty, all leading up to when they will don the crown and sash themselves and begin what they already realize will be a whirlwind of a year.
“During the girls’ speech on Friday, when they were doing their goodbyes, it just made me realize how fast this year can go by,” said Wood. “And I know I looked over and Mila was kind of tearing up, and I was kind of tearing up just thinking of the fact that that’s going to be us next year. We can make that large of an impact on people.”
Stuut said that they already have big plans for their reign and what they want to accomplish with their year representing Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede and the Western way of life, and they are thrilled to be able to take it on together.
“I think that we’ll work together as a fantastic team for the rest of the year,” said Stuut. “We’ve been able to form a pretty special bond already.”
Crowning will take place in the dirt during the intermission of the Summer Pro Rodeo on July 25, and will be viewable for all those with a rodeo ticket for the evening.
