St. Paul Rodeo anoints its new royal court

Three young women have been selected who will represent what is billed as the nation’s largest Fourth of July rodeo.

Following what is termed as a “pageant” that included personal interviews, speeches and demonstrations of horsemanship, Tigard resident Macy Montgomery has been selected as queen of the 2025 annual St. Paul Rodeo. Joining her will be princesses Anna Baumholtz of Dayton and Stayton resident Morgan Brownell.

“The royal court will make appearances at rodeos and other events across Oregon, and will serve as ambassadors for the storied St. Paul Rodeo throughout the year,” a release said. “They represent the rodeo and western industry for those attending the St. Paul Rodeo and beyond.”

Montgomery is a 2021 graduate of Mountainside High School and a student at Oregon State University, where she is seeking a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering management. She has volunteered at the rodeo for more than a decade and became a member of the rodeo association in 2019. She was a princess on the rodeo court in 2022 and credits the annual rite with “building her into the person she is today,” the release said.

Baumholtz, who graduated from Dayton High School in June, recently began her undergraduate studies at Linfield University, where she is on a pre-veterinary medicine track with hopes to advancing to OSU’s lauded veterinary medicine school for an advanced degree. Baumholtz was a member of her high school’s equestrian team, FFA and was a member of the National Honor Society.

“As a young lady, she admired the royal court and hopes to be an inspiring figure to young girls,” the release said.

Brownell graduated from Stayton High School in June and recently began attending Linn-Benton Community College, with plans to transfer to OSU to seek a degree in animal science, the release said.

In high school, Brownell was a member of her school’s equestrian team and FFA. A member of 2020-21 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon, 2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon and a rodeo athlete herself, she is among the fourth generation of her family to be associated with the St. Paul Rodeo.