Abbey Harty of Edam is seen at the Canadian Finals Rodeo at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta., held Oct. 1 to 4, where she was crowned Miss Rodeo Canada 2026. The 22-year-old, who previously held the title of Miss Rodeo Agribition 2025, became the first Agribition representative and only the third woman from Saskatchewan to win the national title since the program began in 1955. (Abbey Harty/ Facebook)

By Kenneth Cheung

LOCAL TALENT

‘A dream come true’: Edam’s Abbey Harty makes history as Miss Rodeo Canada 2026

Oct 8, 2025 | 12:31 PM

When Abbey Harty first climbed into a saddle at age five, she couldn’t have imagined it would one day carry her all the way to a national crown.

“I started in 4-H and my passion for rodeo continued to grow and turn into, I guess, a dream come true,” she said.

The 22-year-old from Edam was named Miss Rodeo Canada 2026 during the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta., held Oct. 1 to 4 — a win that made her the third woman from Saskatchewan and the first Miss Rodeo Agribition ever to earn the national title since the program began in 1955.

Unlike many competitors, Harty didn’t inherit the sport from her family — she built her way into it. A first-generation cowgirl, she says rodeo has always felt like destiny.

“The passion for rodeo… it was in my blood when I was born.”

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The moment Abbey Harty finds out she is named Miss Rodeo Canada 2026. (Abbey Harty/Facebook)

Her path to the crown was marked by both setbacks and determination.

After first winning the 2024 North Battleford Kinsmen Rodeo Princess title, Harty says missing out on the queen’s title pushed her to improve. The following year, she captured the Miss Rodeo Agribition 2025 title. It was a step that ultimately led her to the Miss Rodeo Canada honour.

“It had always been my dream to be a professional ladies barrel racer,” she said. “But I knew that it wasn’t in the cards for me [then]. So to be successful in rodeo, this was the path that I needed to take.”

Miss Rodeo Canada, she explained, is more than a beauty pageant. Contestants are tested on horsemanship, equine knowledge, public speaking and personality — the full breadth of what it means to represent the sport.

“We are the first face of Canadian Professional Rodeo,” she said. “Also known as the First Lady of Canadian Professional Rodeo.”

Abbey Harty of Edam poses at her home with her trophy belt buckles and crowns from different competitions, including her titles as Miss Rodeo Agribition 2025 and Miss Rodeo Canada 2026. (Abbey Harty/Facebook)

For Harty, the title carries a deep sense of purpose. She hopes to use it to encourage others to embrace the sport and its values.

“I just want to be able to be that inspiration and that role model to the youth,” she said. “We need youth to be interested in our sport and in our way of life.”

The experience, she adds, has reshaped her. Over the past year she’s learned confidence, grace, resilience and the meaning of hard work.

“To look back just even a year ago today, I was holding no title,” she said. “To say that there is personal growth is an understatement. I have watched myself completely change and grow into the woman that I am.”

Proudly carrying Saskatchewan’s banner into the national arena, Harty says she’s grounded by her hometown roots.

“I carried that with me all throughout the Miss Rodeo Canada competition,” she said. “I was just very proud to be from Saskatchewan and very proud to be from my hometown of Edam.”

A picture of Abbey Harty at a previous event. (missrodeoagribition/Instagram)

Her reign begins officially on January 1, 2026, when she’ll travel across North America to promote Canadian rodeo culture. Before she hits the road, Harty says she’s grateful for the people who helped her get there, especially her parents.

“I just really want to make sure that they’re thanked and that they are recognized as well because they have been there supporting me since day one in this journey,” she said. “I would not be here without them.”

For now, she’s still taking in what it means to have reached her lifelong dream.

“If you have a dream, don’t be afraid to try it,” she said. “You never know what is going to come to you and what is going to turn into greatness in your life.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com