2022-23 Lewiston Roundup Royalty
2022-23 Queen - Lexi Way
The 2023 Lewiston Roundup Queen is Lexi Way. She is the 20 year old daughter of Cheryl and Mark Way. Lexi attended high school in Nampa, Idaho and is currently attending the University of Idaho for her undergraduate in Pre-Veterinary Science, and plans to continue her graduate program at Washington State University for Equine Veterinary Medicine.
Some outstanding achievements include a recipient for the 2022 University of Idaho Dean's List, recipient finalist for the Ms. Stars & Stripes scholarship, past vice president & president of the Ehcapa Bareback Riders Youth Board, alto saxophone, and bullet team rider for the Ehcapa Bareback Riders.
As a young girl, and year after year, Lexi always looked forward to attending the Lewiston Roundup; sitting on the sidewalk of main street, waving and smiling at the rodeo royalty as they passed by her in the parade and then in excitement when they would buzz by her in the arena during the rodeo. At the age of 4 this ignited her dreams and lit a fire in her that someday, she would ride down in that arena, in that dirt, and be a cowgirl just like them. Lexi began riding at the age of 6, training to run barrels, after asking her mom and for two straight years, day after day, for a horse. At the age of 9, for her birthday, the dream of every girl happened and she got her very own horse. This is the very same that you will get to see Lexi riding this year, a Palomino Quarter Horse by the name of Pally.
Lexi has used Pally in 4-H, FFA and for the last 10 years has been on a youth equestrian drill team, located in Nampa, known as the Ehcapa Bareback Riders. Lexi credits this club and family organization for being what shaped her into the horsewoman she is today. While riding for the Ehcapa Bareback Riders, she learned the ultimate bond between horse and rider in which she performed with her team for PRCA rodeos all over the United States riding bareback and bridleless doing several drill maneuvers, riding at liberty and even soaring over jumps. It is this bond that Lexi has with Pally that has given her the confidence to merge her childhood dreams with her experience to now be able to mentor boys and girls; to show them that with grit comes glory. If you set a goal or have a dream and work hard towards it, nobody can ever hold you back! Life is too short to be hindered by the what-ifs.
Lexi would like to thank everyone who has helped her along this journey to become a Queen of the Lewiston Roundup because surely she wouldn't be here without them. She would also like to give a special thank you to all of the Lewiston Roundup Association for making this year possible, Director Jamie Canning, and Royalty Chaperone Athena Ells for all of their dedication to us. Lexi is thrilled to be representing the Lewiston Roundup this year with Princess Emily.
2022-23 Princess - Emily Ecklund
The 2023 Lewiston Roundup Princess is Emily Ecklund. She is the daughter of Jim and Michelle Ecklund. Emily attended and graduated from high school in Troy, Idaho and is currently attending flight school. Her goal is to become a pilot while continuing her journey of training and competing within the equine field.
Some outstanding achievements include, in 4-H during middle school years she earned 9 state qualifications from performance, reining, jumping, and gaming (speed events much like rodeo). As well as 4-H during middle school, Emily competed in Junior Rodeo placing top 5 in the region in multiple events on multiple occasions. When in high school Emily joined the District 3 High School Rodeo team, while she used her time in the association to season young or unfinished horses, she still had some amazing experiences and even made a state qualification. Aside from Rodeo achievements, Emily has competed in copious amounts of FFA events such as Agricultural Sales which she won her way to state with all 4 years, Ag Mechanics, Horse Evaluation, Meat Evaluation, Livestock Judging, etc.
While Emily began riding at a young age, she has been training horses and has never been afraid to hop on a problem horse or break a bucking colt. Through the many learning experiences and chances to understand horses on a deeper level, she has grown to not only be the horse person that she is today, but also the strong woman. Over time, Emily chose to grow her brand of Mirrored E Livestock to train from start to finish horses with some of the best bloodlines in the western horse world. In 2022 for her senior project, Emily decided to push her limits and adopt an untouched Mustang from the BLM. Since her journey with Remington began, there have been happy tears and moments of defeat and frustration, all that this job entails, these are the moments that build a person. Every horse that Emily owns, has made every piece what they are today. You may even see a few throughout the year.
Aside from the horse training aspect of Emily, she has competed in years of rodeo events. From small local barrel races or roping jackpots to competing in nationwide competition she knows rodeo back to front. She began her journey in 4-H running poles and barrels every chance she got but it has become such a large part of her life. From the years of 4-H and High School Rodeo, she has gained the rodeo knowledge to be the face of a large professional rodeo today, the Lewiston Roundup. As of now, Emily still competes in team and breakaway roping, barrel racing, and pole bending as well as cutting, sorting, and penning. As you compete in both the LC Valley and outside, keep an eye out for Princess Emily at your rodeo events on one of her homegrown horses.
Princess Emily would like to give a thank you to her family and friends for their constant support. She would also like to thank the Lewiston Roundup Association for making this opportunity possible as well as Director Jamie Canning and Chaperone Athena Ells for their help and guidance.
Sweethearts - Past Royalty
Queen DOROTHY BROCK
Princess MAYBELLE OLIVER
Princess MARION STRUSHON
Princess GWEN CHURCH
Princess PEARL STEWART