Emma Buttke
Miss Rodeo Fort Ransom Arena Association

What a better way to spend a 4^th of July celebration than at a small town rodeo?  Emma Buttke, the 19 year old daughter of Davis and Shirley Buttke (Fingal, ND), certainly made the most of her Independence Day weekend.  After years of hard work and determination, Emma became the 8^th Miss Rodeo Fort Ransom Arena Association at the 11^th annual Fort Ransom Arena Association Stampede held every 3^rd and 4^th of July in beautiful Ft. Ransom, North Dakota.

Emma, a 2006 graduate of Maple Valley High School (Tower City, ND), is currently working towards a degree in business management from Aaker’s College of Fargo, ND.  She is also pursuing a career that involves Canine and Equine Sports Massage Therapy, and hopes to bring an Equine Riding Therapy program to her area.  By volunteering at an Equine Riding Therapy program, Emma discovered the real and powerful healing abilities of horses.  She was so amazed at what she saw.  Emma has loved horses her whole life and is definitely going to make them her life’s work.

The Fort Ransom Arena Association began in 1995 and held their first 4^th of July weekend rodeo that year.  It has been a favorite of many through the years, and is a real family-orientated event.  There’s always something for everyone!  The first ever Fort Ransom Arena Assoc. Queen/Princess Pageant was held in 1999.  The Princess contest is open to girls ages 5-12, and the Queen contest is open to young ladies ages 13-19.