After traveling more than 21,000 miles in the past year or so, Lindy Ellis of Bismarck is ready for more.

Ellis, 21, is Miss Rodeo North Dakota.

She received the crown in October 2007 at Minot during the Badlands Circuit Finals.

Later this month, Ellis, along with 26 other young women, will vie for the title of Miss Rodeo America.

The Miss Rodeo America pageant is a weeklong competition for cowgirls ages 19-25 in Las Vegas, and runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 6.

The pageant precedes the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association year-end championship.

Ellis said the past year as Miss Rodeo North Dakota has been a whirlwind of excitement.

"It's been an absolute joy," Ellis said. "It's really been a life-changing experience."

Ellis said during the course of her reign, she's had the opportunity to travel all around the country promoting the sport of rodeo.

Going in, she said her image of a rodeo queen was "all about rodeo," but it turns out there is more to it than just that.

Ellis said she was kind of caught off guard as to what degree younger girls saw her as a role model.

She said she seized the opportunity to educate kids about rodeo and about North Dakota.

At Las Vegas, Ellis and the other contestants will be judged in the major categories of personality, appearance, horsemanship, knowledge and presentation.

In addition, they will demonstrate their skills in public speaking, current events, knowledge of rodeo and general equine science, and overall professionalism, among others.

Ellis said she's had a lot of help along the way, particularly from her mother, Karen Hagen, and neighbors Louise Gabbs and Terri Azure, who helped sew her vests, dresses and other clothing.

As far as the pageant itself, Ellis said her goal would be to finish in the top 10. "Top five would be better yet, but right now I'm just ready to go out and have fun," she said.

Regardless of the outcome, Ellis said her long-term goal is to return to college and finish her degree in business management and marketing with a minor in vocal performance.

Coronation of Miss Rodeo America will be Dec. 6.

If selected, Ellis would be the third North Dakotan to wear the crown.

Brenda Lee (Bonogofsky) Pickett won it in 1963 and Ashley Andrews in 2007.

(Reach reporter Brian Gehring 250-8254 or brian.gehring@bismarcktribune.com.)