• Gracie Jackson to compete in Idaho state competition.

For 16-year-old Gracie Jackson, carrying out the American Flag at the start of a rodeo is her favorite moment — and a tender memory. When she was just 13, she carried Old Glory for “Ride for Clyde,” a charitable rodeo held in Lincoln County to raise funds for a family after a car accident took the life of a young loved one.

“It was super emotional to carry the flag in that moment of sadness,” Jackson said, recalling riding her bay gelding “Whiz” into the arena. “To be in that moment with the flag in that situation — the National Anthem and the comfort of our freedoms. That’s the most significant rodeo I’ve carried [the flag] at. It was an emotional day.”

Such memories tug at the heart of this former rodeo princess. And now as the reigning Idaho District 8 High School Rodeo Queen, Jackson, the daughter of Andy and Bonnie Jackson of Etna, will hopefully carry her beloved American flag in more roundups to come.

The sophomore from Star Valley High School was named District 8 Queen on April 6 by the Idaho High School Rodeo Association (which includes Star Valley). She will compete in June at the IHSRA State Queen Competition in Pocatello, Idaho, for a chance to go on to the National High School Rodeo Finals Queen Contest in July in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

“This opportunity was really special,” Jackson told SVI Media recently during a telephone interview. “I’ve held a lot of other titles, but not one was as significant as this. It’s super special. I love to represent district 8 at state and hopefully take home the IHSRA title.”

The competition is fierce with contestants from throughout the region, Jackson conceded. “There are a lot of girls who do [rodeo competitions] Some of them are my friends, and they’re incredible. I’ll do my best.”

Even if she doesn’t win the state title, Jackson hopes to qualify for state rodeo competitions in one of her many rodeo events — which include breakaway roping, barrel racing and pole bending. Her current favorite mount is a 5-year-old bay gelding, SJQC Colonel Blanton — Colonel for short.

Jackson has been competing in rodeo queen contests since she was 12 years old. She is a member of the Wyoming Club in District 8 of the Idaho High School Rodeo Association (IHSRA). In the past, she was the 2020 junior princess and 2021 princess for the Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo, princess for the 2022 Rexburg Whoopee Days Rodeo, and first attendant in the 2023 Idaho District 7 High School Rodeo.

“I’ve always been involved with horses,” Jackson recalled. “My love for horses grew up in 4-H.”

That love grew as she competed in 4-H rodeo events. And the young woman liked the values she was learning. “In IHSRA, one of their mottos is to promote family bonding and to engage others in the way of rodeo and sportsmanship. It means a lot to me. Rodeo is family.”

And she has a message for other young women who are interested in the rodeo and rodeo queen contests. “I recommend rodeo queen to any little girls who are thinking about it. It’s a huge commitment, but it’s super fun.”

Jackson, who hopes to be a positive example to those younger rodeo princesses, emphasized her gratitude to her club and business sponsors throughout Star Valley.