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Miss Gem State Stampede

2024 Miss Gem State Stampede

Ainsley Goughnour, is the 20 year old daughter of Matt and Cori Goughnour of Naples, Idaho and sister to Alexis who has encouraged her to chase her dreams. Ainsley is currently a Junior attending the University of Idaho studying Agriculture Education with a minor in Agricultural Sciences Communications and Leadership. Growing up in an agriculture community has played a huge role in her life and shown Ainsley the importance of community and the impact you can have on people, and she can’t wait to follow her passion and continue to educate herself in agriculture and share that passion with others.

While attending university she has found herself active in different clubs and programs on campus including Block and Bridle, CFFA, and Rodeo as well as G.O.A.L.s (Global Orientation to Agricultural Learning). In high school she was active in volleyball, basketball, 4-H, FFA, DECA, Key Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was an officer with both her FFA Chapter and 4-H club.

When she’s not busy at school you can find her at the barn with her 9-year-old American Quarter Horse, “Perfect High Five” aka, Leo. Leo has been Ainsley’s partner in crime since 2020. They love doing everything together but some of their most recent adventures include working on breakaway roping and barrels. You can also find Ainsley behind her camera sharing her passion for agriculture and rodeo from a different lens.

Ainsley found herself competing for the title of Miss Gem State Stampede 2024 in September where she was awarded the winner of the categories of horsemanship, appearance, personality, knowledge, and speech. She is honored to represent the Gem State Stampede in 2024, a community like no other. She is looking forward to representing the traditions of the Gem State Stampede for the 38th anniversary, the North Idaho State Fair, agriculture, and the western way of life.

2024 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorship Tri-Fold

Sponsorship Opportunities
- Diamond ($500)
- Gold ($250)
- Silver ($150)
- Bronze ($100)

Thank you to our 2024 program sponsors!

Queen Sponsor

23 MGSS Sponsor

Our Past Queens

2023 Miss Gem State Stampede

Hayven Chase, is the 19 year old daughter of Reed and Roxanne Chase of Athol, Idaho. Hayven is a student at the University of Idaho where she is pursuing a degree in animal and veterinary science. Although Hayven wasn’t born in Idaho, while her parents were in the Air Force, they chose to return to her mother’s native home of North Idaho. She has grown up in the local area attending the North Idaho State Fair and the Gem State Stampede every year. Her passion for horses has kept her very busy even training her five-year-old gelding, Legacy, from birth.

Over her reign, she made 72 appearances as MGSS and traveled around 4,444 miles from as far south as Twin Falls, Idaho and as far west as Redmond, Oregon.

2022 Miss Gem State Stampede

Brianna Hoekstra, is the 19-year-old daughter of Jonathan and Jennifer Hoesktra of Athol, Idaho. Brianna was born right here in Coeur D’Alene and has spent many years living in Idaho, but growing up her father was in the military so she got the opportunity to live in many places, even in Okinawa, Japan. She is happy to have finally settled back down in the place she truly calls home; she only wishes that there was less snow and ice so she could ride her horses all winter.

Brianna spent her year attending local PRCA Events representing the Gem State Stampede.

2020/2021 Miss Gem State Stampede

Ashley Bennett is the 18-year-old daughter of Greg and Tawnya Bennett. She lives in Hayden, Idaho, with her horses right outside her front door. She is currently attending North Idaho College, and is working towards a degree in medical billing and coding. Aside from that, she works at a local coffee shop, where she has the pleasure of meeting many new people from our community. On the rare occasion when Ashley is not spending time with her horses you will find her doing other things she enjoys like; swimming in the lake, playing volleyball, hiking, and helping others in any way possible. Ashley also devotes time as a volunteer for a local youth group as a small group leader.

She grew up and flourished in 4-H, once her dad convinced her that horses weren’t as scary as she thought they were. Her parents have always supported her with all the different horse activities she wanted to participate in.

2019 Miss Gem State Stampede

Maranda Montgomery spent her year as Miss Gem State Stampede 2019, promoting rodeo and making each community better. She earned quite a list of adoring fans that would drive across the country to attend rodeos she was attending. The Kindest cowgirl you will ever meet, she carried on the prestige of the title as she traveled to over 60 appearances.

2018 Miss Gem State Stampede

Alex Sheets followed her dream and became the 5th young lady to wear the crown as Miss Gem State Stampede 2018. Alex’s love for the Fair & Rodeo showed as she shared her passion with others. Her attendance to events across the Northwest brought her great adventures and friendships. Miss Alex did an excellent job during her reign.

2017 Miss Gem State Stampede

Taylor Hill represented the Gem State Stampede in 2017. She was focused on her job to promote our rodeo and the importance of agriculture by visiting many youth camps and clubs in our area. Her travels across the Northwest provided opportunities to attend almost 40 events. Taylor’s genuine personality had a profound impact upon everyone she encountered.

2016 Miss Gem State Stampede

Cassy Ripatti was crowned Miss North Idaho Fair & Rodeo her reign was unique that she also carried forward the rodeo name change becoming Miss Gem State Stampede later in the year. Also a representative of the North Idaho State Fair, Cassy made 40 appearances throughout the year all over the northwest.

Miss North Idaho Fair & Rodeo 2014-2015

Haley Jackson Miss North Idaho Fair & Rodeo 2014-2015. Miss Haley was crowned during the fair in 2014 and held the reign for a little over a year. She attended over 30 functions including rodeos, parades, luncheons, community events and represented the North Idaho Fair & Rodeo during the Miss Rodeo Idaho Pageant, winning horsemanship and congeniality.

Miss North Idaho Fair & Rodeo 2013-2014

Jessica Norlander, Miss North Idaho Fair & Rodeo 2013-2014; Miss Jessica was the first young lady to wear the crown. Jessica was crowned during the taping of Chicks N Chaps for the Queen Latifah show at fair in 2013 and made over 20 appearances, attending rodeos, parades, luncheons, and community events.