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PHILLIPSBURG, Kan. — The tradition of selecting an ambassador for Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo continues this year as two accomplished young women will compete for the 2026 Phillipsburg Rodeo Queen title on Wednesday, July 29. The winner will represent Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo throughout the coming year, promoting western heritage, agriculture, and one of the state's premier PRCA rodeos.
The 2026 contestants are Larryn Braun of Victoria, Kansas, and Sophia Schemper of Holdrege, Nebraska. Both bring years of horsemanship experience, strong academic records, and a passion for the western lifestyle.
Larryn Braun
Sixteen-year-old Larryn Braun is the daughter of Dave and Kori Braun of Victoria. A junior at Victoria High School, Braun plans to attend Fort Hays State University after graduation to study Animal Science with an emphasis in agricultural education before becoming an agriculture teacher.
Braun has been riding horses for 14 years and will compete aboard her 12-year-old buckskin Quarter Horse, Diamond Sugar Seeker, known as "Diamond." She is active in the National Barrel Horse Association, the Kansas Walking Horse Association's Walker Wranglers, and has earned previous rodeo royalty titles as the 2022 Junior Miss Plainville Rodeo and the 2024 Junior Miss Ellis County Rodeo.
At Victoria High School, Braun stays busy participating in volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, track, FFA, FCCLA, SADD, V-Club, and serves as yearbook editor. She also works on her family's ranch, babysits for local families, and previously worked at The Buckle in Hays during the holiday season.
Braun says she hopes to serve as a positive role model while promoting the traditions of rodeo.
"Rodeo has always been a big part of my life," Braun wrote in her application. "Being Rodeo Queen would give me the opportunity to represent a rodeo that has a rich history while sharing my passion for the western way of life. More than anything, I want to serve as a positive ambassador for rodeo, agriculture, and the state of Kansas."
Sophia Schemper
Seventeen-year-old Sophia Schemper is the daughter of Jared and Dawn Schemper of Holdrege, Nebraska. She will be a senior at Loomis High School this fall and plans to pursue a degree in elementary education after graduation.
Schemper has spent 15 years riding horses and will compete aboard her 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare, Rogue Success, known as "Lola." She is an active member of the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association and has accumulated an impressive list of rodeo royalty titles, including Frontier County Rodeo Junior Queen, Southwest Rodeo Princess, Furnas County Rodeo Princess, Elwood Rodeo Junior Queen, Elwood Rodeo Queen, and the 2025 Red Willow Rodeo Queen.
Beyond rodeo, Schemper excels in academics and athletics. She is a member of the National Honor Society, FFA, 4-H, speech, church youth group, and has earned varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and track. She is a multi-time state qualifier in pole vault, goat tying, and pole bending, has served as an FFA officer, and has received numerous all-conference and all-state athletic honors.
She also works in the technology department at Alma Public Schools helping set up computers and cleans local businesses on weekends.
Schemper says her goal is to promote the western lifestyle while representing the Phillipsburg community.
"I want to be the Phillipsburg Rodeo Queen because I love the sport of rodeo, the western way of life, and the sense of community that Kansas' Biggest Rodeo represents," she wrote. "This title is about much more than wearing a crown—it's about advocating for a rodeo with a rich tradition and welcoming hometown atmosphere."
Contest Details
The Phillipsburg Rodeo Queen Contest begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, with contestants competing in modeling, public speaking, interviews, a written test, photogenic judging, and horsemanship. The new queen will be crowned prior to the opening performance of Kansas' Biggest Rodeo on Thursday, July 30.
The 2026 Phillipsburg Rodeo Queen will spend the next year serving as the official ambassador for Kansas' Biggest Rodeo, making appearances at rodeos, parades, schools, community events, and representing one of Kansas' longest-standing western traditions.
