“When I was dedicated as a baby, they said I would flow through the lives of people like the Jordan River,” said Jordan Tierney, 2020 Miss Rodeo America. “I remember being at work one day and having this feeling that I was made to do more than that job.” Her sister, Amy, encouraged her to run for Miss Rodeo South Dakota and now the 25-year-old from Oral, South Dakota, has an opportunity to live a bigger life and have a positive impact on those around her. “I want to leave people feeling better after having talked to me.”
Oral, South Dakota, has a population of 60 and Jordan grew up on a ranch, south of town, riding with her father, Paul Tierney. They raised AQHA horses and cattle. “I just this past year bought my own set of cows and now I’m fully invested.” The youngest of four, Jordan considers herself to be the caboose in the family. “I spent a lot of time with my dad, when he went out to the pasture, I went with him. I was on the stud, Cash, and I remember riding double with him. We had a pony, Teddy, I remember riding him while my dad practiced.” Jordan sees her father as an incredible hard working man. “He works sun up to sun down and is always willing to help anyone that comes along. He gives roping lessons and wants to see people succeed – it all came from his desire to be a rodeo cowboy and that’s taken him far.” Paul qualified for the NFR qualifier from 1977-1986, only missing one year. He was the World All Around Champion in 1980 and Tie Down Champion in 1979.
Her mom, Robin, was the 1985 Miss Rodeo South Dakota and second runner up to Miss Rodeo America. “She sacrificed so much for our family,” said Jordan. “When I was a junior in high school, my mom switched careers – she had been a dental hygienist for 25 years and quit that to start her own oil field service company.” That job required Robin to be away from home for two weeks at a time while she built it up. “She always made my important volleyball and basketball games as well as my rodeos.” That leap of faith has allowed her the flexibility and freedom to continue her love of raising good horses and riding. “She’s an incredible horsewoman.”
Jordan has two older brothers, Jess and Paul David, as well as an older sister, Amy. “I’ve followed in her footsteps my entire life, from sports to school leadership. She and my brothers have been huge encouragers to me in my dream to become Miss Rodeo America.”
Jordan started competing in rodeo in elementary school, competing in 4-H rodeo junior division. She eventually joined the National Little Britches and the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association. “I had a horse accident when I was five on the ranch. I was going out to get cows with my dad and my horse took off with me.” Jordan fell underneath the horse and he jumped over her. “I refused to get on a horse for three years. I started riding again when I was 8 and was very fearful – I didn’t want to go fast. My parents were very persistent and I eventually got faster.”
Robin remembers those three years. “We wanted her to go, but really a neighbor girl, Megan Harkless, is the one who got her going again. She would come over and ride and she would ask Jordan to start coming out with her and pretty soon she was walking the horse around the arena while they talked. She was so patient and understanding.”
After that, the best part was taking her to her first 4-H rodeo. “She walked the whole pattern and we were so thankful – and it was such a good feeling,” said Robin. “Here’s what we always knew about Jordan – her personality and the way she was – a slow starter and a strong finisher. She finished amazing and we have been so proud of her determination and diligence to perfect her craft.”
When Jordan got back into rodeo, she didn’t win a lot, but by the time she hit middle school she had a very competitive mare that she ran barrels on (her name was Princess and she was also her brother Paul’s main heel horse). “I won the Junior girls state 4-H championship in goat tying in 2008,” she said. “I do think winning is important because I am a very competitive person so I didn’t like not winning in the crucial times that could’ve resulted in going to nationals, but when you start finding your identity in worldly successes that can be detrimental. I want to be an inspiration for rodeo and ranch girls to try rodeo queening as an addition to all that they do.”
Her rodeo abilities earned her a scholarship to Chadron State College where she competed in barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying. She earned a degree in business administration and plans to continue her education after her reign as Miss Rodeo America. “I would like to get the masters online program and start working in a career path in marketing and the agriculture realm.”
For now, she is watching the calendar fill up with appearances across the country. “I’ve always been a people person – when I went with my dad, he would give us $5 and tell us to meet him back at the trailer. I found friends and that’s how it all started. This past year as Miss Rodeo South Dakota, I was telling people that I thought I was outgoing; I got out of my comfort zone – figuring out how to bring up conversation.” Her secret is asking people about themselves. “I like learning more about people and their history.” Her platform is Rodeo, Agriculture and building relationships with fans and new comers that foster understanding for the western way of life. She uses part of a Bible verse on her autograph sheets. Psalm 139:14. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
“I shorten it and say you are fearfully and wonderfully made – that’s a verse I’ve carried with me,” explains Jordan. “I am made in His image and I should be proud of that. I want to make people know that I care and they are worth caring about. I love where I’m at now – I’m having a great time and after this year, I will get back to rodeoing, breakaway roping and team roping.”
“My why is to help build people up the same way that I was built up during my early adolescent years when I had a lack of self confidence. My parents really gave me a strong foundation to stand on with all the good information they gave me to overcome my mountains in life.”
Jordan hopes that as she represents rodeo and meets thousands of people this coming year that they will see her genuine authenticity for the sport of rodeo and the western lifestyle. “It’s what I was raised in and I’m proud to represent it. I hope they remember me for that genuine feel.”
