Miss Rodeo Plainville, Emily Zillinger, realizes it is not the destination but the journey that is truly rewarding. As an official spokesperson for rodeo and the Plainville Saddle Club she looks forward to meeting as many people as possible during her reign and sharing with them the multitude of opportunities available inside and outside the arena. Emily hopes to inspire other young women to vie for the crown. Even though only a few can walk away with a title, Emily reminds you that you are never a loser if you don’t lose the lesson.

Emily’s commitment to learning as much as she can from her past experiences helps her be successful with each new endeavor. A former FFA member she held the offices of Secretary and then Vice President. In 2002, Emily was the World Nation Chairman for the Kansas Association for Youth. A 4-H member for 13 years, she served as Vice President, County Council Representative and Secretary. Emily is a graduate of Northern Valley High School where she was a member of the student council serving two years as secretary. She also participated in forensics, scholars bowl, math relay and business relay. An avid horsewoman, Emily is a member of the American Paint Horse Association, American Pinto Horse Association and past member of the Kansas Western Horseman Association.

Emily is the 19-year-old daughter of Doug and Jana Zillinger of Logan. Branding Iron II, Phillips County Farm Bureau, Tri-County Insurance Agency, Patton and Patton Dentistry, Farmers National Bank, and Logan Hardware sponsored Emily’s run for the crown. Besides rodeo and competitive horseback riding, Emily enjoys the fine arts, painting, drawing, reading and listening to music. Emily’s future goals are to attend Fort Hays State University to get her bachelor’s and possibly her master’s in Agri-business.