Emma Brungardt, the winner of the Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas 2023 competition, has sadly died following a tragic accident near Colby in Thomas County KS. She was 19.
Brungardt’s death occurred around 9:45 p.m. Friday when a Ford F250 Pickup she was traveling in on County Road 21 left the roadway and struck a tree row.
The 19-year-old Brungardt was the only fatality of the crash. The driver of the pickup truck survived, as did four other passengers who were all taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Emma, who was studying equine management and production at the Colby Community College, was with four other members of the college’s rodeo team when the accident occurred.
Miss Rodeo Kansas pageant paid tribute to Brungardt.
“The Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Emma Brungardt, our beautiful Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas 2023,” a statement from the pageant said.
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The statement noted that Emma was a horsewoman extraordinaire and was a true rodeo queen.
“We will miss her contagious smile and one in a million personality. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers as they navigate through this unimaginable loss,” the statement concluded.
A fellow rodeo star left another touching tribute to Emma, praising her as one of the most genuine and pure souls the world has ever seen.
Miss Rode K-State continued: “I’m eternally grateful to have had a friend in this inspiring cowgirl. She impacted so many people through her travels, her love for horses, her passion for the rodeo industry, and her unmatchable euphoric personality and will be deeply missed by all.”
