Lynchburg Cowgirl is Crowned Miss Rodeo Tennessee 2022

Valerie Faith Preston, 26, of Tullahoma, TN, does know Jack and much more.

She was recently crowned Miss Rodeo Tennessee 2022 at the Mid-South Rodeo Queen Pageant and its event partner Rodeo of the Mid-South, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022.

As the daughter of Bobby and Tonya Preston of Lynchburg, TN, Valerie grew up in the shadow of the world-famous Jack Daniels Distillery, which employs most of Moore County in south central Tennessee.

Today, she is a third-generation employee at the Jack Daniels, working as a distillery microbiologist, overseeing the fermentation process critical to the popular American spiritfor the past five years.

Valerie obtained her Associates Degree from Motlow State University in Tullahoma, TN, Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness in 2018, and earned her Master’s degree in Fermentation Sciences from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN, in 2020.

Her entire educational career was funded by a variety of scholarship awards, including from Brown Forman, Moore County Horseman’s Association, and Tennessee Farmer’s Cooperative. She was recognized consistently on the Dean’s List for academic achievement.

She was inspired to love horses by observing her mother and grandfather ride. At the age of five, Valerie received her first pony and began riding regularly.

Valerie has ridden multiple breeds and styles, ranging from spotted saddle horses and Tennessee Walking Horses to barrel racing, pole bending and team roping, as a header.

In her youth, she was active in her local 4-H chapter, the Lincoln County Horseman’s Association and the Moore County Horseman’s Association.

Valerie and her horse Boomer won the Speed High Point Championship 2016-2018 in the Lincoln County Horseman’s Association, competing in barrel racing, pole bending and the open arena speed race. She also won Reserve Champion Speed High Point Award on her second horse TK.

Today, she is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association with an interest in buying and selling project horses.

            Valerie is spending 2022 representing the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association within Tennessee and beyond. She will compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America 2023 this December 2022 in Las Vegas.

            Follow Valerie’s exciting journey on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.

            For more information about the Miss Rodeo Tennessee Association, email missrodeoTN@gmail.com.