Houston, Texas – For Miss Rodeo Texas 2025, Reanna Santos, rodeo season is a year-long commitment that keeps her on the road nearly every weekend. Her reign runs from June to June, and this March is especially busy as she rides at both the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Rodeo Austin.
At the Houston Rodeo, she’ll be in the arena all 20 nights, riding in the Grand Entry with the honor of carrying the Lone Star State flag as the procession leads in. Between performances, fans can find her in the Fan Zone, signing autographs and connecting with rodeo-goers and young visitors.
This appearance is particularly meaningful. She grew up in Angleton, attending the Houston Rodeo with her family every year, showing horses, and competing in 4‑H and FFA. Now, returning as Miss Rodeo Texas, Santos sees it as a chance to give back. She’s a volunteer, a mentor to kids, and a visible ambassador for the sport she loves.
“To a little girl, I would tell them to just don’t be afraid to start, because starting is the hardest part, and to go in with an open mindset so you can be coachable and just be the best rider and the best human that you can because I truly believe that good horsemanship helps with ‘human-ship’ as well,” Santos said.
Her horsemanship is the product of a lifetime in the saddle. She’s been riding “since I can remember,” Santos says, and competed on the Texas A&M equestrian team in college. There, she practiced three days a week, riding a different horse each time and traveling to head‑to‑head competitions across the country. That experience prepared her well for the rodeo queen life, where she hops on whatever horse is provided at each event.
Beyond the arena, Santos is a scholar. A proud Aggie from a family of Aggies, she earned her Master of Science in Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management from Texas A&M. Much of her research took place on working cattle ranches in South Texas, and she’s passionate about the connection between healthy rangelands, cattle grazing, and the future of rodeo and the beef industry.
“I know like the scientific and common names of a bunch of like the grasses and vegetation here. And I actually have an herbarium collection where I collect the specimens and press them and it’s like a little plant museum,” Santos admitted.
Looking ahead, Reanna hopes to return to the field, working directly with ranchers to implement sustainable land management practices.
“I love me a good steak and however I can help our beef industry, I’m there for it,” Reanna laughed.
Through it all, her love for beef, plants, horses—and the people around them—has never faded. Reanna credits her family’s support and her refusal to “grow out of the horse girl phase” for getting her this far; but it’s clear to see that she’s special, and adds that certain magic to Houston Rodeo that can only be experienced during this special time of year.