McKinna Jackson is a proud 23-year-old native Nevadan with a deep love for her home state. Raised in Gardnerville, Nevada, McKinna graduated from Douglas High School and quickly set her sights on a future that would combine her passion for horses with a strong work ethic. After high school, McKinna pursued a certificate from Texas Horseshoeing School in Scurry, Texas, where she refined her skills as a farrier. However, after gaining experience, McKinna realized that home truly meant Nevada, and she returned to Gardnerville, where she could be closer to the heart of her Western roots.
At just 19, McKinna, alongside her mother and biggest supporter, Kim, took a bold step and opened the Mad Dog Café, a new business in their hometown. The café became an extension of McKinna’s dedication to her community, providing a gathering place where locals and visitors alike could experience her love for both food and Western culture.
McKinna’s commitment to her community doesn’t end with her business ventures. She is an active member of the Carson Valley Roping Club, where she serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors. Through this role, McKinna is able to foster her passion for team roping and support other cowboys and cowgirls in their rodeo pursuits. Her involvement with the club also allows her to nurture and encourage youth participation in Western sports, ensuring the future of the sport and its values.
When McKinna isn’t in the saddle or managing her business, she enjoys volunteering her time to causes close to her heart. She has been an invaluable member of her local Fire Department, contributing her energy to keeping her community safe. Additionally, McKinna is an active volunteer with Between Horses and Humans, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth develop life skills through horsemanship. Her work with the organization allows her to give back to the next generation, passing on her knowledge of horses and teaching young people the values of responsibility, confidence, and hard work.
Before being crowned Miss Reno Rodeo 2025, McKinna had the honor of being a six-year member of the prestigious Reno Rodeo Flag Team. During her time with the team, she was selected to carry the American Flag for all ten nights of the 2021 Reno Rodeo, a role she considers one of the greatest honors of her life. This experience not only deepened her love for rodeo but also connected her to the rich history and traditions of the sport that are such an integral part of the fabric of her community.
As Miss Reno Rodeo 2025, McKinna Jackson is proud to represent the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West.” Her passion for rodeo, agriculture, and the Western way of life is evident in everything she does. McKinna has been fortunate to experience firsthand the incredible family and support that the sport of rodeo offers, and she is eager to share that with the next generation of rodeo fans and participants.
Her journey to this title is a testament to her dedication to the sport, her community, and the values of hard work, integrity, and service. McKinna hopes to inspire others to appreciate the Western way of life, advocate for the sport of rodeo, and continue to nurture the incredible sense of community that defines the rodeo world. As Miss Reno Rodeo 2025, she is not only representing a rodeo, but also the heart and soul of the West, where tradition and passion come together in a celebration of everything rodeo stands for.
Through her role as Miss Reno Rodeo, McKinna looks forward to spending the next year advocating for youth involvement in the sport, supporting agriculture, and preserving the Western way of life that has shaped her and countless others.
