Nina Hyvonen, Secretary of Miss Rodeo Alaska, Inc., is the mother of former Miss Rodeo Alaska, Kelsy Jo Konkright. She is also a racehorse exercise rider and pony person, equestrian consultant, trainer, and school bus driver.

 

Nina was active in 4-H throughout her youth and also competed nationally for the Pony of the Americas Club. At age 15, she got involved with horse racing, first learning to be an exercise rider, then later deciding to become a jockey. She is currently licensed as an exercise rider and pony person at Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn, WA.

 

While her daughter was in 4-H, Nina became a 4-H club leader and member of several horse program boards in Yakima County. Together, Nina and her daughter also founded a Washington State High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) for the Yakima area.

 

Nina enjoys spending time outdoors with her horses, working and training in the arena or at the track, and trail riding as much as possible, in addition to traveling and attending rodeos with her daughter whenever she can!