Chenae was raised on the back of a horse, whether at a rodeo or moving cattle in the field–the cowboy way was a part of everyday life. She learned to love the rodeo arena, competing in barrel racing, poles and breakaway roping—and qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals three times in the barrel racing event.
Along the way, she picked up rodeo queening and promoting the western lifestyle became a passion. She won Utah State High School Rodeo Queen in 2007 and went on to become the 2007-08 National High School Rodeo Association Queen.
After high school Chenae went to Utah State University, where she earned her business degree. She kept up with her rodeo queening goals, and in 2010 won the title of Miss Wilderness Circuit and Miss Rodeo Ogden. In 2012, as Ogden’s representative, she achieved a lifelong goal of winning the Miss Rodeo Utah title. Representing the Beehive State in Las Vegas that same year, she won the title of Miss Rodeo America 2013—a true honor for her.
After passing on her crowns, Chenae went on to marry her own cowboy, professional tie-down roper, Stetson Vest. They continue to travel the pro rodeo trail together, now joined by their little girl. When not on the road, they reside in Childress, Texas and work on the family ranch.