The California Rodeo Salinas is excited to host four young ladies during Big Week as they compete for the title of Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2016. Competition starts on Wednesday July 20th and the winner will be announced at the beginning of the Rodeo performance Thursday July 21st. The newly crowned young lady will represent the California Rodeo Salinas for an entire year, traveling to various parades and events throughout California. The contestants are Isabeau Ennis – Miss Tehachapi Mountain Jr. Rodeo, Megan Ford – Miss San Benito Rodeo, Sylvana Talamantes – Miss Tuolumne County Sheriff Posse and Samantha Turner – Miss LaGrange Rodeo.
The contest consists of horsemanship, personality, appearance and scholastic categories. The winner of the contest will receive the title of Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2016 along with a $2,500 cash scholarship, a gold and silver trophy buckle, a gold and silver tiara, the use of a two-horse trailer for one year and many other gifts. The contest is sponsored by the Laurel Inn Motel & Conference Center.
On Thursday July 21st, Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2015 Taylor Howell and current Rodeo President Mike Scarr will present Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2016 with her title on the track after the Grand Entry just before the Rodeo begins at 6pm.
2016 Contestant Biographies:
Isabeau Ennis – Miss Tehachapi Mountain Jr. Rodeo
The Antelope Valley town of Lancaster is home to Isabeau Ennis – Miss Tehachapi Mountain Junior Rodeo. While currently attending Antelope Valley Community College to complete her Associates Degree, she plans to transfer to UCLA or Trenton University in Texas to major in Communications and minor in Criminal Justice. The daughter of Michael and Patricia Ennis hopes to ultimately obtain her Master’s in Business Communications to reach her goal of becoming involved in agricultural law.
In addition to competing in team roping and breakaway roping events in the Tehachapi Mountain Junior Rodeo Association, Isabeau also competes in the exciting sport of Extreme Cowboy Racing which invites all levels of riders to participate and enjoy one of the fastest growing equine sports.
Apart from her horse related activities, she is an active youth group member of her church and just graduated from the AWANA Scholarship program with a Citation Award. Her other activities include competitively participating in public speaking events and being involved with community service activities. In her free time Isabeau is an avid runner and loves to sing.
Megan Ford – Miss San Benito Rodeo
As a fourth generation San Benito County resident, Megan Ford – Miss San Benito Rodeo is very passionate about representing her hometown rodeo. The daughter of George and Monica Ford currently attends Gavilan Community College with plans to transfer to the CSU Monterey Bay’s nursing program to become a registered nurse.
In addition to working in the pharmacy at a local hospital and working at a local coffee shop, she still finds time to give riding lessons to young children. Beginning at the age of four, Megan has participated in junior rodeos, ranch rodeos, high school rodeos, and college rodeos for Feather River College in the events of barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping and team roping. Currently she is a member of the American Cowboy Team Roping Association (ACTRA).
Some of her favorite events to attend are brandings because helping other local ranchers builds a stronger sense of community and family which is something that is very important to Megan. Her other hobbies include fishing, snowboarding, going to the lake and rescuing animals.
Sylvana Talamantes – Miss Tuolumne County Sheriff Posse
Born and raised in Oakdale, the Cowboy Capitol of the World, Sylvana Talamantes – Miss Tuolumne County Sheriff Posse is the daughter of Carlos Talamantes and Kaysi Lubbers. Sylvana attends Modesto Junior College where she is finishing her general education and beginning her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with plans to transfer to UC Davis where she will pursue her Doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine. She has made the dean’s list every semester while attending junior college.
Aside from academics, Sylvana works at her family’s ranch. She trains horses and has started an Angus beef business with her brother. Training horses is her passion and she enjoys multiple riding styles such as English, western pleasure, ranch horse, reining and barrel racing. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of horses and gives lessons to younger kids on riding and training their own horse.
Sylvana also enjoys kayaking, hiking, fishing, biking and swimming. She considers herself blessed to have all the opportunities in her life and hopes to share her positive attitude with others by taking pride in helping her community and others around her.
Samantha Turner – Miss LaGrange Rodeo
From the Central Valley town of Waterford, Samantha Turner enters our contest as Miss LaGrange Rodeo. The daughter of Carl and Cindy Turner and Greg Watts is currently attending Modesto Junior College where she is studying to obtain certification as a veterinary technician for large and small animals. Ultimately, she plans a career in the field of veterinary medicine to work alongside other technicians, as well as veterinarians.
Throughout high school Samantha participated in volleyball, basketball, softball and track. She has received multiple awards for her involvement in sports. Upon graduation she was recognized for playing 13 sports during her high school years.
Samantha began riding horses at an early age and became an active competitor in team penning. She gradually moved through the competitions and divisions to compete with her parents. Team penning competition has developed her riding ability and she has received numerous awards including buckles, saddles and titles for her skills. In her spare time Samantha likes to rope, participate in sports and drive a car in her local fair’s demolition derby.
About the California Rodeo
The 106th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 21st-24th, 2016. The California Rodeo Association is a non-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns over $300,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. ‘Like’ the California Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on twitter @CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.