The Miss California Rodeo Salinas title is widely recognized within the rodeo industry as one of the top honors for young ladies who desire to promote the western lifestyle. Each year young women from all over the state of California travel to Salinas during Big Week to compete in the prestigious contest to represent the largest professional rodeo in California. The winner will travel to various events including other rodeos, parades and more throughout the year acting as an ambassador for the event, the sport and western culture.
Entries for the 2018 contest open on Wednesday, February 14th and close on Monday, May 7th. Full contest details and a digital application can be found at https://www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/mcrs/mcrs2018info. The contest consists of horsemanship, personality, appearance and scholarship categories. The contest begins on Wednesday, July 18th and Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2017 Lena Coulson will present the winner with her new title on Thursday, July 19th at the beginning of the first California Rodeo Salinas performance. The winner will receive a $2,500 cash scholarship to be used at the college of her choice, a gold and silver trophy belt buckle, the use of a two-horse trailer for one year, along with many other gifts and the privilege of wearing the Miss California Rodeo Salinas gold and silver tiara. “The Miss California Rodeo Salinas contest has changed every aspect of my life and made me the woman I am today,” said Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2017 Lena Coulson. “It all comes down to how hard you are willing to work and how badly you want to represent a rodeo where the west truly comes alive.”
Competition is open to young women 18-21 years of age. Contestants must be at least 18 years old by July 1, 2018 without having turned 22 by July 31, 2018. In order to be eligible, contestants must represent either a recognized horsemen’s organization or another recognized community organization (not commercial). Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2018 will have numerous and rewarding opportunities during her reign. If any contestant entering the 2018 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest currently holds a title representing another rodeo or horse organization, she will be eligible to compete in the contest with specific conditions outlined in the Contestant Contract.
Contestants are judged on horsemanship (40%), personality (30%), appearance (20%) and scholarship (10%). Horsemanship will include a pattern that demonstrates horsemanship abilities and a presentation run on the contestant’s own horse. Each contestant will also participate in a draw for the exchange of contestants’ horses. The same pattern or one similar will be performed by each contestant on the horse selected in the draw. Personality and appearance judging will involve a brief private interview and friendly impromptu questions before an audience. The scholarship section will include a short examination.
Call the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Committee Chairman Laurie LaVelle at 831-775-3100 with any questions. The 2018 contest is sponsored by the official hotel partner of the California Rodeo Salinas, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Salinas.
Photo: Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2017 Lena Coulson by Interface Visual
About California Rodeo Salinas
The 108th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 19th-22nd, 2018. The California Rodeo Association is a not-for-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 $400,000 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.