Miss California Rodeo Salinas is a year round ambassador for the California Rodeo Salinas, traveling to rodeos, parades, community events and more to promote the largest rodeo in California. Young ladies travel from all over California to compete in personality and appearance, horsemanship and a scholastic contest. Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2018, Valerie Costanza, will pass the title on to one of these three contestants: Kelsee French-Miss San Benito Rodeo, Madison Jones-Miss Old Town Clovis Kiwanis or Corissa King-Miss Gilroy Rodeo.
The 2019 contest, sponsored by Holiday Inn Express & Suites, begins on Wednesday, July 17th and concludes on Thursday, July 18th as the winner is announced during the Grand Entry of the first performance of the 109th California Rodeo Salinas just after 6pm. 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.
Full details about the contest can be found at https://www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/mcrs/2019-miss-california-rodeo-contest-entry-info. Biographies for each contestant are below.
Kelsee French – Miss San Benito Rodeo
Representing her home town of Hollister means representing its rodeo and history along with the town’s morals and values to Kelsee French – Miss San Benito Rodeo.She attends Gavilan College in pursuit of a degree in Physical Education to teach the next generation how to live healthy and happy lives.
While in high school Kelsee was active in multiple sports, high school rodeo and FFA.She has been fortunate enough to compete in many rodeo events her whole life.Recently Kelsee has acquired a love for Reining Cow Horse and Barrel Racing. She is most proud of winning the Junior All-Around Champion at San Benito County Horseshow and Rodeo.
Outside of the arena Kelsee spends time at the gym, coaching two high school basketball teams, going to the beach, playing with her dogs, spending time with family and being active in her community.She would eventually like to build a place for the disabled of her community to experience horses.This would give people a chance to encounter the lifestyle that she is so grateful to live every day.
Madison Jones – Miss Old Town Clovis Kiwanis
With her third year at California State University Fresno completed, Madison Jones – Miss Old Town Clovis Kiwanis is pursuing a degree with the ultimate goal of becoming a nurse.She is currently working at Clovis East High School with Special Needs students and feels very fortunate to be a part of their lives.
An animal lover at heart, Madison joined 4-H at the age of nine and signed up for the horse and goat projects.She highlighted her 4-H career by capturing the California 4-H State Reining Champion title.Those early years of 4-H prepared her for advancing competition in the American Quarter Horse Association where she achieved a Level One Reining Rookie Championship and a Youth Reining Circuit Championship.She also enjoys barrel racing on her six year old gelding, Bentley.
When she has down time, Madison loves camping, fishing or swimming at the lake or in the mountains with family and friends. She is grateful to her grandparents and family for all of the support and encouragement that they have given her to follow her dreams.
Corissa King – Miss Gilroy Rodeo
Fifth generation Californian Miss Gilroy Rodeo – Corissa King is from Hollister and currently attends California State University Fresno with plans of becoming an Agriculture Education teacher to help guide our future agriculture industry leaders.In high school she was very involved with Hollister FFA showing livestock, starting a welding business and holding several officer positions. She was awarded FFA’s American Degree in 2018 which is the highest award to an FFA member.
Beginning at a young age, Corissa participated in events at junior rodeos and local rodeos. She was an intern at the Beef Unit at Fresno State and is a current member of their Block and Bridle Club. She enjoys being involved as Secretary of the Fresno State Young Cattlemen’s Association, as well as having served as an intern for the California Cattlemen’s Association Convention for 2 years.
Outside of school and rodeo Corissa loves spending time with her family, friends and her puppies. Her other hobbies include playing field hockey with her little sister, welding and meeting new and interesting people with different backgrounds.
Photo by Interface Visual; MCRS 2018 Valerie Costanza.
About California Rodeo Salinas
The 109th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 18th-21st, 2019. 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 almost $500,000 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.