2026 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest Entry Information

2025 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contestants

Photo by Ronnie Esparza

SCHEDULE - MISS CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS CONTEST

(Horsemanship and Personality & Appearance Judging)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
8:15 A.M. Horsemanship judging begins at the Monterey County Sheriff's Posse Grounds.
Open to the public. No admission charges.
5:30 P.M. Doors open in the Rodeo Room (enter thru Tunnel 4).
6:00 P.M. Judging of on-stage Personality and Appearance in the California Rodeo Room begins.
Family and friends are welcome. Open to the public and no admission charges.

THURSDAY, JULY 2
ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2026 MISS CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS
Announcement will be made via carodeo.com and the Rodeo’s social media channels.

About the Contest

Each July, several young women converge upon Salinas to participate in the challenge of becoming the next Miss California Rodeo Salinas. Contest Chairman Laurie LaVelle and California Rodeo President Bob Eggers invite you to join the competition of the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest and the celebration of the 116th Anniversary of the California Rodeo Salinas!

The contest winner will receive a $3,000 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 lovely gifts and the honor of wearing the Miss California Rodeo Salinas gold and silver tiara.

Eligibility
Competition is open to young women 18 – 24 years of age. Contestants must be at least 18 years old by July 1, 2026 without having turned 25 by July 31, 2026. Contestants may enter the contest a maximum of three times, but may only win once.

In order to be eligible, contestants must represent either a recognized horsemen’s organization or another recognized community organization (not commercial). Miss California Rodeo 2026 will have numerous and rewarding opportunities and experiences during her reign. If any contestant entering the 2026 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest currently holds a queen title representing another rodeo or horse organization, she will be eligible to compete in our contest with specific conditions outlined in the Contestant Contract. There is no entry fee for the privilege of competing.

Scoring
Contestants are judged on horsemanship (40%), personality (30%), appearance (20%) and scholarship (10%). Horsemanship will include a pattern that demonstrates your horsemanship abilities and a presentation run on your 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.

Application Process
Applications will be accepted from February 14th to April 27th.

Once you have made the decision to compete for the title of Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2026, you will need to fill out an online application including uploading an essay (between 350 and 500 words, .doc format) and one (1) color 8x10 photo (at least 300 dpi, jpg format) of a head and shoulder shot in western attire with hat and no personal crown or sash. Your photograph and any others taken in connection with the event may be used to publicize the California Rodeo.

Details on accommodations during the contest are in the contestant contract. All contestants must be accompanied by a chaperone.

Upon the approval of your application and followed by the receipt of forms with signatures for the CRS Liability Waiver, the MCSP Waiver and the Contestant Contract all by Docusign (via email and due by May 1, 2026), a detailed information packet will be sent to each contestant. The packet will include guidelines and rules for each category of the contest, a contest itinerary, a list of recommended attire, and more.

If you have questions regarding the application or the contest, please do not hesitate to call the Rodeo Office @ (831) 775-3100 and ask for Laurie LaVelle.

Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2026 Contest Application

*Due to the requirements of this entry application, you must fill out this form on a desktop (not your mobile phone).

*Please only submit once. You will receive an automatic confirmation that your entry has been received and an email copy of your submitted entry.

*If you do not receive a confirmation email, we did not receive your application.

*The Liability Waivers and Contestant Contract will be emailed to you via Docusign after approval of your application. The documents are attached below if you'd like to read them, but do not sign and send back. Please wait for the Docusign agreement.

Information about accommodations during the contest can be found in the Contestant Contract.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY APRIL 27th.

*

Personal Information

Account info-you must fill out the info below to start your carodeo.com account and fill out form.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Sign up for email updates from California Rodeo Salinas

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Postal Code

Cell Phone Number

Home Phone Number

Date Of Birth

Father's Name

Father's Phone Number

Father's Email Address

Mother's Name

Mother's Phone Number

Mother's Email

Step Parent's Name, if any

Parent's Name to send the DocuSign to

Parent's Email to send the DocuSign

Education

High School Attended

College Attended

Other

Title Information

I am entering as "Miss

Enter the name of the recognized horseman's or community organization you represent (not commercial)

Name of Organization Representing

Contact Person and Title

Email address of contact person at sponsoring organization

Address & Phone Number of Organization Representing

UPLOAD YOUR COLOR PHOTO/HEADSHOT HERE

Must be at least 300 dpi and a .jpg Photo size should be at least a 8 x 10 Portrait

*

Contestant Biography (must be 350-500 words)

Contestant Biography must be written in third person and typed on a separate document (upload below). Your biography should include your introduction (include where you are from and who you are representing). Tell us about school(s) you've attended, your major and your future career plans. Please include special interests/hobbies, awards and non horse-related activities. Next include any rodeo and/or other horse show related activities and awards received in those areas. Last, but not least, why would you like to become Miss California Rodeo Salinas?

Upload your biography here Must be a word .doc or pdf

*

Media Information

Names, Addresses, Telephone Numbers & Email Addresses of Newspapers in your hometown

As a matter of ethical integrity, when you submit your application you have made a commitment to participate in the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest. As soon as your application is received and approved, the Miss California Rodeo Committee begins developing time lines, printing advertisement material, purchasing items for each contestant, etc.

By checking the box below you are confirming that you are the individual filling out the application as well as verifying the content and self, and the contact person of the sponsoring organization.

Please only submit once. You will receive an automatic confirmation that your entry has been received and an email copy of your submitted application.

I hereby acknowledge that all information provided is true and accurate.

Signature of Applicant:

DON'T FORGET

The Liability Waiver and Contestant Contract forms must be submitted via Docusign before your application is considered complete. Please look for the DocuSign agreement in your inbox within the next week. The DocuSign agreement is due by May 1, 2026.

FYI - Horsemanship

Due to the busy schedule at the California Rodeo Grounds, the Horsemanship Category of the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest will be held at the Monterey County Sheriffs Posse Grounds. All horses will be received and held at the Posse facility on Natividad Road during the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest.

If you have any questions regarding this application or the contest, please do not hesitate to call the Rodeo Office at 831-775-3100 and ask for Laurie LaVelle.

If you do not receive a confirmation email, we did not receive your application.

Submit