Rachel Lancaster has been crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2025 following two days of competition at the Salinas Sports Complex. Four accomplished young women vied for the title: Emily Drost, Miss San Benito Rodeo; Summer Fanning, Miss Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo; Rachel Lancaster, Miss Marine Corp. League #014; and Gracie Skow, Miss San Benito Jr. Rodeo Association. Emily Drost was named first runner-up, and Gracie Skow took home second runner-up honors.
Contestants were judged in the categories of personality, appearance, scholarship, and horsemanship. Emily Drost earned top marks in personality and appearance, while Rachel Lancaster received the highest scores in horsemanship and scholarship. Gracie Skow was honored with the congeniality award, as voted on by her fellow contestants.
As the newly crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas, Lancaster received a $3,000 educational scholarship, a custom gold and silver belt buckle, a tiara sponsored by the Harden Foundation, the use of a two-horse trailer for one year, and an assortment of additional gifts and awards. Over the next year, she will serve as an ambassador for the California Rodeo Salinas and the Western way of life, representing the organization at rodeos, parades, and community events throughout California.
The 2025 Miss California Rodeo Salinas contest was sponsored by Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
Photo by Ronnie Esparza Photography.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS
The 115th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 17–20, 2025. As a not-for-profit organization, the California Rodeo Association is dedicated to preserving the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the Western way of life while fostering community involvement and cultural heritage. Through its annual Rodeo and year-round operations at the Salinas Sports Complex, the Association supports local nonprofits and community groups. In 2024, these efforts generated over $796,000 for local organizations. For more information, visit www.CARodeo.com or contact the Rodeo Office at (831) 775-3100.
