The California Rodeo Salinas is proud to announce the contestants competing for the title of Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2026, one of the most prestigious rodeo queen titles in the industry. The competition celebrates outstanding young women who exemplify the values of the Western lifestyle through their horsemanship, leadership, communication skills, personality, appearance, and academic achievements.
Rachel Lancaster, Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2025, will pass the crown to one of the following contestants:
● Maddi Borland, Miss California High School Rodeo State Queen
● Lillian Crummey, Miss Rodeo Oakdale
● Hayley DeMartin, Miss Wine Country Rodeo
● Emily Drost, Miss San Benito Rodeo
● Melody Gist, Miss Cal Poly Rodeo
● Lilly Kier, Miss Rodeo Glennville
The 2026 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest, presented by Holiday Inn Express & Suites, will take place Tuesday, June 30, through Thursday, July 2. The new Miss California Rodeo Salinas will be crowned during the awards ceremony on July 2.
As the official ambassador of the California Rodeo Salinas, the winner will represent California's largest rodeo throughout the year at rodeos, parades, community events, and public appearances across the state and beyond. In addition to the honor of wearing the crown, she will receive a $3,000 college scholarship, a gold-and-silver trophy buckle, a tiara, use of a two-horse trailer for one year, and numerous additional prizes and awards.
"Each year, we are inspired by the remarkable young women who compete for this title," said Laurie LaVelle, Director of the Miss California Rodeo Salinas Committee. "The Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest is about much more than a crown. It recognizes young women who are passionate about agriculture and rodeo, committed to personal excellence, and ready to serve as ambassadors for our sport, our community, and the Western way of life. We look forward to welcoming this outstanding group of contestants and their families to Salinas."
For the full contest schedule and details, visit:
https://www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/mcrs/2026-miss-...
Read contestant biographies below:
Maddi Borland - Miss California High School Rodeo State Queen
As a first-generation rancher’s daughter from southern San Benito County, Maddi Borland has built her life around agriculture, rodeo, and the Western way of life. Maddi recently graduated from California Virtual Academy, where she maintained a 3.8 GPA while participating in the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and Career Technical Education pathways. She also completed dual enrollment Business Management courses and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business.
Maddi began competing in junior rodeos at just five years old and later joined the California High School Rodeo District 4 Team, where her passion for rodeo continued to grow. She currently competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping, team roping, and cutting, while also participating in the American Cowboy Team Roping Association and the National Barrel Horse Association.
Outside of the arena, Maddi works on her family’s cattle ranch, trains mustangs, gives riding lessons, and shows livestock through 4-H. Through rodeo and ranching, she has developed strong values of integrity, perseverance, and responsibility that guide both her personal and professional goals. As Miss California High School Rodeo, Maddi is passionate about promoting rodeo traditions, educating others about the Western lifestyle, and encouraging youth involvement within the rodeo community.
Lillian Crummey - Miss Rodeo Oakdale
Surrounded by dairies, vineyards, and farmland, Lillian Crummey has spent her life deeply connected to California agriculture and the Western lifestyle. Representing the Cowboy Capital of the World, Lillian developed her passion for horses and livestock through years of involvement in 4-H, where she showed sheep and horses from a young age. While she has competed in several equestrian disciplines throughout the years, the cutting pen remains where she feels most at home. She currently spends much of her time helping at her local barn and working as a loper during show season.
Dedicated to serving both her community and the rodeo industry, Lillian enjoys assisting with rodeo operations and encouraging youth involvement in agriculture and rodeo through community events and Ag Days. Her work as an in-home support provider for adults with special needs has strengthened her appreciation for compassion, patience, and meaningful connection within her community.
Lillian graduated from high school a year early while earning associate degrees in Psychology and Humanities. She is currently pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business with plans to continue her education at Cal Poly and work alongside PRCA athletes managing ranch operations and agricultural businesses. Outside of the arena, she enjoys reading, archery, and spending time with family, friends, and her blue heeler, Nakia.
Hayley DeMartin - Miss Wine Country Rodeo
Growing up in the heart of Sonoma County, Hayley DeMartin has spent her life immersed in agriculture, rodeo, and the Western lifestyle she proudly represents as Miss Wine Country Rodeo. Raised on her family’s beef cattle ranches, Hayley developed a strong work ethic and passion for animal care at an early age. Her dedication to the livestock industry continued through her involvement in FFA, where she earned recognition in livestock showing and public speaking competitions, including honors as Petaluma FFA Sweetheart and recipient of multiple agricultural scholarships.
A graduate of Petaluma High School, Hayley later earned her associate’s degree in animal science from Santa Rosa Junior College. She currently works as a veterinary assistant at an equine clinic and plans to continue a career within the performance horse industry through equine medicine, showing, and marketing.
An accomplished horsewoman, Hayley has competed in numerous Western disciplines, including barrel racing, roping, ranch riding, cutting, and reined cow horse, earning multiple buckles and awards throughout the years. Outside of the arena, she enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time outdoors with friends and family. Hayley is honored to promote the traditions of rodeo while serving as a positive role model for future generations.
Emily Drost – Miss San Benito Rodeo
Emily Drost proudly calls San Benito County home, where generations of agriculture, rolling hills, and a strong western heritage have shaped her values and passion for service. She has dedicated much of her life to horses, rodeo, and community involvement. A lifelong competitor in rodeo and horse shows, Emily developed a love for horsemanship while learning the importance of responsibility, resilience, and integrity. The lessons she has gained in and out of the arena continue to guide her in all aspects of life.
Service has always been at the heart of Emily’s journey. From volunteering with Cooper’s Calling to mentoring youth through 4-H leadership roles and participating in community events, she is committed to making a positive impact on those around her. Emily believes in leading by example and encouraging the next generation to embrace hard work, kindness, and perseverance.
Emily’s passion for rodeo runs deep in her family and has instilled in her a strong appreciation for tradition, community, and the western way of life. She holds a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology and plans to continue her education in nursing school to become a Psychiatric Nurse. Whether through healthcare, volunteerism, or rodeo, Emily’s goal is to uplift others, support those in need, and make a meaningful difference in her community.
Melody Gist - Miss Cal Poly Rodeo
Hailing from Placerville, California, a town known for its rich Gold Rush history, Melody Gist proudly represents the Western lifestyle as Miss Cal Poly Rodeo. Raised in a family with strong rodeo traditions, Melody has spent her life immersed in the equine industry and competing in events ranging from barrel racing to cutting. Her lifelong involvement in rodeo has strengthened both her horsemanship skills and her appreciation for the dedication required within the sport.
Melody is currently attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she studies Microbiology with a minor in Equine Science. Combining her passion for science and horses, she hopes to pursue a career developing and testing veterinary pharmaceuticals to improve the health and well-being of equine athletes. In addition to her academic pursuits, Melody enjoys modeling, music, and representing her family’s business at community events.
Dedicated to leadership and service, Melody has held numerous positions including California High School Rodeo Association Publicist, National Honor Society Secretary, and Vice President of the California Scholarship Federation chapter. Through rodeo, academics, and community involvement, Melody strives to inspire others to pursue higher education while continuing to honor and preserve the traditions of the Western way of life.
Lilly Kier - Miss Rodeo Glennville
While proudly representing the tiny mountain town of Glennville as Miss Rodeo Glennville, Lilly Kier resides in Madera Ranchos near the Sierra Nevada foothills. A lifelong equestrian with a passion for agriculture and the Western way of life, Lilly has dedicated much of her time to horsemanship, leadership, and community involvement. She participated in 4-H for nine years and FFA for four years, where she showed goats, chickens, horses, and steers while also competing nationally in horse judging. Lilly graduated as valedictorian from high school and was active on both her school’s equestrian and cheer teams. She also earned high individual honors at the State Light Horse Judging competition.
Lilly graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business. While attending Fresno State, she participated in the Jordan College Honors Cohort and completed a research project focused on guayule production in the San Joaquin Valley. Her education and experiences have strengthened her appreciation for California agriculture and the ranching industry.
As Miss Rodeo Glennville, Lilly enjoys promoting rodeo, agriculture, and the Western lifestyle throughout California. When she is not volunteering or helping with ranch responsibilities, she enjoys spending time with her horses and continuing to improve her horsemanship skills.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS
The 116th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 16-19, 2026. 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. The Association supports local nonprofits and community groups through its annual Rodeo and year-round operations at the Salinas Sports Complex. In 2025, these efforts generated over $856,000 for local organizations.
For more information, visit www.CARodeo.com or contact the Rodeo Office at (831) 775-3100.
