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Miss San Benito Rodeo

Decades of Tradition

The first Queen Contest for the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo was in 1939. It was then that Jean Medeiros was crowned Queen. The contest had charm and was very popular with participants and spectators alike. It gave the girls of the county a way to show off their horsemanship and personality. The contest was interrupted during World War II (1942-45) and was eventually discontinued. In 1991, George Callens, president of the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, reintroduced Miss San Benito Rodeo, bringing back the tradition, heritage, and pageantry surrounding the contest and the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.

Overview

The competition is open to women 17 years of age as of June 1st, 2023, and have not reached their 21st birthdays as of July 31st, 2023.  Entrants must be single, non-parents, and eligible to participate in the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.  There is no entry fee for this contest.  Entrants will be required to sign an acceptance of responsibility and a liability waiver.

Contestants will be judged on:

  • Horsemanship (40%)
  • Communication Skills (20%)
  • Appearance and Poise (15%)
  • Presentation ($15)
  • Scholarship (10%)

Horsemanship is judged on a short reining pattern, equitation, flag run, and presentation run.  Attire will consist of blue or colored jeans, long-sleeved shirt, hat, and boots.  This one outfit must be worn throughout the entire competition.  Chaps, spurs, hobbles, and lariat/riata are optional – but recommended.  Communication Skills, Appearance and Poise, and Presentation judging will include a brief interview. The Scholarship portion will be a short quiz based on San Benito County and local Horse Show history.

The duties of Miss San Benito Rodeo include attendance at the annual Membership BBQ, Rodeo Family BBQ, daily Grand Entry at the Saddle Horse Show, and the Sunday Awards Presentation at the Show.  Winner will also be required to represent the Association throughout the year at the California Rodeo in Salinas, local community functions, the San Benito County Fair, the Junior Rodeo and the Cattlemen’s Dinner Dance.

The winner will receive a sponsorship as Miss San Benito Rodeo at the California Rodeo in the year that she completes her reign as Miss San Benito Rodeo.  Runners-up in the contest will carry flags for the Downtown Parade and Grand Entry each day of the show.

Entries MUST be received in the Horse Show office by Friday, May 5th, 2023.  CONTEST will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 starting at 10:00 a.m. at Bolado Park. Contestants are to arrive at Bolado Park at 9:00 a.m.

Application forms will be available Friday, March 31st, 2023.

Download 2023 Application

Rules

  1. Contestant must be between the ages of 17 as of June 1st, 2023, and not yet reached her 21st birthday as of July 31st, 2023.
  2. Contestant must be single, non-parent and eligible to participate in the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
  3. Contestant must furnish her own horse and tack for the contest.
  4. Contestant must wear one outfit throughout the entire competition.
  5. A curb, half-breed, or Spanish bit is allowed with leather or flat chain curb larger than 1/2” wide. Snaffle, snaffle bosal, mechanical hackamore, martingale, or tie-downs are not permitted. Reins to be held in one hand and cannot be split.
  6. Stud horses will not be allowed in the contest.
  7. Contestant may enter event more than one year but may only win once.
  8. There is no entry fee for the privilege of entering.
  9. Each contestant must sign an acceptance of responsibility and liability waiver.
  10. Contestants and winner represent the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association and will conduct themselves in a moral and respectful manner during their complete time as representatives.
  11. Katie Muenzer will be the Photographer, this year. Date for pictures to be determined at a later date.
  12. Entries must be submitted to the Association office at Bolado Park in person or by mail: P O Box 529, Tres Pinos CA 95075 or by e-mail: office@sanbenitocountyrodeo.com. Entries must be received in the office by Friday, May 5th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
  13. The contest will be June 3rd, 2023
    The Membership Barbecue will be June 18th, 2023
    The Downtown Parade will be held June 17th, 2023
    The Horse Show and Rodeo will be June 23rd, 24th and June 25th, 2023
    The Rodeo Family Barbecue will be June 24th, 2023

ALL contestants should keep these dates available and are expected and required to attend these Association functions. The winner of the contest will also attend numerous community functions in the month of June to help promote and represent the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.