Annie Tobias is no stranger to the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo. In fact, she’s been attending since before she was born.
“I distinctively remember being pregnant with Annie while I was pushing Grace (her sister) in a stroller through the rocks down near the barbecue area,” said Annie’s mother, Lisa Tobias. “If you’ve ever tried to push a stroller through rocks, you would remember it too.”
The 17 year-old San Benito High graduate was named Miss San Benito Rodeo this month, an honor bestowed upon young, local horsewomen who exhibit a knowledge of riding, roping and all-around cowgirling. She is the daughter of Lisa and Dr. Charlie Tobias, a longtime Hollister veterinarian and Saddle Horse Show Director. Although Dr. Tobias has served on the show’s Board of Directors, he did not participate in judging the queen contest. The show’s policy mandates that judges come from out of the area to discourage any favortism or pre-disposition.
“I have been a participant of the show since I was four,” Tobias said in her contest application. “My favorite events include the stock horse classes and wild cow milking. I truly love the uniqueness of the show and the sense of community created for exhibitors and spectators alike.”
Tobias plans to attend the University of San Diego this Fall and major in Economics. She is also a longtime 4-H member who raised lambs, steers and heifers and served as a San Benito County All-Star and state ambassador. Her 4-H team was responsible for planning a leadership conference for more than 500 fellow 4-Hers to celebrate the organization’s 100 year anniversary. She was also a member of the SBHS varsity tennis team and a long/triple jumper on the track team, which won the CCS Championship this spring.
The annual queen competition is open to women 17 years of age as of June 1 who have not reached their 21st birthdays as of July 31. Entrants must be single, non-parents, and eligible to participate in the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo. The first Queen Contest for the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo was in 1939 when local rancher Jean Medeiros was crowned Queen. The contest gives young cattlewomen a way to show off their horsemanship and personality. The contest was interrupted during World War II (1942-45) and was discontinued until 1991 when George Callens, then-president of the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, reintroduced Miss San Benito Rodeo.
Contestants are judged on horsemanship (40%), communication skills (20%), appearance and poise (15%), presentation (15%), and scholarship (10%). Horsemanship is judged on a short reining pattern, equitation, flag run, and presentation run. Contestants wear traditional Vaquero attire: blue or colored jeans, long-sleeved shirt, hat, and boots and must wear the same throughout the entire competition. Leather chaps, spurs, hobbles, and lariat/riata are optional – but recommended. Communication skills, appearance and poise, and presentation judging includes a brief interview. The Scholarship portion includes 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, Downtown Parade, daily Grand Entry at the Saddle Horse Show, and the Sunday Awards Presentation at the Show. Tobias is also required to represent the Association throughout the year at the California Rodeo in Salinas, local community functions, the San Benito County Fair, and the Junior Rodeo.
Tobias receives 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, Katie Nino and Karli Skow, carry flags for the Downtown Parade and Grand Entry each day of the show.
SAN BENITO COUNTY SADDLE HORSE SHOW & RODEO
BOLADO PARK FAIRGROUNDS, TRES PINOS, CA
(831) 628-3545
FRIDAY, JUNE 28th, 7:00 P.M.
SATURDAY, JUNE 29th, 1:30 P.M.
SUNDAY, JUNE 30th, 1:30 P.M.
General Admission Tickets will go on sale in late May in person.
Mail/Phone Orders will be kept on file by date received and processed starting on May 27th.
TICKET INFORMATION
All seats are reserved in our shaded Grandstand and all ticket sales are final
Friday night seats are $7.00 for Adults
Toddlers through 11 years old are $4.00
Babes in arms are free
Saturday and Sunday seats are $10.00 for Adults
Toddlers through 11 years old are $4.00
Babes in arms are free
Where to Buy Tickets – In Person
Rodeo Office at Bolado Park, 9000 Airline Hwy, Tres Pinos, CA [Map it]
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm, except during the Rodeo when we’re always open
Accepts Cash, Checks, Credit Cards
Ranchers Feed, 354 First St, Hollister, CA [Map it]
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm, Saturday 8:30am-3:30pm
Accepts Cash, Checks, Credit Cards
You can purchase tickets here from May 27th through June 27th
Where to Buy Tickets – By Mail
Tickets can be obtained by printing the 2013 Pre-Order Tickets Form from our Downloads page
Mail the form to P.O. Box 56, Hollister, CA 95024
Include a check payable to the S.B.C. Saddle Horse Association
Please indicate the desired seat location
Where to Buy Tickets – By Phone
Rodeo office at (831) 628-3545 Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm to reserve seats
Credit cards can be used to pay for the tickets over the phone
Tickets can be held at will call which accepts cash or checks only