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Emerging from a spirited competition on June 7, Francesca Donati has been coronated as Miss San Benito Rodeo for 2025.
Donati was awarded the crown after winning the annual contest at Bolado Park featuring both interview and equitation sections.
Kodi Fowles and Maria Naranjo also competed in the contest, which kicks off the upcoming San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo. The long-running rodeo includes the Saddle Horse Show Downtown Parade on June 21 and preliminary events on June 22 before the main event on June 27-28.
Donati, who replaces outgoing Miss San Benito Rodeo Emily Drost, will be attending several events throughout the year including the downtown parade, and will represent the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association at the California Rodeo in Salinas and the San Benito County Fair.
Miss San Benito Committee chair Grace Erickson said the role of the queen involves interacting with kids and sharing her experience in horsemanship with those who might be new to the rodeo.
“Ultimately she is there to serve as kind of the liaison between the athletes of the rodeo and the fans,” Erickson said.
Miss San Benito Rodeo contestants were judged on everything from personality and horsemanship, as well as communication skills, appearance and poise, presentation, and scholarship by judges Madison Keavy, Brittany Nielsen, Jennifer Ray and Shelby Ray.
Donati has been a Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo volunteer and worked for the San Benito County Cattle Company on duties such as branding, gathering and sorting cattle. She has also been involved in the Future Farmers of America and enjoys hunting, fishing and playing sports.
The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour, United Way, Taylor Farms and the Emma Bowen Foundation.
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