The Miss San Benito Rodeo contest will be held Saturday, June 17 in the Heritage Room at Bolado Park, overlooking the Pavilion courtyard. The contest begins at 10 a.m.
Members of the public are invited to attend and watch the contestants as they compete for the judges. A series of questions will be posed to the contestants, quizzing them on their knowledge of horsemanship, tack and equipment. They will be expected to have some understanding of the early California vaquero tradition of horse training and riding. After the Saturday morning questions, horsemanship will be judged in the arena. The queen will be announced in the Heritage Room afterwards.
Miss San Benito Rodeo will be officially introduced at the Garth Brooks Tribute Band concert Friday night June 17 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The 84th Annual Rodeo will be held at Bolado Park in Tres Pinos on June 23, 24, and 25.There will be events throughout the week related to the Horse Show and Rodeo and more information is available on their website.
San Benito County Horse Show and Rodeo Queen contestants are judged as follows:
Horsemanship (40 percent)
Communication Skills (20 percent)
Appearance & Poise (15 percent)
Presentation (15 percent)
Scholarship (10 percent)
Meet the 2017 contestants first-person:
Ashley Galdos: Outside of Rodeo, I love to go hiking, go to the beach, and especially antiquing. I am also a baseball and hockey sports fan. Going to the games is something I absolutely enjoy doing with my family and friends. 
Rodeo is something I have always had a passion for. I started with Gymkhana as a little girl and then went into High School rodeo. In 2015 I was Miss High School Rodeo District 4. I went to Bishop, CA to run for State Queen. My other events include barrels, poles, and goat tying. NBHA is also an association I love being a part of. Saddle Horse Show isn’t just something I like to do each year, but it’s a way of life for my family.
Corissa King: Beyond my interest in the sport of rodeo I am a very active member of the Hollister FFA Chapter as I am currently serving as Chapter Vice President. I am also a Youth Ambassador for Bolado Park Events Center and the San Benito County Fair. Along with my community involvement I was a varsity player on the San Benito High School field hockey team. 
I’ve rode horses since I was just a little girl, my first time riding on a horse was as an infant with my mom. At that point I fell in love with being on and around horses. I won “Best Girl’s Working Outfit for 4 to 7 years” when I was 5 years old. Since then I’ve enjoyed competing in the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo along with the San Benito County Fair Junior Rodeo. I’ve recently started riding reining horses and I have fallen in love with it.
Kelsee French: Some of my special interests include playing high school basketball and water polo, along with swimming on the swimming and diving team. I also have been a part of clubs like Circle of Friends and have been a peer leader within the life skills class. I am active in both the FFA and 4-H where I have had the honor to attend many different conferences, which I have enjoyed them all! 
As long as I can remember I have been riding, either riding at home with mom or at a rodeo, I have always loved riding. I enjoy being able to help my mom with training the horses along with riding them at competitions. Along with our local rodeo, I love competing at CHSRA, WCBRA and ACBRA rodeos and barrel races across the coast. I also compete at our local FFA chapters Light horse judging team. One of my most honorable memories horseback is winning Junior Track and Arena all-around while creating an arena record that still stands to this day at the Saddle Horse Show.
Shaelie Askew: I was born and raised in Hollister. I enjoy spending time with my family camping and hiking in Cayucos and on the beach. I am an avid member of the Fairview 4-H club where I was in the sewing, rabbit, horse and bee-keeping projects. I developed a love for theater at the San Benito Stage Company. Currently, I work for the Tres Pinos Feed Store.
In my spare time, love volunteering at animal rescues such as Pet Friends and working my four dogs on obedience. My future plans include attending Cabrillo College to achieve my Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene so I can come to work for an office here in Hollister. 
I have been riding my entire life. I started competing in local gymkhanas at the age of nine. Last spring, I enjoyed working with Chuy Chavez and learning the aspects of reining. In 2016, I was the Redwood Riders District 9 High Point Champion. Last year at the California Gymkhana Association’s State Finals, I won the keyhole, speedball and ribbon roping events. I competed in a total of 13 events and ended up third overall in the AA Division.
This year, I will compete on my horse “Chrome” at the Northern Classic, Firecracker Frenzy and I qualified for the 2017 California Gymkhana Association State Finals. My aspirations include becoming a AAA+ Gymkhana competitor as well as a 1D Barrel Racer.
The San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Queen contest is open to women who are between 17 to 20 years of age and meet the county residency requirements.
The duties of Miss San Benito Rodeo include attendance at the annual Membership Barbecue, the Hollister Downtown Parade, and the Grand Entry Parade at the Saddle Horse Show, the Rodeo Family Barbecue, and the annual Dinner.
The winner will also represent the San Benito County Horse Show and Rodeo Association throughout the year at such events as the California Rodeo in Salinas, local community functions, the San Benito County Fair, and the Junior Rodeo.
Contest Chair:
Jamie Fowles
Contest Committee:
Terry Andrade
Kellie Pellin
Heather Callens
Master of Ceremonies:
Charlie Tobias
Judges:
Brittany Nielsen
Kari VanBlarcom
Kathy Torres
Michelle Ulrech
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