Hollister
– It’s almost time for a new Miss San Benito Rodeo.
Hollister – It’s almost time for a new Miss San Benito Rodeo.
The county will crown this year’s winner during its annual competition at Bolado Park on Saturday. Ann Strickland, the office manager for the San Benito Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, said four San Benito County women will vie for the 2007 Miss San Benito Rodeo belt buckle, sash and tiara.
“It’s an opportunity for the young women to compete for the wonderful prizes and represent the San Benito Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo,” Strickland said.
This year’s Miss San Benito competitors include Tanya Dubrul, 17, Allie Kimes, 17, Erin Paxton, 18, and Amanda Jacobsen, 19.
The four women have a background of competing in the Saddle Horse and Rodeo or Future Farmers of America.
Jacobsen would be the second member of her family to be Miss San Benito Rodeo if she wins. Her sister, Margie Jacobsen, was won the title in 1995.
The Jacobsens wouldn’t be the first pair of sisters to win the competition.
From 1996 to 1999, two families dominated the competition.
Allison and Shannon Renz won in 1996 and 1998, while Jennifer and Melissa Dassel won in 1997 and 1999.
Lisa Tobias, who sits on the Committee for Miss San Benito Rodeo, said the winner is an ambassador for the county’s annual rodeo competition.
“She is the person who embodies the spirit of the show,” Tobias said.
Tobias said Miss San Benito Rodeo also represents the county in other events throughout the year, such as the Salinas Rodeo.
The competition, which begins at 9am, is open to women aged 16 to 20. Contestants also must be single, have no children and reside in San Benito County.
Contestants typically have a background in rodeo competition beginning at an early age, Strickland said.
A panel of four judges will decide the winner.
“They’re all from out of the county so there’s no bias,” Strickland said of the judges.
Judging is based on 40 percent horsemanship, 20 percent communication skills, 15 percent appearance and poise, 15 percent presentation and 10 percent scholarship. The communication skills, appearance and poise, and presentation portion of the competition will be judged with a brief interview.
Although it is the 17th continuous competition, the Miss Rodeo contest has a long history.
“Back before World War II they had queens of the rodeo,” Tobias said.
The Miss San Benito Rodeo competition began in 1939. Jean Madeiros was the first-ever Miss San Benito Rodeo.
While the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo continued, the Miss San Benito contest eventually fell by the wayside.
George Callens, then president of the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, revived the competition in 1991.
