Four local young women will vie for the title of Miss San Benito Rodeo 2012 this weekend in the event that is a precursor to the annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
Megan Ford, Jessa Horder, Kellie Mancino and Karli Skow are this year’s queen contestants. The tradition of naming a queen for the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo dates back to 1939, when organizers wanted to give local girls a way to show off their horsemanship and personality.
The event was interrupted during World War II and eventually discontinued. It was restarted in 1991.
The competition is open to women who are 17 years old or above as of June 1 and have not reached age 21 as of July 31. Contestants are judged on horsemanship, communication skills, appearance and poise, presentation and scholarship –judged by a short quiz based on county and horse show history.
Miss San Benito Rodeo will attend the annual membership and rodeo family barbecues, the downtown parade, the daily grand entry to the Saddle Horse Show and the Sunday awards presentation. The winner will also represent the Saddle Horse Show Association throughout the year at the California Rodeo in Salinas, local community functions, the San Benito County Fair, and the Junior Rodeo.
Runners-up will carry flags during the downtown parade and the grand entry each day of the show.
Other upcoming Saddle Horse Show events include roping events at Bolado Park on June 16 and 17, the downtown rodeo parade on June 21 and the show itself from June 22-24.
For more information, visit www.sanbenitocountyrodeo.com.
