The Miss Rodeo California Pageant is held annually in the Fall to select a young woman who has the desire and enthusiasm to serve as a goodwill ambassador in the State of California for the sport of professional rodeo. Miss Rodeo California is awarded the prestigious opportunity to represent California in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. The Miss Rodeo America Pageant is held in December each year in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Originally held in Turlock, the Miss Rodeo California Pageant moved to Sacramento in 1982 and then to Brawley in 1988. In 1989, the pageant moved to Poway to be held in conjunction with the Poway Rodeo. After 5 successful years in Poway, the 1995 pageant was held in Fresno in conjunction with the World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity. A short time later, a group made a bid for the pageant to move to San Dimas to be held in conjunction with their rodeo. The pageant made another move in 2008 to Paso Robles for a short time before, moving yet again to Lancaster where it was held during California Circuit Finals. In 2021 the current board which includes several former Miss Rodeo Californias moved the pageant to a central location in San Luis Obispo. In San Luis Obispo we have formed a relationship with the Cal Poly Rodeo Team and use many community venues during the pageant.
The Miss Rodeo California Pageant has a strong focus on providing all young women that compete for the title with a scholarship to assist them in achieving their educational goals. The Miss Rodeo California Pageant Board of Directors has pledged to make the pageant memorable for each entrant. The Board is confident that the contestant who is chosen as Miss Rodeo California will represent her state with grace, enthusiasm and professionalism, while promoting the sport of professional rodeo.
The many prizes, scholarships and awards, presented to the Contestants, and the statewide recognition they receive, have all combined to entice many of the young ladies interested in horses, and in particular the world of rodeo, to become entrants in this event. Scholarships have been an important part of the Pageant and these are intended to assist the winners in extending their education and knowledge. At the 2019 pageant held in October of 2018, each of the eight contestants received a scholarship for the first time in a long time, if not ever. Every year we have continued adding more prize money to the scholarships that our girls receive.
It is with the help of many sponsors and volunteers that many women have had and will have the opportunity to compete in the prestigious Miss Rodeo California pageant and some go on to hold the title of Miss Rodeo California.
Here are the former titleholders.
Former Miss Rodeo Californias (L to R): Jackie Scarry MRC ’22, Morgan (Laughlin) Naccarato MRC ’20-’21, Cailee Roper MRC ’24, McKensey Middleton MRC ’23, Brittany (Nuckols) Hensley MRC ’06, Markie Battaglia MRC ’10 and Brittany (Slaton) Walker MRC ’11
Miss Rodeo California, Inc 