Maddi Borland is Crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2026

SALINAS, CA, July 2, 2026-Maddi Borland was crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2026 following 2 days of competition at the Salinas Sports Complex and Monterey County Sheriffs Posse Grounds. As the new titleholder, she will represent the California Rodeo Salinas at rodeos, parades, community events, and appearances throughout California over the coming year.

Five talented young women competed for the title: Maddi Borland, Miss California High School Rodeo State Queen; Lillian Crummey, Miss Rodeo Oakdale; Emily Drost, Miss San Benito Rodeo; Melody Gist, Miss Cal Poly Rodeo; and Lilly Kier, Miss Rodeo Glennville. Hayley DeMartin, Miss Wine Country Rodeo, withdrew from the competition before it began.

Lillian Crummey was named First Runner-Up, while Emily Drost earned Second Runner-Up honors.

Contestants were judged in the areas of personality, appearance, scholarship, and horsemanship. Maddi Borland earned top honors in Personality and Appearance, Lillian Crummey received the highest horsemanship score, and Melody Gist earned the top scholarship score. The Congeniality Award, voted on by the contestants themselves, ended in a tie between Lilly Kier and Lillian Crummey in recognition of their friendship, sportsmanship, and support of their fellow contestants throughout the competition.

As Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2026, Borland received a $3,000 educational scholarship, a custom gold-and-silver belt buckle, a tiara sponsored by the Harden Foundation, use of a two-horse trailer for one year, and numerous additional prizes and awards.

The Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest recognizes young women for their horsemanship, communication skills, leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to representing the Western way of life. Throughout her reign, Borland will serve as an ambassador for the California Rodeo Salinas, promoting the sport of rodeo, agriculture, and Western heritage at events across the state.

The 2026 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest was sponsored by Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

Photo courtesy of Ronnie Esparza Photography.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS

The 116th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 16-19, 2026. As a not-for-profit organization, the California Rodeo Association is dedicated to preserving the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the Western way of life while fostering community involvement and cultural heritage. The Association supports local nonprofits and community groups through its annual Rodeo and year-round operations at the Salinas Sports Complex. In 2025, these efforts generated over $856,000 for local organizations.

For more information, visit www.CARodeo.com or contact the Rodeo Office at (831) 775-3100.

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