A new Miss California Rodeo Salinas has been crowned for the 2026 event.Maddi Borland, a California High School Rodeo State Queen, was selected after two days of competition and will now represent the California Rodeo Salinas at rodeos, parades, community events and appearances throughout California for the next year.The five contestants were 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.Crummey was named first runner-up, and Drost earned second runner-up honors.Contestants were judged in the areas of personality, appearance, scholarship and horsemanship.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 other prizes and awards.Borland is a first-generation rancher’s daughter from southern San Benito County. Borland recently graduated from California Virtual Academy, where she posted a 3.8 GPA and participated in the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and career technical education pathways. She also completed dual-enrollment coursework in business management and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.She began competing in junior rodeos at age 5 and later joined the California High School Rodeo District 4 Team.Borland competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping, team roping and cutting. She also participates in the American Cowboy Team Roping Association and the National Barrel Horse Association.Outside the arena, she works on her family’s cattle ranch, trains mustangs, gives riding lessons and shows livestock through 4-H.
SALINAS, Calif. —
A new Miss California Rodeo Salinas has been crowned for the 2026 event.
Maddi Borland, a California High School Rodeo State Queen, was selected after two days of competition and will now represent the California Rodeo Salinas at rodeos, parades, community events and appearances throughout California for the next year.
The five contestants were 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.
Crummey was named first runner-up, and Drost earned second runner-up honors.
Contestants were judged in the areas of personality, appearance, scholarship and horsemanship.
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 other prizes and awards.
Borland is a first-generation rancher’s daughter from southern San Benito County.
Borland recently graduated from California Virtual Academy, where she posted a 3.8 GPA and participated in the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and career technical education pathways.
She also completed dual-enrollment coursework in business management and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.
She began competing in junior rodeos at age 5 and later joined the California High School Rodeo District 4 Team.
Borland competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping, team roping and cutting. She also participates in the American Cowboy Team Roping Association and the National Barrel Horse Association.
Outside the arena, she works on her family’s cattle ranch, trains mustangs, gives riding lessons and shows livestock through 4-H.