The 2026 Ramona Rodeo Queen pageant on April 10 and 11 will determine which of nine young women with a passion for rodeo will become future ambassadors of the sport.
The Horsemanship portion of the pageant takes place Friday, April 10, at 5 p.m. at the Fred Grand Arena. The event is open to the public.
On Saturday, April 11, the Speeches and Coronation portion of the pageant takes place at 4 p.m. at Olive Peirce Middle School. The event will feature concessions and raffle prizes. Tickets are $5 cash at the door.
“The Rodeo Queen court act as ambassadors of the sport of rodeo,” said Sandra Sevilla, pageant director. “They help educate the public and bridge the gap between rodeo competitors and young spectators.”
The pageant aligns with state and national standards, while guided by the mission and values of the Ramona Rodeo Foundation, Sevilla said.
“The categories being tested are designed to reflect not only the skill and preparation, but poise, authenticity and the ability to represent our Rodeo and the community with professionalism,” she said.
The Ramona Rodeo Queen Committee: from left, Brielle
Rainney, Janina Randow, Sandra Sevilla, Jess Koehler and Charlie Koehler. (Courtesy Ramona Rodeo Queen Pageant)
On Saturday night, judges will be looking for contestants who display confidence and grace on stage with their speech, impromptu questions and formal western dress, she said.
The contestants must also display strong leadership skills, attention to detail and time management.
To prepare for the competition, the women have attended required weekly meetings since the end of January, covering clothing, appearance, public speaking and other skills.
Contestants don’t have to be from Ramona, but they must be able to attend all the required events.
Incoming 2026 royalty will replace the outgoing 2025 court — Rodeo Queen Nicole Bell, Junior Queen Emilie Hudson and Young Miss Macy Mault.
The Young Miss category is for ages 11 to 13, the Jr. Queen is for ages 14 to 17 and the Rodeo Queen is for ages 18 to 24.
Competing for Rodeo Queen are Stella Erb, Mia Lopez and Aydria Mascarenas.
Erb, 17, the daughter of Emily and Norm Erb, is a junior at El Capitan High School.
Erb is a member of the California Junior Rodeo Association and the Lakeside Roping Club. She is presently focused on team roping, trail rides and giving back to the community as a rodeo queen for the past seven years, she said.
A sophomore at Palomar College in San Marco, 19-year-old Lopez is the daughter of Monica Lopez.
Mia Lopez belongs to the America Quarter Horse Association, the West Coast Ranch Horse of Temecula and the Pala Band of Mission Indians Equestrian Program. She competes in reining and ranch riding, donates her time assisting children in riding lessons and barn safety and enjoys trail riding with her friends.
Mascarenas, the daughter of Michelle and Tyrone Mascarenas, is a 22-year-old resident of El Centro, and works at Peri & Sons Farms as an administrative assistant.
Mascarenas does ranch sorting with multiple organizations in both Imperial and San Diego counties, and trail riding for fun.
Junior Queen contestants are Kaylee Day, Jessie James and Olivia Scepurek.
Kaylee, a 16-year-old sophomore at Ramona High, is the daughter of Krystyn and Mike Wallace.
Kaylee does rodeo events, Western riding and trail, both competitively and for fun.
A 17-year-old junior at El Capitan High School in Lakeside, Jessie is the daughter of Jessica Morgan, Armando James and Brian Franke as an added father figure.
Jessie is a member of Los Senderos and is Junior Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Royalty. She does competitive barrel racing, gymkhanas and ranch sorting at Pilsbury Ranch and Camp Lockett, as well as recreational trail riding.
The daughter of Crystal Kazenske, Olivia, 15, is a ninth-grader at Ramona High.
Crystal is a member of C Bar S Ranch, and team ropes and occasionally jumps for fun.
Young Miss contestants are Sidney Lynch, Savannah Schuler and Carrie Vincent.
A fifth-grader at Ramona Community Montessori School, Sidney, 10, is the daughter of Casey and Tiffany Lynch.
Sidney belongs to the Casey Tibbs Western Riders. She competes in the Casey Tibbs Western Riders Gymkhanas and does trail riding.
The daughter of Meredith and David Schular, Savannah, 12, is a sixth-grader at James Dukes Elementary School.
Savannah is a member of the Ramona Vicente Pony Club and the California Bridle Horse Association. She competes in ranch riding and local gymkhanas, and attends cattle working clinics.
Thirteen-year-old Carrie is a seventh-grader at Olive Peirce Middle School. The daughter of Chris and Taylor Vincent, she belongs to the Ramona Stars 4-H Horse Group.
Carrie rides Western, and is currently training in barrel racing, with the goal of competing in the California Junior Rodeo Association in both barrels and breakaway roping, as well as this year’s Casey Tibbs Gymkhanas.
For more information, visit: https://ramonarodeo.com/rodeo-queen-pageant/.
Questions can be emailed to: pageant@ramonarodeo.com.