Cailee Roper, 23, of Brawley, California was crowned Miss Rodeo California 2024. The pageant took place November 3-4, at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California.
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The Miss Rodeo California Pageant
The competition included the following categories: Horsemanship, speech, personal and horsemanship Interviews, test, raffle ticket sales, photogenic, personality, and appearance. Along with the title of Miss Rodeo California 2024, Cailee was the winner of the written test, personality, appearance and horsemanship categories that count for points. She also won the congeniality and speech categories that do not count toward points. As the newly crowned state rodeo queen Roper received a $6,750 educational scholarship, buckle, saddle, perpetual chaps, perpetual crown, and other various awards provided by our generous sponsors from the western industry. This year’s pageant awarded $8,250 in educational scholarships.
Caillee Roper Miss Rodeo California 2024
Roper is no stranger to state titles as she held the title of Miss California High School Rodeo as well. Starting January 1, 2024, she will have the prestigious opportunity to represent California by traveling the state and nation representing rodeo and the western industry. She will also end her reign while competing in the Miss Rodeo America 2025 Pageant. The Miss Rodeo America Pageant is held in December each year in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pageant Contestants
“This year we were blessed to have three talented contestants compete for the title of Miss Rodeo California 2024. Each young lady brought their A-game, skills, and kind hearts to San Luis Obispo to give it their all. The Miss Rodeo California, Inc. board and I couldn’t be prouder of each one of them. As the pageant director and sponsorship coordinator, I look forward to working with Miss Cailee Roper as she takes the reins as Miss Rodeo California 2024 on January 1, 2024,” says Jessica Schmidt, MRC Pageant Director.
“It was an honor to attend the Miss Rodeo California pageant in a new role, having been a contestant, title holder and committee member in the past,” remarks Brittany [Slaton] Walker, former Miss Rodeo California and judge at this year’s pageant. “The caliber of contestants made me so excited of the future of our program and the western industry. Crowning Cailee Roper MRC 2024 is a proud moment, she will represent our state with grace and I am thrilled to watch as she continues to touch the lives of everyone she meets.”
Caille Roper Says Thank You
“It’s hard to put into words the way it feels to accomplish this lifelong goal of mine, but more than anything I am overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement. It is an incredible honor to bring the Miss Rodeo California crown back to Brawley for the first time since 1997! This was no easy task, and was only made possible by the incredible support of my friends, family, coaches, and community. I am so appreciative of each and every person who rallied around me to help me represent my absolute best self in San Luis Obispo. I cannot wait for the year ahead! California, let’s ride!” Cailee Roper, Miss Rodeo California 2024.
Cailee Roper’s Biography
Nestled in the southeast corner of California’s desert is the agricultural community of Brawley, where Cailee Roper and her family proudly call home. Growing up, Cailee was an avid dancer and a cheerleader, but her greatest enjoyment was time spent with horses. Her riding career began at seven-years-old in the show arena, she then made the switch to rodeo while she was in middle school. Cailee has a heart for agriculture education; she serves her community as a 4-H leader and is an active member of the Imperial Valley Chapter of California Women for Agriculture. A 23-year-old recent graduate of Montana State University, Cailee has just begun her professional career in Marketing Research. She is excited to utilize her education to further promote the rodeo industry across California and the United States. As the second oldest of Charles and Kari Roper’s five children, Cailee has always aspired to be a positive role model for those around her. She is honored to have the opportunity to inspire the future generation of rodeo queens as Miss Rodeo California 2024.
About Miss Rodeo California
Miss Rodeo California is a young lady who strives to promote the State of California and the sport of professional rodeo. In doing so she also endeavors to promote the great western way of life with its strong morals and values. Miss Rodeo California will be a talented, personable horsewoman with a vast knowledge of the sport of rodeo, the equine industry, and the State of California. She is a young lady who enjoys travel and has a sincere interest in garnering educational experiences that will assist in laying a solid foundation for her future. As an ambassador to the sport, Miss Rodeo California promotes the western way of life and professional rodeo. She is well versed on the sport of rodeo, horsemanship skills, has a wonderful personality and is an excellent speaker.
Cover photo credit: Libby Wendt Photography
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Miss Rodeo California 2024 Sponsors:
Ariat
Arrowhead Now
Ashley Corkery
Baja Jerky
Bear Saddle Ranch
Bex Sunglasses
Boot Barn
Brittany Walker
Buck Wild Wild Rags
Cindy Cayford
Circle Y Saddles
City of San Luis Obispo
Colors of a Cowgirl
Dan Post Boots
Empire Leather Company
Friends of Ellen Kleinbeck
Haute & Polished Cowgirl
Jackie Scarry
Kittie K Ranch & Co
Libby Wendt Photography
L.L. Threads Custom Embroidery
Madonna Inn
Markie Battaglia
Melloworks
Montana Silversmith
Morgan Easel
Mountain Valley Ranch
Nutrena
Professional Choice
Rachel Fail Custom Tack
Rain Dance Designs
Rhinestone Lipgloss Earrings
Rockin’ Spur Boutique
Ropes Galore
Rowdy Silver
Rusty Roan
Skyline Silversmith
Sweetlove Designs
The Branded Vaquero
The Cowlot
The DeGrace Family
The Hensley Family
The Nuckols Family
The Scarry Family
The Schmidt Family
Western Reflection Originals