BEHIND THE CROWN: One-on-one with Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2018

Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2018 Valerie Costanza is paving the way for a new queen.

KION caught up with Costanza at her home in Hollister recently to learn what she does when she’s not representing the rodeo.

For Valerie Costanza, being a rodeo queen is much more than a crown and sequins, it’s a way of life.

“I try to come out here three times a day and just really love her and get her used to me,” said Costanza.

Costanza is talking about her 1-month old filly, Sienna.

Sienna is one of many horses Costanza works with during the week at her Hollister home.

“A typical day for me is I get up and come out here, I feed my horses, give them a couple hours to let that settle and then start riding them. When I’m not here, I get up at 6:30 a.m. and go out to the horse trainer I work at and start feeding and working with all of those horses,” Costanza said.

Costanza has always loved horses and the sport of rodeo. As a queen, she’s able to share that love with others.

“Being a rodeo queen to me means to influence others and spread my knowledge of the rodeo industry and Western traditions that I was raised on,” she said, “Rodeo is not only about the different events the community, who runs the fastest barrel race, it is about our Western heritage and what we all came from and how hard the cowboys and cowgirls have worked throughout generations getting everything set up, for me rodeo is more than just the event its history that goes with it.”

However, part of her role as Miss California Rodeo Salinas includes traveling to different events around our state. It’s an experience that teaches rodeo queens lifelong skills.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot about confidence. I wasn’t always the most confident, I was kind of shy and wasn’t very outgoing. Having this opportunity and traveling constantly and talking to people has really gotten me out of my shell. I have just learned a lot about myself and what I really can accomplish if I try hard,” Costanza said.

“Knowledge, just how to communicate with people, it gives you connections in the world,” said Madison Jones, Clovis Oldtown Kiwanis Queen.

Costanza is setting the example for future queens and contestants.

“I love Miss California Rodeo so much. Valerie has really shown me this year it’s a mix of the past and the present. I kind of call our rodeo the perfect rodeo because it’s where we have a vaquero tradition and PRCA events mixed together,” said Kelsee French, Miss San Benito Rodeo 2018.

“Competing for a queen title is life-changing, no matter if you win or lose. I’ve held two other titles in the past, and so queening is by far one of the best things I’ve ever done. It makes you realize no matter what kind of person you are, you can always have an impact on anyone that walks up to you,” said Miss Gilroy Rodeo 2018 Corissa King.

And Costanza is leaving the girls with one more important lesson: You may not always walk away a winner.

“It took me many tries before I got this title, so I just want to keep everybody so encouraged and know it might take a few tries before it happens, but never to give up,” Costanza said.

French, of Hollister, was Crowned Miss California Rodeo 2019 during Thursday night’s performance. Congratulations Kelsee!