PASO ROBLES — Mackenzie Cayford, Miss Rodeo Lakeside, was crowned Miss Rodeo California Oct. 6 at the Paso Robles Inn in Paso Robles. The Valley Center resident is the daughter of Bob and Cindy Cayford.

In addition to the crown, Mackenzie received a Circle Y trophy saddle, a Skyline Silversmiths trophy buckle, a horse trailer from Golden West Trailer Sales, Best Ever Saddle Pad, Dan Post Boots, Vogt silver watch and earrings, Platinum Performance products, a $4000 scholarship, and many more prizes. Judging the event were Kiki Shumway from Paso, Wash., Kelly Baxley from Carrollton, Texas, Rob Smets from Merkel, Texas, and Kendra Santos from Creston.

Cayford won both the Personality and the Appearance categories. Finishing right behind her were first runner-up Sophia Fisher, Miss Rodeo Glennville, who took the Horsemanship award and second runner-up Heather Ross, Miss Rodeo Leona Valley, who won the speech contest as well as the Ellen Kleinbeck Spirit Award. Miss Rodeo Grand National Hollie Kucera was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Julie Hemenway, Miss Rodeo Redding received the Photegenic Award, while Leah Herron succeeded in selling the most raffle tickets prior to the contest.

In a ceremony, Mackenzie was crowned by Brittany Slaton, Miss Rodeo California 2011, who will vye for the Miss Rodeo America title in December during the Wrangler National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, Nev. Facebook users can vote for Slaton in the People’s Choice Awards via the MRA’s facebook page. The coronation will take place at the MGM Grand on Dec. 10.