More about Miss Rodeo California

Ashley Hoffman

Ashley's journey to serving as the first lady of the professional sport of rodeo in the golden state of California began in an unconventional manner. She spent her early years in the manicured suburbs of Boston, and had roamed the world more widely by age twenty than most people travel in a lifetime! She studied native dance for months in the tropical paradise of Tahiti and conditioned horses by racing across the pampas of Argentina. In high school, her science project earned her a trip to the International Science Fair, held not far from what rubble remains of the infamous Berlin Wall. But no matter what exotic vistas she encounters on these far ﬂung travels, she claims that they all pale in comparison to the breathtaking rolling hills of Steinbeck country in Salinas, the place she now calls home.

Growing up in the "Salad Bowl of the World," she was exposed to ranchers and cowboys who taught her that the western way of life extends beyond being accomplished on horseback. Ashley, a true cowgirl, understands the importance of hard work, integrity, passion, and generosity.

These values that she learned early on helped make her dreams a reality. She graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in Political Science. While at Stanford, she served as Captain of the Western Equestrian Team and competed at both the inter-collegiate regional and national levels in Open Reining and Horsemanship. Currently, she is the assistant coach of the team. She enjoys backpacking with her family in the Sierras, gathering and branding cattle, team penning, and playing horseshoes. She is also an avid tennis player and downhill skier. Her future plans include opening up her own practice in land-use law.

As she embarks on an exciting year, traveling to rodeos state- and nation-wide, she would like to thank everyone who has made her experience possible—the Miss Rodeo California committee, sponsors, supporters, her friends, and her family. As Miss Rodeo California, she too will help the next generation achieve their own dreams by promoting rodeo and western values.

"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." - John Wayne