Cattlemen's Days Royalty Tryouts

Cattlemens Days Royalty

2026 Cattlemen’s Days Royalty Program Informational Meeting

Wednesday, July 30th,2025, 5:15 pm 
Located on the Grandstands
Come learn about the program, program changes & ask questions!

2026 Cattlemen’s Days Royalty Tryouts

Sunday, September 14th, 2025, 1:00 pm
Gunnison County Fairgrounds
Start at South End of Grandstands

Exhibitions offered & encouraged- No application needed.
Please contact Sara Dobie if interested 970-275-8985

Royalty Titles Defined

All title holders must live in or have a permanent address in the Gunnison County area or Lake City area.

Cattlemen’s Days Queen- She is no less than 16 years of age and no more than 24 years of age as of January 1st, 2026.

Cattlemen’s Days Princess- She is no less than 12 years of age and no more than 15 years of age as of January 1st, 2026.

Cattlemen’s Days Jr. Miss- She is no less than 8 years of age and no more than 11 years of age as of January 1st, 2026.

The Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo Royalty (Queen, Princess, & Jr. Miss) serve as ambassadors for the Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo & Fair. The Royalty represents Cattlemen’s Days as well as the community with the highest level of poise and integrity. Each lady recognizes the importance of promoting and preserving the Western Heritage in the Gunnison Valley. Cattlemen’s Days is the longest consecutively running Rodeo in Colorado, with this year being the 126th year, thanks to the incredible individuals on the Cattlemen’s Days Committee and those preserving the Western Heritage in the Gunnison Valley.

Please download and read the Royalty Tryout Application Packet and the Code of Conduct before filling out the application. It includes eligibility, requirements, expectations, and information regarding the Royalty Program.

2026 Cattlemen’s Days Royalty Tryout Application Packet (PDF, 161 KB)

2026 Cattlemen’s Days Royalty Handbook & Code of Conduct (PDF, 146 KB)

Questions? Please contact Sara Dobie at royalty@cattlemensdays.com or 970-275-8985.

Itinerary

Draw for Order in each category done evening before & posted

1:00 pm – Huddle for introductions & questions in the South end of Grandstands
1:15 pm – Personal Interviews in Draw Order

  • Queen Contestants
  • Princess Contestants
  • Junior Miss Contestants

2:45-3:00 pm –  Break/Regroup/Change if contestants would like
3:00 pm – Horsemanship

  • 2025 Queen Sets Pattern for Queen Contestants + Showing at end of Pattern where to ride to and chat with judges
  • 2026 Queen Contestants to Follow in Draw Order (done day before & posted)
  • Queen Wave Laps- Following 2025 Queen into Arena
  • (Same Order for Princess & Junior Miss)

4:30 pm – Dinner with impromptu questions

  • Queen + Contestants
  • Princess + Contestants
  • Junior Miss  + Contestants

Tally of results & thank you to judges
Announcement of 2026 Cattlemen’s Days Royalty
Signing of Contracts

Online Royalty Application

Entry Form Deadline: September 1st at Noon

Trying Out For: *
0 / 200

Please email one Professional Letter of Recommendation to Sara Dobie at royalty@cattlemensdays.com.
*Let Sara know if you need help with this. The only limitation of this requirement is that it cannot be a parent. This is a skill that ladies will need to have throughout life, asking for a letter of recommendation, please reach out if you have questions. 


**If you are under the age of 18, a parent must sign consent to participate**

By electronically signing this form, I certify that I have carefully read and agree to all the terms and conditions on this Cattlemen's Days Royalty Tryout form.

I legally validate that I am:

Thank you for your participation. Let’s have some FUN!

2025 Cattlemen's Days

The 2026 schedule will be posted in the spring.

FRI, JUNE 27 - 9:00 AM, 4-H Horse Show

SAT, JUNE 28 - 9:00 AM, District 4-H Horse Show

SUN, JUNE 29 - 9:00 AM, District 4-H Horse Show

JULY 2-6 - Evenings, Carnival at the Fairgrounds

THU, JULY 3 - 4:30 PM, Mini Broncs and Mutton Busting

SAT, JULY 5 - 1:30 PM, Ranch Rodeo

SUN, JULY 6 - 8:00 AM, Open Horse Show

MON, JULY 7 - 5:00 PM, Cattle Drive Event

MON, JULY 7 - 8:30 - 11 AM, General Project Judging & Interviews (Concrete Room)

MON, JULY 7 - 9:00 AM, 4-H Dog Show

MON, JULY 7 - 6:30 PM, General Project Review/Awards (Concrete Room)

MON, JULY 7 - 7:00 PM, Cowboy Poetry and Songs

TUES, JULY 8 - 5:00 PM, Watershed Team Roping & Barrel Racing

WED, JULY 9 - 8:30 AM, 4-H Rabbit & Poultry Show (Rubber Room)

WED, JULY 9 - 9:00 AM, 2nd Annual Cattlemen's Days Golf Tournament

THU, JULY 10 - 9:00 AM, PRCA Rodeo Slack Events

THU, JULY 10 - 10:00 AM, 4-H & FFA Swine Show (Rubber Room)

THU, JULY 10 - 2:30 PM, 4-H & FFA Sheep Show (Rubber Room)

THU, JULY 10 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Golden Circle of Champions Rodeo

THU, JULY 10 - 8:30 PM, Post Rodeo Concert/Dance (5B's)

FRI, JULY 11 - 8:30 AM, 4-H & FFA Goat Show (Rubber Room)

FRI, JULY 11 - 10:30 AM, 4-H & FFA Cattle Show (Rubber Room)

FRI, JULY 11 - 1:30 PM, Round Robin Showmanship (Competition between Showmanship winners of each animal species)

FRI, JULY 11 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Patriot Night Rodeo

FRI, July 11 - 8:30 PM, Post Rodeo Concert/Dance (Ice Rink)

SAT, JULY 12 - 10:00 AM, Cattlemen's Days Parade

SAT, JULY 12 - 12:30 PM, Buyer BBQ (Rubber Room), $20 per person at the door

SAT, JULY 12 - 1:30 PM, Junior Livestock Auction (Rubber Room)

SAT, JULY 12 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy Rodeo

SUN, JULY 13 - 9:00 AM, Cowboy  Church at the Fairgrounds

Cattlemen's Days, June 27th through July 13th, 2025, 126th Annual poster featuring a bucking bronco and rider wearing a red shirt under the Cattlemen's Days sign.

Drop Us a Line

Don't be shy. Let us know if you have any questions!

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