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Going into her senior year at Grand Canyon University, where she is studying clinical psychology, 20-year-old Emily Drost has a bright future ahead of her as she works towards becoming a practicing psychiatric nurse in her hometown of Hollister. But she has already achieved one of her dreams: becoming the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Queen.
“I first started competing in the rodeo when I was five years old,” she said, “I couldn’t have told you what events I was competing in but I could tell you who the rodeo queen was. That was something that was very special to me.”
Drost comes from a long tradition of exceptional rodeo riders, beginning with her great-aunt, Lola Galli, who participated in the first San Benito event and was inducted into the California Rodeo’s Hall of Fame in 2010. Drost’s mother, Brooke Drost, said she showed an interest in participating as soon as she could walk and talk.
“Emily would say, ‘Mom, please put me in lessons,’” her mother, Brooke Drost, said. “She was spunky—she wanted to ride and be part of the rodeo world. She rode all the time and fell in love with Bolado Park.”
Emily said it takes a lot of preparation to compete to be queen, studying Saddle Horse Show history, spending six to eight hours a day practicing reining patterns, working on public speaking skills and learning her duties as she assumes the role of Queen.
“The most important thing,” she said, “is being the bridge between the contestants and the spectators and making everybody feel welcome and excited. I want every kid in the stands to feel like they are a part of the event, and I want every kid out there on a horse to feel seen.”
Brooke said that Emily is particularly suited to be that bridge and is perfect for the job.
“She’s got a heart of gold,” she said. “It is magic watching her out there, and it brings tears to my eyes. She’s amazing with kids, loves horses, and loves her community. And, of course, for her, it is a dream come true.”
With a tough college schedule, Emily has not been able to participate since 2017, and returning as Queen has allowed her to reconnect with an event that she loves.
“It’s the camaraderie,” she said. “I love seeing everybody from different walks of life, whether they are horse people or just your neighbor here in town, enjoying our traditions and having a good time right here in San Benito County.”
The first day of the rodeo, June 28, was dedicated to first responders. As she rode out in the opening ceremonies, Emily was carrying her own special tribute to these vital workers, with one in particular on her mind. Her outfit was covered with bejeweled patches from the fire department, the sheriff’s department, emergency medical services and the Red Cross.
“I want to recognize and encourage as many people as possible,” she said. “I want to be the best role model I can be to the future generations just to get them wanting to come out here, hopefully starting a spark in them to get out here and compete.”
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