SALINAS VALLEY – Monterey County School Chair Carly Hammond was crowned Miss Salinas Valley Fair 2022 after competing with another girl in areas such as personality, scholastic ability, balance and horseback riding.

The annual competition was held at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City on April 8.

Hammond, an 18-year-old teenager from Salinas, was selected by judges to represent next year’s fair. In addition to the coronation, she was awarded a $ 2,000 scholarship, a sterling silver belt buckle and other prizes donated by local businesses.

Hammond had loved horses since childhood and wanted nothing more than her own horse. Her mother enrolled her in lessons before Cecilia Coulson, and from there she hooked up. She has continued to ride for the past 13 years with Colson, to whom she attributes all her driving skills.

While Hammond’s skills continued to develop, she acquired her horse, Vegas, with the money she earned from selling her livestock at a fair in the Salinas Valley. She continued to work hard to finish training her horse.

“Carly hopes her hard work will pay off, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her and Vegas,” said Lauren Hamilton, interim CEO of Salinas Valley Fair.

Growth in the Salinas Valley sparked Hammond’s interest in the livestock industry. At age 11, she joined Spring 4-H and raised pigs, goats and bulls. Hamand said she enjoys spending free time with her pet and “making sure they are in good care.”

While working at Spring 4-H, Hammond held several officer positions, her favorite being the president because she felt it gave her “leadership skills, confidence” and helped her be “more outgoing”. Other positions she held were treasurer, service secretary and military sergeant.

Currently, Hammond is again acting treasurer of his club this year.

“Joining 4-H has helped Carly develop important leadership skills and show her the intricacies of the livestock industry,” Hamilton said.

Next year, Hammond plans to work with his mother in agricultural sales. In the fall of 2024, she plans to move to Boise, Idaho, and enroll at Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School.

Hammond loves the community in which he grew up, but wants to branch out and experience new places. She said she was “forever grateful and indebted to the Salinas Valley” and those she met here.

Hammond is looking forward to the Salinas Valley Fair every year because she can see all her friends from different counties and even make new friends. The fair is the place where she made her “most pleasant memories”, Hamand said, and the fair week is her favorite time of the year.

“Most importantly, she is always happy to exhibit her animal and see how her hard work pays off,” Hamilton said.

This year, Hammond is exhibiting a purebred black Angus bull nicknamed Harry. She said she has worked very hard with this bull, especially considering that this is her last fair in the Salinas Valley.

Hammond hopes to make it her “most memorable and special experience at the fairs”.

The Salinas Valley Fair 2022 is scheduled for May 12-15 at the Fairgrounds in King City.