2026 Lil' Miss Cowgirl

The Lil' Miss Cowgirl Contest will be held during the 2026 Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show in the Frances R. Cooper Event Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Contestants must arrive no later than 6:00 p.m. in full costume for the contest. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of contestant. Please no jeweled headbands, tiaras or hats. The full list of rules for the 2026 Lil' Miss Cowgirl Contest application are provided below.

Entries will open on November 1, 2025 & deadline for entry is Monday, January 15, 2025, or until all age group spots are filled.

Contestant Info

Rules & Requirements

Contestants must arrive no later than 6:00 p.m. that evening and be dressed for the contest. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of contestant. Absolutely NO jeweled headbands, tiaras or hats are allowed.
A contestant must be a resident of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, or Willacy counties.
Contestants will be divided into two groups for judging: 5-6 Yr Old Division & 7-8 Yr Old Division. Contestants age will be based on date of event. Contestants will be limited to 30 in each age Division.
Contestants MUST wear western attire.
Contestants will be judged on personality, stage presence, and attire.
A $25 non-refundable entry fee must be paid with entry by the deadline.
Awards will be given to all contestants who participate in the contest. The winner in each age group will receive a belt buckle, sash, and trophy. A trophy and sash will also be awarded to 1st and 2nd places.
Deadline for entries is January 15, 2026, or until age groups entry limits are met. Entries are on a first-come-first-served basis.
Contestants will be mailed 2 single day gate admission passes to the Livestock Show event, one for the contestant and one for a parent or guardian.
The pageant is open to a public.
Parents/Guardians will not be permitted on stage or in contestants seating area. Violation of this rule by parents will result in disqualification of their child/contestant.
Any contestant who leaves before the contest is over will be disqualified.
The Lil' Miss Cowgirl may be asked to perform certain duties during the 2026 Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

RGVLS Lil' Miss Cowgirl Contest

The 2026 RGVLS Lil' Miss Cowgirl contest requires the the application/registration information provided below. There is a maximum of 30 contestants in each age division. There are two age divisions: 5-6 yr old Division & 7-8 yr old Division. The information provided here must be completed by a parent/guardian.

PARTICIPANT RELEASE AND INDEMNITY

EVENT: 2026 RGVLS Lil' Miss Cowgirl Contest

EXCULPATORY CLAUSE. IN CONSIDERATION FOR RECEIVING PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY AND ALL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO (“ACTIVITY”), WHICH IS SPONSORED BY RIO GRANDE VALLEY LIVESTOCK SHOW, INC., (“SPONSOR”), ON BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPANT, I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, COVENANT NOT TO SUE, AND AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS FOR ANY AND ALL PURPOSES SPONSOR, INCLUDING THEIR DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, OFFICERS, AGENTS, VOLUNTEERS, AND EMPLOYEES (HEREIN COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS “RELEASEES” OR “INDEMNITEES”) FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, INJURIES (INCLUDING DEATH), OR DAMAGES, INCLUDING COURT COSTS AND ATTORNEY’S FEES AND EXPENSES, THAT MAY BE SUSTAINED BY ME/PARTICIPANT WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AN ACTIVITY, WHILE TRAVELING TO AND FROM THE ACTIVITY, OR WHILE ON THE PREMISES OWNED, LEASED, OR CONTROLLED BY RELEASEES, INCLUDING INJURIES SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE SOLE, JOINT, OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, NEGLIGENCE PER SE, STATUTORY FAULT, INTENTIONAL TORTS, OR STRICT LIABILITY OF RELEASEES.
INDEMNITY CLAUSE. I am fully aware that there are inherent risks to me/Participant, and others involved with the Activity, and I voluntarily allow myself/Participant to participate in this Activity with full knowledge that the Activity may be hazardous to me/Participant and my/Participant’s property, and to the person and property of others. I acknowledge there may be physically strenuous activities. I know of no medical reason why I/Participant should not participate. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitees from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, injuries (including death), or damages, including court costs and attorney’s fees and expenses, which may be incurred as a result of my/Participant’s conduct in any Activity, including injuries sustained as a result of the sole, joint, or concurrent negligence, gross negligence, negligence per se, statutory fault, intentional torts, or strict liability of Indemnitees.
INDEMNITY FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES and WAIVER. I understand Releasees cannot be expected to control all of the risks associated with this Activity and Releasees may need to respond to accidents and potential emergency situations. Therefore, I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitees for any costs incurred to treat me/Participant. I further agree to release, waive, covenant not to sue, and agree to hold harmless for any and all purposes, Releasees from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, injuries (including death), or damages, including court costs and attorney’s fees and expenses, that may be sustained by me/Participant while receiving medical care or in deciding to seek medical care including injuries sustained as a result of the sole, joint, or concurrent negligence, negligence per se, gross negligence, statutory fault, intentional torts, or strict liability of Releasees.
NO STRICT RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. In the event of a dispute over the meaning or application of this agreement, it shall be construed fairly and reasonably and neither more strongly for nor against either party.
VOLUNTARY SIGNATURE. In signing this agreement, I acknowledge and represent that I have read it, understand it, and sign it voluntarily as my own free act and deed; Releasees have not made, and I have not relied on any oral representations, statements, or inducements apart from the terms contained in this agreement. I execute this document for full, adequate, and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by the same, now and in the future. I understand I can choose not to sign this document and free myself from its terms and the associated risks of the Activity by simply not allowing myself/Participant in the Activity and choosing some other Activity available to me/Participant that has a lower level of risk to me. I further understand this is a voluntary, extracurricular activity.

Contestant Info

First Name

Last Name

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Country

Postal Code

Phone Number

Contestant Date of Birth

Contestant Age

Age as of Mar 12, 2026

Age Division

Age as of Mar 12, 2026

Contestant Bio

300 characters or less

Lil' Miss Cowgirl Registration Fee

Select "QTY 1" for correct age division.

Lil' Miss Cowgirl (5-6 yr old)

Registration fee only.

LM-Lil' Miss Cowgirl $25.00 This is a registration only. This is not valid for Gate Admission.

Lil' Miss Cowgirl (7-8 yr old)

Registration fee only.

LM-Lil' Miss Cowgirl $25.00 This is a registration only. This is not valid for Gate Admission.

Parent/Guardian Info

Parent or Guardian Full Name

Parent or Guardian Contact Phone

Parent or Guardian Email Address

PARTICIPANT'S RELEASE & INDEMNITY
I have read the above and AGREE to terms. *

eSignature

Full Legal Name of Parent Guardian

Contact Info

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

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