Cristina Balestreri is a 26 year old born in Monterey, California to parents who are both Monterey County Natives. During her childhood, her parents and three brothers moved to the Salinas Valley where she graduated from Salinas High School in 2015. She was part of FFA her senior year and raised a pig for the Salinas Valley Fair. After graduating, she continued to work part time and in church ministry until attending Hartnell College to study Agriculture Business. In hopes of finding a career in agriculture, she began working in the wine industry, sparking her interest to continue her education in Agriculture Business and further her career in agriculture sales for a local company in Salinas.

Although she has spend most of her childhood outdoors, she did not grow up around horses or live a western lifestyle. She has loved being a supporter of the California Rodeo Salinas as a spectator and riding horses at C4 Stables for the past five years. Cristina has had the opportunity to work on a local cattle ranch where she has learned so much about ranching. From gathering cattle, tagging fresh calves, and brandings in the winter, she has had many lessons in horsemanship, roping, working cattle, and working with others in various environments. Her favorite thing about the western way of life is how willing those around you want to help. She cannot wait to keep learning and helping those in agriculture. Being Miss King City Stampede has allowed Cristina to continue being involved in the agriculture industry and allowed her to be an example to other young women who want to compete - that regardless of background, growing up in rodeos or not, you can be part of the western way of life if you are passionate.