20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 20-26, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com Rodeo comes at you quick. Each rider or team’s turn lasts only a few thunderous, heart-pounding seconds. And suddenly, another cowboy or cowgirl is tearing dust from the arena. California Rodeo Salinas brings the nation’s best to the Salinas Sports Complex—PRCA bull riders, barrel racers competing for the WPRA’s Playoff Series title, as well as saddle bronc riders, tie down ropers, steer wrestlers and more. In other words, there’s a lot to see from the stands. Rodeo is also family fun. In and around the complex there are performances, activities, awards and even scholarships on offer (the rodeo is also a nonprofit that raises funds for local organizations). During intervals—there’s never really a lull in the action—trick rider Jessica Blair Fowlkes will perform. Little Big Town already took the stage, but carnival rides continue to whirl in a colorful blur through July 23. And, of course, Miss California Rodeo Salinas will preside over it all. Yet the sports themselves are hard. There are concerns over the welfare of animals used in the events; some would have rodeos shut down. In this issue, you can learn about some of the action that takes place outside the arena and the people involved. -Dave Faries California Rodeo Salinas Thursday-Sunday, July 20-23. Salinas Sports Complex 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. $12-$47. (800) 549-4989, carodeo.com. 8 Singing cowboy 20 The road to Miss Rodeo 22 Stock yards 24 Rein it in? 36 Food on the range Greenfield’s Rose Escobar, seen here on July 7 during the personality and appearance portion of the contest, was crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas on July 8. Horses have a long career span. They start participating in professional rodeos when they are 5 or 6 years old and can continue into their early 20s. In riding competitions, judges award points to riders and the stock. Each of them provides 50 percent of the score. They evaluate the rider’s balance and control of the bull and bull’s movements and agility. Nik Blaskovich Phil Doyle Phil Doyle The Greatest Show On Dirt—And Off
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