RODEO 30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 17-23, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Salinas’ first rodeo, then called the Wild West Show, took place in 1911. So too did the first of what would become an enduring tradition: A parade of people on horseback who came to watch. Even as the California Rodeo Salinas evolved into a major professional rodeo event, the parade endured as something more humble. Until the Salinas Sports Complex was rebuilt with its current grandstands in 1997, people would ride right up to the perimeter and watch the events, from horseback, through the fence. “Hundreds of people would sit there and watch from the top of their horse,” says Dean Callender. Callender recounts one Soledad man’s story; he used to ride into town along River Road, cross the Salinas River on Highway 68, then go across town to the stadium; he and hundreds of other spectators would ride back to the river bank to camp each night of the rodeo. The construction of the stadium forced a change, but the horse parade endures. For four days, riders can join (at no cost) and receive free entry to the rodeo grounds. They provide a show (also for free) to spectators who can see the 200-plus riders go by on the streets of Salinas. (Record participation was 1,000 horses in 1938.) “It’s quite something to see,” says Callender, who serves as chair of the parade committee—and who has been a member of the committee for 47 years, since he was 12. Callender rarely rides himself; since his family sold their Chualar Canyon ranch in 1990, he hasn’t had his own horse. But the tradition keeps him going. His grandfather and his father served on the parade committee. Now his daughter does too. Judges award trophies and modest cash prizes (up to $100) in 24 categories including group and individual charro riders, drawn vehicle, early American costume and working vaquero, according to California State Horsemen’s Association guidelines. It’s all run by volunteers, with a roughly $3,500 annual budget—mostly prize money—covered by the Rodeo. “It’s a really fun gathering,” Callender says, “not only for the people who watch it, but who participate.” Horse Parades 3-4:30pm Thursday-Friday, July 17-18 start at East Alisal and Towt Street, Salinas. 11:30am-1pm Saturday-Sunday, July 19-20 start at South Main Street and Romie Lane. Both routes end at Salinas Sports Complex. For a map, visit carodeo.com. Free; riders can register in advance online. All Together Now A long-time parade tradition brings the community spirit of rodeo to the streets of Salinas. By Sara Rubin The horse parade follows two different 4.5-mile routes through the streets. Two days (just for fun) start in East Salinas, and two days (with judging) start in South Salinas. A year ago at the California Rodeo Salinas, Cole Franks’ first round ride in bareback edged Brayze Schill’s mark in the finals by a mere one point. The battle was equally close between Trevor Reiste and Jeter Lawrence on the bulls. And just a fraction of a second separated Marty Yates, Ty Harris and Gator Goodrich in tie down roping. Competition is tight on the PRCA and WRCA circuits, to say the least. Indeed, at the 2024 edition of the century-old event, the top team ropers could not put any daylight between them. In the second round, Cody Cowden and Preston Burgess brought their steer to a stop in 8.4 seconds. When Aaron Tsinigine and Dennison Boone rode to best that time in the final go, the clock stopped at 8.4. While those who oppose rodeo for its use of animals for sport, fans are locked into contests claimed by a point here or a tenth of a second there—and where in some categories the performance of the animals comes under equal scrutiny as that of the cowboys and cowgirls. The rodeo consists of roughstock events—bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding—and timed events. The latter include tie down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, along with women’s barrel racing and breakaway roping. Everything happens quickly. Last year, a mere seven-hundredths of a second separated the quick runs of Sharin Hall, Tiany Schuster and Shelby Bates on the barrel course. Time is a factor in roughstock events, as well. In all three, cowboys must remain on their wildly bucking mounts for eight seconds for the ride to stand. Judges then assess the technical and style qualities of the cowboy’s work, as well as the aggressiveness of the animal. Fans also appreciate the risk taken by the athletes—financially, rather than physically. Sponsorship helps, but competitors pay an entry fee to participate in events. And it is quite possible to leave a rodeo empty-handed. In the 2024 saddle bronc category, Wyatt Casper’s leading two-ride aggregate score bulged his wallet by $6,244. Lefty Holman finished eighth, worth $624. Salinas can be fickle. In some events, cowboys have just one chance to advance to the final round. But for fans, there is a lot to follow. California Rodeo Salinas takes place 6:30pm Thursday-Friday, July 17-18; 2pm Saturday-Sunday, July 19-20. Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. $26-$40. (800) 549-4989, carodeo.com. Fast Times Only fractions of seconds or scant points separate winners from the rest at the rodeo. By Dave Faries A cowboy struggles to hang on while keeping one arm clear of the horse (as required) during the bareback riding competition. PHIL DOYLE MAG ONE MEDIA
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