www.montereycountynow.com JULY 16-22, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 19 “I like the interaction,” he says. “When I was a kid, I said I wanted to share this all over the world. I had a mission to share these skills and call it a job.” A charro is a cowboy, but so much more. There is a look—tailor-made outfits, groomed horses—and a style of riding that is refined to the point where horse and cowboy act as one. Moreover, the rope work (floreo de reata) is demanding. Garcilazo selects the lariat, or lasso, for a particular show with respect to heat, humidity, time of day and the setting. Some ropes are better suited for an indoor event. Garcilazo does not perform mere tricks with the rope. He and his horse are artists in the arena. There is an elegance to the movement, and the charro uses the rope as a form of expression. His performance is authentic to tradition. But his career path was rather unusual. For years, Garcilazo competed in Mexican roping events. So he was already an accomplished charro when Linda Ronstadt discovered a talent for mariachi. Her 1987 album Canciones de Mi Padre earned a Grammy. In 1992, he joined her tour supporting a follow-up album, Frenesí, performing onstage while Ronstadt sang. That led to a part in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Will Rogers Follies. “I had two lines,” Garcilazo recalls. “That was a challenge for me—and with my accent. But people loved it.” He toured with the play for three years and credits the experience for improving his presence with audiences, as well as honing his sense of performance. A 1994 review in the Hartford Courant singles out Garcilazo’s roping display in the second act as “hypnotic,” adding that the horseman “seems as modest as [star Mac] Davis pretends to be.” Garcilazo admits to being shy at the time. After taking a bow following his first show, he quickly left the stage. The director turned him back with a reminder that actors should share the appreciation. “You have to connect with the crowd—the music and the excitement,” he says. “It’s learning how to present yourself.” Following the success of The Will Rogers Follies, Garcilazo took his charro act to Europe. He traveled with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and was one of the stars of Disney’s Wild West Show during a two-year run in Paris. While in France, Garcilazo met his wife, Justine, who shares his respect for animals and now manages the family business. He would perform at horse shows in his spare time and noticed her at one event. The next time he spotted her on horseback, Garcilazo’s rope missed its target—“accidentally”— catching her instead. But he also got the break he had always wanted. One evening a visiting American saw the show and was so taken by Garcilazo’s skills that he asked if the charro would be interested in a gig. Shawn Davis happened to be general manager of the National Finals Rodeo. “And here I am,” Garcilazo says with a chuckle. The family spends a lot of time on the road. Justine joins Garcilazo in the arena and their 11-year-old son Louis has already played to the Las Vegas crowd three times. For the Salinas appearance, 3-yearold Ulysse also has a role—although it’s not his first rodeo. “He steals the show,” Garcilazo says. “People love it.” Their involvement is important. When he toured with the musical, Garcilazo was on stage for up to eight shows a week. And he has remained on the road ever since, becoming an American citizen, moving first to California and then to Texas, but has always been called to rodeos. That means homeschooling for Louis and his 5-year-old brother Gaspar. But, Garcilazo explains, “This way I don’t miss them growing up.” Now almost 60, Garcilazo admits he is aging. But he says La Charrería and the dirt of the arena never gets old. So when he rides before the Salinas crowd, it’s where he always wanted to be—even when he was in the Broadway spotlight. “I never quit thinking about it,” Garcilazo says of rodeos. “But it didn’t happen that way. The road took me elsewhere.” CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour 7-9:30pm Wednesday, July 15 The top professional bull riders meet the toughest animals. $41-$71 Rodeo 6-10pm Thursday, July 16-Friday, July 17 1:10-5:30pm Saturday, July 18-Sunday, July 19 Features professional saddle bronc, cutting, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and free-style bullfighting. Other entertainment includes trick rope artist Tomás Garcilazo, rodeo clowns, stick horse racing and mutton busting. $26-$40 Carnival 3-11pm Thursday, July 16-Sunday, July 19 All of the classic rides and treats offer carnival fun for all ages. $5 entry; $40 unlimited rides Horse Parade 3-4:30pm Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17 11:30am-1pm Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 Line up along the two routes to watch a long tradition featuring various riding groups and styles on two 4.5-mile routes ending at the Rodeo Grounds. Thursday and Friday riders start at East Alisal and Towt streets, then travel north on Sherwood Drive; the Saturday and Sunday route starts on South Main Street at Romie Lane then heads north through downtown. Free to view Daily Attractions Events also include horse shows, a Kids Corral with games and activities, the Heritage Museum, a midway and indoor mall, as well as bars and live music. Salinas Sports Complex 1034 N. Main St., Salinas (800) 549-4989, carodeo.com Famed charro Tomás Garcilazo brings his ‘hypnotic’ reata skills to Salinas. By Dave Faries STEVE GRAY
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