Hollister
– Things change, even venerable traditions like the San Benito
County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
Hollister – Things change, even venerable traditions like the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
County Supervisor Don Marcus, 56, said he’s seen the rodeo evolve over his 20 years on its board of directors. Organizers have rebuilt the stock pens and chutes, created a box-seating area and built a rodeo museum. And as San Benito County continues to grow and develop, the rodeo will need to keep changing, Marcus said.
“The challenge is to continue to entertain the public and create an event that’s exciting, but still maintain the tradition,” he said.
Marcus said it will take young organizers with fresh ideas to face those challenges, which is why he’s retiring as a rodeo director.
But for all his talk of change, Marcus will still be out at Bolado Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Not only has Marcus helped organize the event, but he will also team up with his daughter Dana Hearne to compete as a roping team. Marcus said he’s made it to every saddle horse show and rodeo since age 12.
Mark Wright, 34, also serves on the board, and he said he’s made it to every rodeo “since I was born.”
The San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo stands out because of its beautiful location and history, Wright said.
He added that it’s one of the few remaining rodeos with an event specifically devoted to figure-eight roping, in which competitors create a figure-eight with their rope and tie an animal’s head and front legs.
“It goes back to the old ‘vaquero’ days,” Wright said. “It’s a real art.”
Like Marcus, Wright said the rodeo needs to strike a balance between the past and present. As the core rodeo events remain the same, organizers are trying out new specialty shows. This year, extra entertainment will be provided by the Riata Ranch Cowgirls, a troupe of young women who perform on horseback.
Marcus emphasized that it’s a real San Benito County show. Participants are required to live in or come from the county.
“It’s local cowboys, local cowgirls and also local horses,” he said.
