While the lives of professional cowboys and cowgirls are usually
quite hectic
– competing in rodeos from Canada to the state of Texas, all the
while driving from venue to venue – the life of Elliot French is,
well, a different kind of hectic.
By Andrew Matheson Sports editor
Hollister – While the lives of professional cowboys and cowgirls are usually quite hectic – competing in rodeos from Canada to the state of Texas, all the while driving from venue to venue – the life of Elliot French is, well, a different kind of hectic.
A 2003 graduate from San Benito High School, French, 22, is now a senior at Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo. Looking to graduate in the fall, he’s spending his summer attending college classes, as well as in the arena, competing in saddle bronc.
However, the Tres Pinos resident broke his free-hand wrist on July 4 after he was bucked off by a horse at the Folsom Pro Rodeo.
Surprisingly, though, it doesn’t seem to worry him too much. Despite having a screw put in his wrist on Monday, French will compete in saddle bronc at California Rodeo Salinas, which begins today at the Salinas Sports Complex.
French will ride Painted Smile of Western Rodeos Inc., a horse that bucked him off at the regional finals in college this past year, but a horse he likes nonetheless.
“I can pull out anytime,” said French, who will be wearing a cast on his wrist. “I think I’ll get on because he’s a really good horse.”
French got into saddle bronc when he was younger, as his father, Mitt, was a bronc rider and helped him along the way.
“In a big way,” French added. “He helped me out a lot and still does.
“I used to ride colts on our ranch, and I just liked the event — I might as well try it.”
As for bareback?
“It looked too rough for me,” French said.
Bull riding?
“I’m not that crazy,” he added.
Since his decision to compete in saddle bronc, French has been riding off with accolades.
He was named the 2004 rookie of the year in saddle bronc from the California Cowboys Pro Rodeo Association, was a two-time high school state champion in saddle bronc, has won top honors in bronc riding and all-around at the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, and more recently, was a two-time College National Finals Rodeo qualifier at Cal Poly.
He also finished second in saddle bronc in the West Coast Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association at Cal Poly, sitting behind teammate and roommate Ben Londo, and is in the running for the Resistol Rookie of the Year.
At Cal Poly, French is majoring in Animal Science, but he’s looking to see where rodeo takes him.
“I wish I could be doing better, but that’s how it goes. There are a lot of good bronc riders,” French said. “I definitely want to keep rodeoing and see where I can go with it.”
French calls California Rodeo Salinas a “big rodeo…one of the more prestigious rodeos in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association).” He’ll ride Painted Smile on Friday night, and will look to get back into the thick of things after breaking his wrist.
French said he broke his other wrist back in high school after he was bucked off, but returned to bronc riding five weeks later.
“This time,” French said, “I’m pushing it just a little bit.
“But if you’re going for the rookie of the year, you need to get after it and put in for as many (rodeos) as you can.”
While French’s injured wrist will be swinging wildly in the air as the horse bucks, his healthy wrist will still be able to give rein, keeping the rope secure so he doesn’t get bucked off too easily.
“It should be fine. I’m not too worried about it,” the bronc rider said of his wrist. “I’m probably going to break something else before I break it again.”
The 97th California Rodeo Salinas
What: The 97th California Rodeo Salinas, where approximately 800 contestants will compete.
When: The rodeo begins today and Friday at 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 1pm.
Where: The Salinas Sports Complex, located at 1034 North Main Street, Salinas.
Who: According to the rodeo office, locals competing include:
– Melissa Perry, barrel racing, Hollister
– Jeff Rianda, saddle bronc, Tres Pinos
– Sam Swan, saddle bronc, Tres Pinos
– Chad Weaver, steer wrestling, San Martin
– Tona Wright-Andrade, barrel racing, Hollister
– Chad Zgragen, calf roping, Paicines
Stock: Western Rodeos, Inc.; Russell Rodeo Co.; Korkow Rodeos.
Tickets: $7 to $19. Children under 12 free on Thursday and Friday. Call 772-6500 or (800) 549-4989 or log on at: www.carodeo.com
