The SBC Saddle Horse Show combines fun with edge-of-seat
kicks
This weekend San Benito County celebrates one of the staples
that make it unique: the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
Each year this singular event draws cowboys and cowgirls from
throughout the area to witness one of the only remaining
traditional rodeos in the state.
The SBC Saddle Horse Show combines fun with edge-of-seat kicks
This weekend San Benito County celebrates one of the staples that make it unique: the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
Each year this singular event draws cowboys and cowgirls from throughout the area to witness one of the only remaining traditional rodeos in the state.
This year’s rodeo festivities kicked off with the annual Saddle Horse Parade down San Benito Street Thursday night. The parade featured hundreds of local and visiting people, ponies and horses, as well as the 2006 Miss San Benito Rodeo, Alethea Prewett.
Prewett, a long-time cowgirl, has been riding since the age of two and was once the youngest participant in the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo. Since then she’s had the distinction of winning the All-Around Junior award for four years. She is a long-standing member of the 4-H program and is also heavily involved with the Future Farmers of America at San Benito High School.
In addition to the serious events that people have come to expect, there are some additional surprises that should make for a good chuckle.
Try on this year’s merchant event for a chortle or two: goat pantsing. San Benito County businesses will field teams of four attempt to dress a wild goat in the fastest amount of time. The event has been absent in the past few years, but was reintroduced this year in an effort to get more local businesses involved in the rodeo. Merchants also competed in a window-decorating contest downtown during the week leading up to the rodeo.
Another new addition to the rodeo this year is singer/songwriter J. Parson, who will perform before the show. He hails from Bakersfield and will sing original songs each day in front of the grandstands. He is also the featured entertainer at the family barbecue Saturday afternoon.
But many favorite rodeo traditions will remain intact this year, including its host. Emceeing this year’s rodeo is Professional Rodeo Cowboys’ Association lifetime member and longtime San Benito County resident Eddie Kutz.
Kutz, a 10-year touring veteran of the bull- and bronc-riding circuit, found his true calling during his time as a rodeo participant. He has been announcing rodeos since 1981, but his career has since advanced to the point where he logs more than 100 appearances per year between rodeos and monster truck rallies.
And what rodeo is complete without a rodeo clown? Luckily, San Benito will have one of the best.
Dale Woodard is a rodeo clown, barrelman, animal trainer and rodeo contestant. He has spent his entire life as a cowboy and has been a rodeo clown since 1965. He is a three-time nominee for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys’ Association Clown of the Year award.
Whether your taste in rodeos is pantsing goats or hanging on to dangerous bulls, the experience will be uniquely San Benito County.
