Plenty of fun for everyone at Bolado Park Fairgrounds
Hollister – It’s the end of June and that can mean only one thing: It’s time for the 72nd annual Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
There will be plenty of thrills and spills on display this weekend at the Bolado Park Fairgrounds as area cowboys and cowgirls showcase their talents on the track and in the arena in 22 different events.
All of the usual crowd favorites return for this year’s show. In family Dally Team Roping, a cattle-roping event that pairs a man and a woman from the same family out in the arena at working together, the duo of Judy and John Wiersma will look to repeat last year’s first-place performance.
In another popular event, the Circular Track Race, last year’s winner Danny Cardoza will look for a second-straight win against a field of competitors that includes Keith Burkett, Ray Wood and Jeana Nelson.
“Everybody loves the circular-track races,” said Ann Strickland, office manager for the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association. “It’s always pretty exciting.”
The show will feature rodeo announcer Eddie Kutz, a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys’ Association and a future Hall of Famer. Also on the entertainment lineup for this year’s rodeo is rodeo clown and Barrelman Dale Woodard, whose career in rodeo is now in its 50th year.
For those who find themselves in need of a break in the action, the Saddle Horse Association Musuem will be open outside the south end of the grandstand. On display in the museum are numerous memorabilia items from San Benito County’s legendary cowboys and cowgirls.
There’s also plenty for the kids to do. The north end of the grandstand will feature a face-painting booth as well as a bounce house.
The Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo begins its first full day of action today at 1:30 with a parade, followed by competition on the track as well as in the arena, beginning at 2pm.
