New events liven up SBC Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo
Long-standing traditions meet up with a few fresh new events as
preparations for the 75th annual San Benito County Saddle Horse
Show and Parade get under way.
Each year this unique event draws cowboys and cowgirls from
throughout the area to witness one of the few remaining traditional
rodeos in the state.
New events liven up SBC Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo
Long-standing traditions meet up with a few fresh new events as preparations for the 75th annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Parade get under way.
Each year this unique event draws cowboys and cowgirls from throughout the area to witness one of the few remaining traditional rodeos in the state.
The rodeo kicks off this weekend with the traditional Miss San Benito Rodeo Contest, which takes place Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Bolado Park Fairgrounds.
The first Saddle Horse Show queen contest was held in 1939, with Jean Medeiros winning the crown. The contest quickly became popular with both participants and attendees, but was halted during World War II (1942-45) and eventually discontinued. In 1991, George Callens, then president of the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, reintroduced the contest.
This year’s contestants are Melanie Abercrombie, LeAnna Ceglia, Tanya Dubrul and Alicia Kimes. Contestants will be judged on horsemanship (40 percent), communication skills (20 percent), appearance and poise (15 percent), presentation (15 percent) and scholarship (10 percent). Horsemanship is judged on a short reining pattern, equitation, flag run, and presentation run, while attire must consist of blue or colored jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, hat, and boots. Communication skills, appearance and poise and presentation judging includes a brief interview. The scholarship portion will be a short quiz based on San Benito County and local Horse Show history.
The duties of Miss San Benito Rodeo include attendance at various events, including the annual publicity dinner, the annual membership barbecue, the parade and the grand entry at the beginning of the show. The winner will also represent the Association throughout the year at the California Rodeo in Salinas, local community functions, the San Benito County Fair, and the Junior Rodeo. The winner will receive sponsorship as Miss San Benito Rodeo at the California Rodeo in the year that she completes her reign as Miss San Benito Rodeo. Runner- ups in the contest will be asked to carry flags for the Downtown Parade and Grand Entry each day of the show.
A new event this year is the Memorial Roping, which will be held Saturday, June 21, beginning at 8 a.m. in the arena at the fairgrounds. This event is dedicated to the memories of Richie Fehlman, Kenny Vierra and Tommy Carreiro. Admission is free. On Sunday, June 22, the Figure-8 Roping eliminations and the Jack Pot Roping event begin at 8 a.m., followed by the Association Barbecue at 1:30 p.m.
The Downtown Rodeo Parade is the official start of the Saddle Horse Show, and this year’s parade will be held on Thursday, June 26 beginning at 6:15 p.m. The parade traditionally features hundreds of local and visiting people, ponies and horses, as well as the past year’s queen (the 2007 Miss San Benito Rodeo Amanda Jacobsen) and the newly crowned queen.
The actual rodeo begins early on Friday, June 27 with class eliminations beginning at 8 a.m. Other events on Friday include a western art and equipment show, the customary wine and cheese reception at 5 p.m. and the annual Elks’ Barbecue at 5 p.m. The rodeo and horse show will begin at 7 p.m.
The weekend’s events include halter horses, stock horse class eliminations, a family barbecue and of course, the traditional rodeo events. Other activities include a kids’ corral at the north grandstand area, admittance to the Association Museum and a show by Charlie “Too Tall” West, a rodeo clown and barrelman.
Singer/songwriter J. Parson, who will perform during the family barbecue planned for Saturday, June 28. Additionally, Parsons will sing original songs each day in front of the grandstands.
Ticket prices range from $7 for adults and $3 for children 11 years of age and younger on Friday to $10 for adults and $3 for children 11 years of age and younger Saturday and Sunday. Tickets may be obtained in advance by printing a pre-order form from the San Benito County Fairgrounds Web site and mailing it to the Saddle Horse Association. Tickets can also be purchased at Rancher’s Feed and Bolado Park. Tickets can be purchased the weekend of the rodeo beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 27. Additional costs will be charged for various barbecues and the wine and cheese reception, but many other events are free.
For more information or to order tickets, go to www.sanbenitocountyfair.com/rodeo.htm.
