They came, they rode, they conquered.
The 75th annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show
&
amp; Rodeo hit Bolado Park over the weekend, and when the dust
cleared, the biggest winners were the 7,500 spectators that showed
up to catch the action.
Also with this story, a video of photo gallery.
They came, they rode, they conquered.
The 75th annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo hit Bolado Park over the weekend, and when the dust cleared, the biggest winners were the 7,500 spectators that showed up to catch the action.
“We had a fantastic turnout, great weather and, all around, a great show,” said Saddle Horse President Mike O’Connell. “I think we had fantastic stock this year. The bucking horses were great, the barbecue was a really good social event and in the end, it was just a good time had by all.”
It was in 1933 when the first horses bucked and the first ropes flew at the rodeo. Now, three-quarters of a century later, the players have changed but the game remains the same.
Dozens of competitions took place from the iconic bull riding event to wild cow milking, the cowhide race, classic horse racing and team roping. The competitors were intent on winning, but behind the gates they shared equipment, gave one another tips and found a way to poke fun at nearly every cowboy and cowgirl who saddled up for the contest.
Ronnie Barnes won the bull-riding event, taking home a cash prize and a silver belt buckle. Still excited after his ride, the 15-year veteran rider said he already had the belt picked out to put his new buckle on.
“The bull was real trashy in the chute,” he said. “But you just get your foot down on him and him and hold on. He’s a mean son-of-a-(expletive).”
Joe Cousins, the oldest bull rider at the rodeo and suffering from a broken leg going into his event, made his planned final ride on Friday – and he paid the price. After getting bucked off a few seconds into his ride, he was trampled by the bull and suffered four broken ribs.
“It was like being in a shark tank,” Cousins said. “I just remember those big, white eyes staring down at me while he dug his head into my side.”
Carrying on a family tradition, Alex Naccarato Jr. won the “All Around” prize by winning several events, including the Wild Horse Race and Bulldoggin’ contests. His victory comes 25 years after his father, Alex Naccarato Sr., won the all around at the 50th rodeo.
“This was definitely a special win – I know my dad was excited,” Naccarato said. “It’s hard to win out here – a lot of tough cowboys come out and you gotta have a little luck.”
Big entertainment came in small packages when 3-foot-tall rodeo clown Charlie Too Tall West and his miniature horse Moonie performed for the crowd. West also worked to distract bulls away from the cowboys after they were bucked off. He said a job like his is “no 9-to-5.”
“I had a bull smack me today, but it’s all in a day’s work,” he said. “This rodeo is great – the ranching tradition goes way back, and the community really comes out to support it.”
About 7,500 visitors young and old packed the grandstands for this year’s events – 1,500 more people than the 2007 rodeo.
Mike Fernandez drove from Morgan Hill to catch the action and see a friend compete.
“This is a smaller event than some other rodeos, but I thinks it’s great,” Fernandez said. “The food was good, and it’s just a great family atmosphere.”
Shelly Baldwin of Hollister came to see her identical twin sons Chris and Russ Baldwin ride bulls. Her 3-year-old granddaughter Gracie was all smiles and said she can’t wait for her chance to get up on her sister’s horse “Spatz.”
“They did a great job out here,” she said. “After 75 years, they seem to know what they’re doing.”
