Horse show and rodeo wraps its 75th year
The dust had not settled on the 75th San Benito County Saddle
Horse Show and Rodeo last Sunday before the verdict was in: the
diamond jubilee edition was one for the books.
Attendance was up, new events were well received, the weather
cooperated and there were no significant mishaps.
Horse show and rodeo wraps its 75th year
The dust had not settled on the 75th San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo last Sunday before the verdict was in: the diamond jubilee edition was one for the books.
Attendance was up, new events were well received, the weather cooperated and there were no significant mishaps.
Top honors went to Alex Naccarato Jr. for the arena all-around award and Tina Mansmith for track all-around. Mansmith was also the 2007 winner and Naccarato has collected more than his share of trophy buckles in the past as well.
The three-day exhibition of San Benito County’s Western traditions is a chance for families to reunite with friends they may see only once a year. It’s also a chance to vicariously experience something that exists no place else.
Participants in the rodeo must either live on or own land in San Benito County. They’re not the performers seen on the professional circuit, but working cowboys, realtors, business people and tradesmen. Then there are the events. Figure 8 roping showcases a skill almost never seen outside of San Benito County.
Riders catch a running steer by throwing a large loop over its head with a twist that causes the loop to cross over the animal’s chest before catching its forelegs to bring it to an abrupt stop.
The pace of the event is brisk, with events going on simultaneously on the track and in the arena for much of each day’s competition.
Several new events appeared popular.
“They liked the cowboy bronc riding,” said Ann Hodges-Strickland, one of the volunteers wrapping things up on Monday. “But what I heard the most raves about was the wild cow milking with three guys.”
Traditionally, the wild cow milking competition began with a mounted rider roping a wild cow fresh off the range. Once the rider dismounted and had the cow under control, a teammate would try to squeeze enough milk into a bottle so that a few drops might be poured out after a sprint to a waiting judge.
This year, three contestants were given a rope with a cow at the other end and a charge to get the milking done.
Double cow mugging also debuted, requiring a rider to rope a cow and with the help of a teammate to upend it and tie three of its legs off.
There’s already talk about adding more racing events to next year’s edition, Hodges-Strickland said. “And we’re always looking for sponsors.”
Last year, some 1,000 seats went unsold. This year, attendance peaked on Saturday, when only 101 seats remained empty. Hodges-Strickland attributed that to the barbecue dinner that’s available that night. Some 800 dinners were sold this year.
The event offered diversions for people whose interest in livestock is perhaps more passing. Throngs of kids threw themselves around a bounce house and shoppers packed a tent filled with Western art, tack and assorted items. Members of Hollister Rotary Club kept everyone fed in what is the organization’s major annual fundraiser.
