Local competitors shine at the 76th Annual San Benito County
Saddle Horse Show
&
amp; Rodeo over the weekend. Get the breakdown of results in
this story, which includes the latest edition of the San Benito
Score with highlights from the rodeo, along with a full list of
results.
TRES PINOS
For a brief moment, it appeared Hollister’s Kevin Wilkinson may just tie down a victory.
The 21-year-old tie-down roper recorded a 19.20 during Sunday’s go-round at the 76th Annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo at Bolado Park. Coupled with his 19.83 from Saturday’s go, Wilkinson held a two-go lead of 39.03 seconds with only one competitor left, Chad Zgragen of Paicines.
“I could have done better,” Wilkinson said afterward. “But for what I drew and for the situation I was in, I did the best I could do.”
“All I could do was go out there and do my best,” Wilkinson said. “[Zgragen] ropes really well and anything could have happened. He could have missed. He could have been longer than me, or he could done what he did, which was faster than me.”
Zgragen, needing to beat 21.57 seconds in order to claim the tie-down title for a sixth time, had been there before.
“I’ve been in that position,” he said.
“The calf I had today was pretty fast. I didn’t know exactly how much time I had to work with … just go catch him and let the pieces fall where they may.”
After Zgragen’s calf sprinted out in front of him at the start – “I let him go a little bit farther than the barrier, just so I wouldn’t end up with a 10-second penalty,” Zgragen said – the Paicines cowboy closed the gap almost immediately, and tied down his calf in an impressive 14.12 seconds.
Winner of the tie-down competition in 1998, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007 and now 2009, Zgragen trumped Wilkinson’s total time with a 31.58.
“With a lot of wide open spaces (at Bolado Park),” Zgragen said, “the calf can pretty much go anywhere it wants. But I had a young horse, his first rodeo, so this was a learning experience for him.”
Wilkinson, meanwhile, finished runner-up, his best finish in the calf roping event at the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, and with a time of 39.03 that bested D.J. Parker (48.80) and Sid Humphrey (54.78). He later thanked Jim Warren, who provided him with his calf horse.
“For a minute, I thought he may have a little trouble,” said Wilkinson after watching Zgragen’s calf jump out to a sizeable lead. “But that’s where the experience comes in; Chad’s been around a long time and he’s a good roper.
“A top hand like that can make bad runs good in a heartbeat.”
Zgragen was one of the many winners Sunday at Bolado Park, where Bill Caporgno and Sal Agredano tied for all-around honors in the arena, and Kelly Saunders and Bob Pivetti did the same on the track.
Pivetti was tops in the Figure-8 Roping event as well, while Caporgno and Agredano teamed up to take first in both the Wild Cow Milking event (43.78) with partner Bobby Zaucha, as well as the Wild Horse Race (1:17.92) with partner Adrian Gonzalez.
Clay Hubbell was named the junior all-around champion.
Other champions included Sam Swan in saddle bronc, Jonathon Ray Bourbon in bulls, Richie Coefield in bareback and James Dassel in steer wrestling, who recorded a time of 8.78 seconds.
In team roping, Danielle Craig and Lacy Bourdet took top honors with a total two-day time of 22.32, while in family team roping, Dean Bell and Nikki Bell finished first in 9.17 seconds.
Katie Vest, who at this time last year was heading to New Mexico for the National High School Rodeo Association Finals, took home a buckle Sunday after she clocked a two-day total of 35.956 seconds in barrel racing, and beat Tracy Brooks-Mezera (36.065) for the top honor.
“That’s not my good horse. That’s the horse I’m seasoning,” Vest said. “So I’m good with that; that’s my first buckle on him.”
Vest, who recently received her certification in precision agriculture from West Hills College in Coalinga, competed all season in rodeo and was giving her go-to horse a “summer break.” And although she excelled at pole bending when she was in high school, Vest’s second event was always barrel racing, and on Sunday she proved as much.
“I made the team (at West Hills College) all year in rodeo,” Vest said. “I loved it.”
All Around Winners:
Senior All Around Arena – Bill Caporgno and Sal Agredano (tie). Bob Randick Memorial Perpetual, All Around Senior Arena – Bill Caporgno and Sal Agredano (tie). Senior All Around Track – Kelly Saunders and Bob Pivetti (tie). Junior All Around – Clay Hubbell.
Event Champions:
Cattle Sorting – Pat Hagins, D.J. Parker and Billy Aviles, 43.61. Figure 8 Roping – Bob Pivetti. Cowhide Race – Becky Ford and Cindy Jordan, 11.535. Circular Track Race – Amanda Hayes. Pony Express Race – Romaldo Martin Team. Tie-Down Roping – Chad Zgragen, 31.58 (total time for two days). Wild Cow Milking – Billy Caporgno, Sal Agredano and Bobby Zaucha, 43.78. Bull Riding – Jonathon Ray Bourbon. Senior Barrel Race – Katie Vest, 35.956 (total time for two days). Saddle Bronc Riding – Sam Swan. Cowboy Style Bronc Riding – Richie Coefield. Family Dally Team Roping – Dean Bell and Nikki Bell, 9.17. Dally Team Roping – Danielle Craig and Lacy Bourdet, 22.32 (total time for two days). Bull Doggin’ – James Dassel, 8.78 (total time for two days). Wild Horse Race – Adrian Gonzalez, Bill Caporgno and Sal Agredano, 1:17.92. Junior Single Steer Stopping – Craig Slibsager, 12.730 (total time for two days). Junior Barrel Race, 12-15 years – Haley Pezzini, 35.390 (total time for two days). Junior Barrel Race, 6-11 years – Haylie Stelling, 36.348 (total time for two days). Junior Keyhole Race, 12-15 years – Ashley Hartwig, 19.822 (total time for two days). Junior Keyhole Race, 6-11 years – Garrett Bourdet, 22.033 (total time for two days). Mutton Busting – Zachary Shepard, 5.34.
Friday Track Events:
Parade Winners, Junior Cowgirl – Lilla Bell; Junior Cowboy – Levi Mansmith; Senior Cowgirl – Stacey Watson; Senior Cowboy – Larry Sonniksen; Ranch Group – J.W. Brewen Ranch. Best Working Outfit, Girls 12-15 years – 1, Haley Pezzini; 2, Katie Nino; 3, Haley Van Dam; 4, Abbey Allen. Boys 12-15 years – 1, Jack Morris. Circular Track Race – 1, Amanda Hayes; 2, Anothony Pomo; 3, Meghan Murray; 4, Allison Agostini. Junior Western Horsemanship, Girls and Boys 12-15 years – 1, Haley Pezzini on Sonny; 2, Katie Nino on Doc’s Double Two Step; 3, Haley Van Dam on Flipper; 4, Abbey Allen on Shadow. Novice Stockhorse – 1, Wyatt Bourdet on Colonels Gold Penny; 2, Kelly Saunders on Peppys Dual Lite; 3, Justin Fields on Dapper Dan; 4, Jamie Fowles on Leo Tivio Lil. Junior Keyhole Race, Girls and Boys 12-15 years (total time for two days) – 1, Ashley Hartwig, 19.822; 2, Katie Nino, 23.929; 3, Tawne Haynish, 9.291 (one day only); 4, Karli Skow, 9.724 (one day only). Pony Express Race – 1, Romaldo Martin, 1:27.44; 2, Lee Katich, 1:33.26; 3, Marilyn Miller. Junior Reined Stockhorse, Riders 12-15 years – 1, Katie Nino on Doc’s Double Two Step; 2, Grace Tobias on Naturally Destined; 3, Sarah Morris on Annie. Cattle Sorting – 1, Tom Nino, Mike Nino, Mitch Bourdet, 1:14.19; 2, Vern Simmons, Leann Falsey, A.J. Johnson, 1:22.55; 3, Jim Prewett, Michelle Prewett, Alethea Prewett, 1:37.84.
Friday Arena Events:
Bull Riding – 1, Jonathon Ray Bourbon. Junior Barrel Race, Boys and Girls 6-11 years (total time for two days) – 1, Haylie Stelling, 36.348; 2, Kelsee French, 38.006; 3, Blair Brown, 39.098; 4, Bailee Nelson, 42.142. Dally Team Roping – 1, D.J. Parker and Billy Aviles, 7.22; 2, Mike Pivetti and Justin Wood, 8.74; 3, Trace Skow and Jarrod Skow, 9.15; 4, Dina Cabral and Jeff Cabral, 10.08. Junior Ribbon Race, Boys and Girls 6-15 years – 1, Sierra Stelling and Madison Hawkes, 12.24; 2, Casey Mathis and April Flook, 24.744. Cowhide Race – 1, Becky Ford and Cindy Jordan, 11.535; 2, D.J. Parker and Alyssa Abercrombie, 15.005. Cowboy Style Bronc Riding – 1, Richie Coefield; 2, Trent Hansen, Joshua Thompson (tie); 4, Wyatt Bourdet. Mutton Busting – 1, Kadence DiLaura, 2.47; 2, Jake Lima, 2.31; 3, Elizabeth Nino, 2.16; 4, Clay Roberts, 1.25. Tie-Down Roping – 1, Shane Higgins, 23.72; 2, D.J. Parker, 33.55; 3, Cameron Low, 39.82. Bulldoggin’ – 1, Scott Naccarato, 49.76. Wild Cow Milking – 1, Dylan Pierce, Jake Knutson, Ben Gaitan, 1:10.15; 2, Kimberly Lippert, Elizabeth Mackey, Chantelle Lippert, 1:31.06. Junior Single Steer Stopping – 1, Craig Slibsager, 6.58; 2, Brody Sans, 16.47; 3, Cash Robinson, 19.03; 4, Kristen Ceglia, 20.53. Wild Horse Race – 1, Adrian Gonzalez, Bill Caporgno, Sal Agredano, 1:17.92.
Saturday Track Events:
Parade Winners, Junior Cowgirl – Kate Askew; Junior Cowboy – Brenden Nino; Senior Cowgirl – Tracy Nino; Senior Cowboy – Sal Agredano; Ranch Group – Renz Ranch. Best Working Outfit, Girls 8-11 years – 1, Kate Askew; 2, Sarah Nino; 3, Avrie Hubbell; 4, Brooke Shaffer. Best Working Outfit, Boys 8-11 years – 1, Garrett Bourdet; 2, Brenden Nino; 3, Joshua Cutler; 4, Levi Mansmith. Circular Track Race – 1, Meghan Murray; 2, Allison Agostini; 3, Amanda Hayes. Junior Western Horsemanship, 6-11 years – 1, Sarah Nino on Docs; 2, Levi Mansmith on Tejons Miss Remedy; 3, Bailee Nelson on DSL Super Smoke; 4, Kate Askew on Jeff; 5, Blake Fuentes on GBK Echo Bar. Ladies Western Horsemanship – 1, Jamie Fowles; 2, Brittany Gilroy; 3, Shannon Renzp; 4, Allison Renz. Junior Reined Stockhorse, Boys and Girls 6-11 years – 1, Jenna Fields on Burney; 2, Dawson Bell on John Wayne; 3, Bailee Nelson on DSL Super Smoke; 4, Levi Mansmith on Tejons Miss Remedy. Ladies Western Horsemanship over 39 years – 1, Carolyn Renz; 2, Tracy Nino; 3, Joy Law; 4, Sonya Lee; 5, Kim DuPont. Pony Express Race – 1, Romaldo Martin, 1:20.85; 2, Lee Katich, 1:22.37; 3, Marilyn Miller. Ladies Stockhorse Class – 1, Lauri Funk on Jesse; 2, Sonya Lee on Dueling Star; 3, Susan Modic on Honky Tonk. Cattle Sorting – 1, Pat Hagins, D.J. Parker, Billy Aviles, 43.61; 2, Susan Modic, Carlos Castillo, John Flook, 58.70; 3, Richie Coefield, Jeannie Coefield, Dick Coefield, 1:1.13.
Saturday Arena Events:
Bull Riding – 1, Bill Hammerness. Junior Barrel Race, Boys and Girls 12-15 years (total time for two days) – 1, Haley Pezzini, 35.390; 2, Ashley Hartwig, 36.233; 3, Cheyenne Rey, 36.246; 4, Sierra Sans, 36.558. Dally Team Roping – 1, Vern Scattini and Todd Sans, 11.76; 2, Nick Taliaferro and David Taliaferro, 13.06; 3, Steve Loveless and Tracy Brooks-Mezera, 14.71; 4, Scott Spencer and Joe Spencer, 15.79. Saddle Bronc Riding – 1, Sam Swan; 2, John Flook. Tie-Down Roping – 1, Chad Zgragen, 17.46; 2, Kevin Wilkinson, 19.83; 3, Sid Humphrey, 36.93. Family Team Roping – 1, Dean Bell and Nikki Bell, 9.17; 2, David Porteur and Danielle Craig, 21.79. Junior Ribbon Race, Boys and Girls 6-15 years – 1, Megan Ford and Tawne Haynish, 9.98; 2, Jackie Aiello-Baldwin and Angel Gonzales, 10.342; 3, Katie Nino and Haley Pezzini, 10.343; 4, Abbey Allen and Anissa Stanton, 10.396. Cowhide Race – 1, Alex Kiesewetter and Heather Nursement, 14.160; 2, Dylan Pierce and Bill Minkel, 18.904; 3, Amanda Waibel and Travis Carreiro, 24.916. Mutton Busting – 1, Zachary Shepard, 5.34; 2, Tucker Bourdet, 4.77; 3, Colten Vallejo, 3.96; 4, David Nino, 2.80. Bull Doggin’ – No times. Wild Cow Milking – 1, Pat Abercrombie, Sid Humphrey and Carlos Castillo, 43.88; 2, Everett Sparling, Cal Doty and Jonathon Fowles, 1:20.19; 3, Tommy Dickens, T.J. Dickens and Matt Andrade, 1:25.80; 4, Joe Spencer, Joe Perry and Alex Naccarto Jr, 1:47.10. Junior Single Steer Stopping (total time for two days) – 1, Craig Slibslager, 12.730; 2, Brody Sans, 24.790; 3, Haylie Stelling, 48.670; 4, Dawson Bell, 18.11 (one day only). Wild Hose Race – No times.
Sunday Track Events:
Parade Winners, Junior Cowgirl – River Sage; Junior Cowboy – Billy Aviles Jr.; Senior Cowgirl – Dana Aviles; Senior Cowboy – John Red Eagle; Ranch Group – Morris Ranch. Best Working Outfit, Girls 4-7 years – 1, River Sage; 2, Lilla Bell; 3, Cora Schwabacher; 4, Sierra Stadtler; 5, Kylie Askew. Best Working Outfit, Boys 4-7 years – 1, Tristan Schmidt; 2, Cody French; 3, Tucker Bourdet; 4, Clay Roberts; 5, Clayton Acquistapace. Circular Track Race – 1, Amanda Hayes; 2, Allison Agostini; 3, Meghan Murray. Junior Keyhole Race, Girls and Boys 6-11 years – 1, Garrett Bourdet, 22.033; 2, Kelsee French, 22.323; 3, McKenna Wood, 24.517; 4, Blair Brown, 8.801 (one day only). Merchant Event, Goat Dressing – 1, San Benito County Ambassadors; 2, San Benito County Chamber of Commerce; 3, Hollister Lion’s Club. Hackamore Horse – 1, Lacy Bourdet showing Pidge; 2, Lacy Bourdet showing Ace Reid; 3, Dana Aviles showing Chick N Style; 4, Bob Pivetti showing Somebodys Bar Girl. Pony Express Race – 1, Romaldo Martin, 1:22.10; 2, Lee Katich; 3, Marilyn Miller. Figure-8 Roping – 1, Bob Pivetti; 2, Chad Zgragen, Jarrod Skow and Mark Fancher (tie). Open Stockhorse – 1, Jill Camron showing Smart N Nu, Rider Ramona Koch; 2, Lauri Funk showing Jesse; 3, Kelly Saunders showing Peppys Dual Lite; 4, Lauri Funk showing Peach. Best Appearing Cowhose without Saddle – 1, Susie Lomanto; 2, Kim DuPont; 3, Cynthia Fancher; 4, Tracy Park. Cattle Sorting – 1, Everett Sparling, Paula Rodriguez and Joe Morris, 52.42; 2, Cameron Low, Kevin Barlet and James Dassel, 1:06.39; 3, Steve Johnson, Ramona Koch and Terrie Fuentes, 1:42.00.
Sunday Arena Events:
Bull Riding – No rides. Tie-Down Roping – 1, Chad Zgragen, 31.58; 2, Kevin Wilkinson, 39.03; 3, D.J. Parker, 48.80; 4, Sid Humphrey, 54.78. Dally Team Roping – 1, Danielle Craig and Lacy Bourdet, 22.32; 2, Trace Skow and Jarrod Skow, 23.41; 3, Dean Bell and Hank Brown, 23.75; 4, Shane Higgins and Anthony Pomo, 24.91. Senior Barrel Race (total time for two days) – 1, Katie Vest, 35.956; 2, Tracy Brooks-Mezera, 36.065; 3, Becky Ford, 36.194; 4, Lisa Mancebo, 36.314. Junior Ribbon Race, Boys and Girls 6-15 years – 1, Cheyenne Rey and Avrie Hubbell, 10.059; 2, Mikael Bernadette Ricotti and Blair Brown, 11.643; 3, Tommy Ford and Wyatt Naccarato, 13.189. Saddle Bronc Riding – 1, Sam Swan; 2, John Flook. Cowhide Race – 1, Alan Coady and Joe Cousins, 14.500; 2, Caroline Gonzales and Sebastian Gonzales, 17.146; 3, Marilyn Miller and Brad Allmon, 20.652. Mutton Busting – 1, Kaiya Dickens, 3.48; 2, Landon Shear, 2.36; 3, Wyatt Roascio, 2.31; 4, Cameran Emeterio, 2.17. Bulldoggin’ – 1, James Dassel, 8.78. Wild Cow Milking – 1, Bill Caporgno, Sal Agredano and Bobby Zaucha, 43.78; 2, Josh Mendonsa, Tom Nino and Rob Nino, 51.37. Family Dally Team Roping – 1, Robi Jo Wiersma and John Wiersma, 16.13; 2, Colleen Sabin and Casey Sabin, 17.59; 3, Dana Aviles and Billy Aviles, 26.96. Wild Horse Race – No times.
Halter Horse Division:
Registered Quarter Horse Mares, 3 years and older – 1, Madison Hawkes showing Sheza Colonial Doc; 2, Cynthia Fancher showing Lenas Sugar Gal; 3, Levi Mansmith showing Cutter Chex N Half. Registered Quarter Hose Mares, 2 years and yearlings – 1, Shannon Renz showing Smokacitas Rocket; 2, Don Douglas showing Miss Hollynic; 3, Carolyn Renz showing Guardian Player 408. Registered Quarter Horse Geldings, 3 years and over – 1, Ellen El-Bisi showing Macrific King Badger; 2, Susie Lomanto showing Jerrys Peppy; 3, Carolyn Renz showing Smokacito Sun Frost; 4, Tracy Park showing Joses Quickdraw; 5, Stacey Watson showing Santana Dry. Registered Quarter Horse Geldings, 2 years and yearlings – 1, Lisa Tobias showing My Shining Niner. Registered Quarter Horse Group, produce of dam – 1, Tracy Park showing A Rednick Woman and Glo With It; 2, Carolyn Renz showing Smokacito Sun Frost and Smokacitas Rocket; 3, Lisa Tobias showing My Shining Niner and Gabilan Starlet. Registered American Paint Stallion, 3 years and over – 1, Ellen El-Bisi showing Ranger Fanc Wampum. Registered American Paint Mares, 3 years and over – 1, Emily Agostini showing CR Elegent Leaguer; 2, Ellen El-Bisi showing St. Nick’s Doll; 3, Ardyss Golden showing Dolce Carazon. Registered American Paint Geldings, 3 years and over – 1, Allison Agostini showing Go Bucko. Registered All Other Breeds Mares, 3 years and over – 1, Kim DuPont showing My Time To Spark; 2, Brittney Williams showing Domm’s Serenade. Grade and Unregistered Quarter Horse Mares, 3 years and over – 1, Ellen El-Bisi showing Victoria’s Secret; 2, Rhonda Gomes showing Dalhia; 3, Benny Jerome showing Cheyenne; 4, Anissa Stanton showing Montana. Grade and Unregistered Quarter Horse Geldings, 3 years and over – 1, Madison Hawkes showing Tank; 2, Abbey Allen showing Rusty. Grade and Unregistered Quarter Horse Geldings, 2 years and yearlings – 1, Ellen El-Bisi showing Cousin Spartacus; 2, Sandra Bohl showing Poncho’s Gold. Grade and Unregistered American Paint Geldings, 3 years and over – 1, Ellen El-Bisi showing Don’t Blink. Grade and Unregistered American Paint Geldings, 2 years and yearlings – 1, Taylor Shaffer showing Sunny. Grade and Unregistered All Other Breeds Geldings, 3 years and over – 1, Jakklyn Springer showing Shotgun; 2, Bailee Nelson showing Waterford; 3, Sandra Bohl showing Navajo. Champion, Registered Quarter Horse Mare – Tracy Park showing A Rednic Woman. Champion, Registered Quarter Horse Gelding – Ellen El-Bisi showing Macrific King Badger. Champion, Registered American Paint Stallion – Ellen El-Bisi showing Ranger Fanc Wampum. Champion, Registered American Paint Mare – Emily Agostini showing CR Elegant Leaguer. Champion, Registered American Paint Gelding – Allison Agostini showing Go Bucko. Champion, Registered All Other Breeds Mare – Kim DuPont showing My Time To Spark. Overall Grand Champion, Registered All Divisions – Ellen El-Bisi showing Macrific King Badger.
