This month’s issue has interesting stories about the many events that have taken place since our last issue. You will also read about some of the new sponsors that PRCA has taken on.
I’m very concerned about the rising cost of newbies wanting to become timed event contestants. For someone who does not currently live on a ranch or farm and wants to get involved in rodeo, it is very difficult unless they have access to horses from someone else. A newcomer who doesn’t own a horse, pickup or horse trailer, will find themselves in for an eye-opener when it comes to the expense of going down the road.
I have always been in favor of some seasoned contestants putting a barn full of good horses together that they would take to some of the junior, high school, college and open rodeos and mount people for a fee based on the caliber of the horse. I can see where this would allow new contestants a chance to get involved and, when the time was right, they could get their own inventory for competition.
This could prove to be a very profitable business for someone who is a good horseman and wants to be involved in rodeo. Unlike the current percentage of a win for mount money, there would be a set fee for riding the horse up front based on the quality of the horse. There would also be a percentage of any win made on the horse. This also would allow contestants to fly to some of the competitions thus allowing them to enter more rodeos. Many past champions could stay involved rodeo long after their days of competition. This could also be a good idea at some of the larger rodeos where horses would be there and be rested and ready rather than being hauled many miles and jumped out of trailer and expected to perform 100%.
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It has been a busy time of year and many changes are happening in the standings of the PRCA as the summer run nears an end. Pendleton will be coming up before we know it and will be a year-end changer for many contestants as will Rancho Mission Viejo.
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California team ropers seemed to dominate the team roping at this year’s California Rodeo. Pat Boyle and Jared Hixon won the average with a total of 58.60 on five head over the long Salinas score. Blake Teixeira and Tanner Luttrell captured second, Preston Burgess and Todd Hampton were third to round out the California top three teams. Coleman Proctor and Bille Jack Saebaens took home fourth while Jake Raine and Corey Walker captured fifth. Jr. Dees and Cody Cowden finished sixth, Brandon Webb and Kollin VonAhn were seventh and Trey Blackmore and Bruce Reidhead ended up eighth.
David Motes and Denny Watkins once again dominated the Gold Card Roping which always brings out champions of the past at this one-of-a-kind rodeo. This year didn’t see a lot of the top pros out here on the West Coast because of the overlapping rodeos all over the country. It is hard to come to Salinas when you have to stay the whole rodeo because of getting a steer every day. Five head is what makes this rodeo one of my favorites, but many of the contestants can’t be here for that long of time. When I was going down the road, Salinas was always one that I looked forward to. After traveling hard through the first part of July, it was nice to come to Salinas and give my horses a long needed rest in the cool climate of the Salinas Valley. The committee at Salinas goes out of their way to have a fun week for the contestants starting with the golf tournament.
The weather in Salinas this time of year can require a jacket in the morning and evenings with the coastal breezes coming in off the Pacific Ocean. Generally the fog burns off around 10:30 a.m., and the days are very enjoyable.
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Wishing everyone safe travels to their next competition.