Ride ‘em in . . .

Blake Hirdes of Turlock chases down a calf in the tie-down event at during the slack portion of the Barstow Rodeo Stampede at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Rodeo Grounds on Friday. According to Juanita O’Maley, rodeo secretary, the slack event gives all the contestants who weren’t able to enter the main rodeo a chance to compete in the timed events. Hirdes was able to rope his calf in nine seconds flat. According to O’Maley, contestants strive for the fastest times. The main portion of the rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Rodeo Grounds off of Ghost Town Road.