Most Viewed Stories
Most Commented Stories
Most Recommended Stories
Save & Share this Article
Rodeo stampeding into town
Comments 0 | Recommend 0BARSTOW — Area residents are preparing for the yearly stampede.
The Barstow Rodeo Group will present the 20th annual Barstow Stampede at the rodeo arena of the Yermo Annex of the Marine Corp Logistics Base on Saturday and Sunday.
More than 250 cowboys from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will compete in seven categories to share several thousand dollars in prize money, said Mel Wessel, president of the Barstow Rodeo group.
He said the event normally attracts about 2,500 spectators and is designed for fans of all ages. For Wessel and the more than 40 volunteers who participate in the event every year, the rodeo is abut celebrating the area’s history.
“It’s the celebration of our western heritage that brings us out here, ” he said.
Cowboys will participate in seven rodeo categories including saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding and barrel racing. The saddle and bareback bronc events feature riders attempting to stay mounted above a wild bucking horse for at least eight seconds. In steer wrestling, riders jump from horseback onto a wild the head of a wild steer in order to subdue the animal. Wessel said bull riding is one of the most popular events and is as dangerous and difficult as it looks. On average, only one out of every 20 riders is able to last the required eight seconds. In barrel racing, the only event in which women are allowed to participate, riders race around a three barrel course trying to maximize speed without touching the barrels. Most winning riders finish the course in 15 to 16 seconds, Wessel said.
“It’s a very, very difficult thing to do,” he said.
The event will feature over 200 bulls, steers, horses and calves. The animals will be provided by the Slash T Professional Rodeo company from Gooding, Idaho. The cowboys and cowgirls participating are all members of the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association and the Women’s Professional Barrel Racing Association.
He said though some of the events look dangerous for the animals and riders, care is taken to make sure no riders or animals are harmed. Two “bullfighters” will be on hand to distract the wild animals from hurting the riders in case of emergency but will not harm the bulls, Wessel said.
He said the focus of the event was family fun. Barstow resident Mike Hayhurst will put on a show for kids as a rodeo clown and a special event called “mutton bustin’” will be held for kids under 10. In the event, children will attempt to hold on to rampaging sheep as they run around the arena. Riders must be under 55 pounds.
During pauses between the rodeo events, the crowning of the rodeo queens, “little miss” queens and teen queens will be take place. On Friday evening before the actual rodeo, “slack events” featuring performers unable to participate in the regular rodeo will be held.
“It’s in order to let everybody participate in the rodeo,” said Connie Wessel, a volunteer with the event.
Wessel said the success of the annual event was due to the support of the MCLB, which allows the group to use the arena of the USMC Mounted Color Guard for the event.
The Barstow Rodeo Group is a charitable organization and the event is designed in part to provide entertainment for mentally and physically challenged kids and adults, foster children and their families, Wessel said. Members of those groups will receive free admission on Sunday. He said that the revenues from running the event rarely exceed the costs but any profits will be donated to High Desert Charities.
Click here for video from the rodeo.