33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo & Concert

33rd ANNUAL

LOS FRESNOS RODEO & CONCERT

CAMERON COUNTY FAIR & LIVESTOCK SHOW February 17 - 19, 2023

CONCERTS FEATURING MICHAEL RAY

OFFICIAL PROGRAM & INFORMATION GUIDE

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo j 3

2023 RODEO SCHEDULE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023

LOS FRESNOS RODEO OVERFLOW PERFORMANCE........................................................................ 9:00 A.M. Judging of Jr. Beef Cattle................................................................................................................ 9:00 A.M. Judging of Home Show Arts & Crafts........................................................................................... 10:00 A.M. Judging of Lambs.......................................................................................................................... 10:30 A.M. Home Show Exhibit Arena Opens................................................................................................. 12:00 P.M. Judging Of Goats.............................................................................................................................. 1:30 P.M. Market Place & Activity Area Opens............................................................................................... 5:00 P.M. Heart of America Carnival Opens ($25 All Day Pass Available till 11pm)....................................... 5:00 P.M. Judging of Market Steers................................................................................................................. 5:00 P.M. Rob’s Creations “The Texas Chainsaw Carver”.......................................................... 5:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M. Live Music: Ashley Falls Band.......................................................................................................... 5:30 P.M. Phil Nichols: Ventriloquist & Medicine Show.................................................................................. 6:30 P.M. LOS FRESNOS PRCA RODEO..................................................................................................... 7:30 P.M. Professional Bullfighters Competition, Calf Scramble(Grades 9 – 12) Mutton Bustin’ (Ages 4 – 7),Fireworks EAGLES RONSTADT EXPERIENCE Concert After Rodeo Phil Nichols: Ventriloquist & Medicine Show................................................................................ 10:15 P.M. Carnival, Market Place & Activity Area Closes............................................................................. 12:00 A.M.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2023

Judging of Market Hogs.................................................................................................................. 8:30 A.M. LOS FRESNOS RODEO PARADE....................................................................................................... 9:30 A.M. Live Bands Under the Tejas Corral Tent (until 7:30 P.M.)................................................................ 1:00 P.M. Live Band: Conjunto Halcon (Los Fresnos High School).................................................................. 1:00 P.M. Home Show Exhibit Area................................................................................................................. 1:00 P.M. Market Place, Activity Area, Heart of America Carnival Opens ($30 All Day Pass Available till 11pm).. 1:00 P.M. Rob’s Creations “The Texas Chainsaw Carver”..........................................................1:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M. Live Band: The Chris Rivera Band.................................................................................................... 2:20 P.M. Phil Nichols: Ventriloquist & Medicine show.................................................................................. 3:15 P.M. Live Band: Perfect Strangers .......................................................................................................... 3:40 P.M. Live Band: Sumthin’ Easy................................................................................................................. 5:00 P.M. Phil Nichols: Ventriloquist & Medicine Show.................................................................................. 5:15 P.M. Live Band: Ashley Falls Band............................................................................................................ 6:20 P.M. LOS FRESNOS PRCA RODEO..................................................................................................... 7:00 P.M. Professional Bullfighters Competition, Calf Scramble (Grades 6 – 8), Mutton Bustin (Ages 4 – 7),Fireworks MICHAEL RAY CONCERT IMMDIEDATELY AFTER RODEO Phil Nichols: Ventriloquist & Medicine show.................................................................................. 9:45 P.M. Carnival, Market Place & Activity Area Closes............................................................................. 12:00 A.M.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023

Judging of Rabbits........................................................................................................................... 9:00 A.M. Livestock Judging Contest............................................................................................................ 11:00 A.M. The Rio Grade Valley Get-R-Done Bluegrass Band Roundup Featuring RGV Get-R-Done Bluegrass Band & Guests.

TEJAS Corral Tent........................................................................................................ 11:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Heart of America Opens ($25 All Day Pass Available till 7pm)..................................................... 12:00 P.M. Market Place & Activity Area Opens............................................................................................. 12:00 P.M. Phil Nichols: Ventriloquist & Medicine Show................................................................................ 12:00 P.M. Rob’s Creations “The Texas Chainsaw Carver”...........................................................12:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Scholarship Award Presentation..................................................................................................... 2:00 P.M. Livestock Judging Contest Awards.................................................................................................. 2:00 P.M. Phil Nichols: Ventriloquist & Medicine show.................................................................................. 2:00 P.M. LOS FRESNOS PRCA RODEO ..................................................................................................... 3:00 P.M. Professional Bullfighters Competition, Calf Scramble (Grades 3 – 5) & Mutton Bustin (Ages 4 – 7) Cameron County Livestock Show Closes........................................................................................ 3:00 P.M. Phil Nichols: Ventriloquist & Medicine show.................................................................................. 5:45 P.M. Market Place, Activity Area & Heart of America Carnival Closes............................................. 8:00 P.M.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

FEBRUARY 16, 17 & 18, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS Sponsors...................................................... 5 Rodeo Chairman Welcome......................... 6 Los Fresnos Rodeo Committee................. 7 City Council Welcome................................. 8 Arena Layout & Pricing............................. 10 Rodeo Grounds & Parking....................... 11 Stace Smith Pro Rodeo............................. 12 Rodeo Announcer T.C. Long.................... 13 National Anthem Singers......................... 13 Flag Presenters......................................... 14 Professional Bullfighter Teams................ 17 Rider Keisner & Bethany Iles................... 18 2023 Rodeo Queen....................................... 27 Rodeo Ground Improvements............28-29 Cameron County Fair & Livestock Show.....31 Rob’s Creations......................................... 32 Phil Nichols Ventriloquist......................... 32 Michael Ray................................................ 36 Eagles Ronstadt Experience.................... 37 Eros & The Drifters................................... 38 Event Stage Live Music Lineup................ 38 2022 Pro Rodeo Cowboys World Standings..... 40-41 2023 CCFLS Cowgirl Competition........... 50 The History of Rodeo................................ 51 About the PBF........................................... 52 Rodeo Memories....................................... 54

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS JP Reed Farms Gold Star Farms Gary & Joanna Milum Texas R Homes City of Los Fresnos R. M. Walsdorf, Inc. O’Reilly Auto Parts Cavenders Western Wear Luis & Leslie Gonzalez LF Community Development Ron Bowen Jerry & Claudia Martinez Corp HEB Harry & Jackie Ward Family Americaan Electric Power International AC-IAEMT Fatty Chem By-Products – g3 Ranch ALJ Enterprises Foundation Friday Vulcan Materials Company South Texas Realty Tipton Auto Group Fatty Chem By-Products – Orlando Rocha Hunt Pan Am Big Chief Fireworks Saturday Back to Action State Farm/David G & T Paving Texas Farm Credit – Sunday Raul Atkinson Carpentry Armendariz Boggus/Tipton Gilbert Guajardo RNR Auto LLC Elliff Motors Gallegos Family RNR Auto LLC Laguna Madre Psychology Cinch Series Rodeo Wesley & Jennifer Milum Blackbeard’s Restaurant G&T Paving Gonzalez Family Harlingen Medical Center Glazer’s Distributing KISS FM 106.3 The Real Estate Source Mike Meyn Star’s Drive-In McCoy’s Building Supply Los Fresnos Emergency C&E Construction Linebarger Goggan Blair & Boot Jack Services Ace Towing & Recovery Sampson Chic-fil-A KTEX 100.3 Twisted Iron Imports The Green Law Firm P.C. L&F Distributors Magic Valley Electric Republic Services z livestock Vulcan Materials Company Brownsville Toyota Cooperative Tellus Equipment SolutionsSun Valley Dusting R.M. Walsdorf, Inc. Port of Brownsville John Deere Hilton Inn Resort SPI Cardoza Texas Regional Bank Texas First Rental Debbie Abrego Cardoza Shallow Sport Justin Boots Tapias Café Community Dev Corp.

Thomae Garza Funeral Home Los Fresnos Inn & Suites Juan Garcia Farms Cardenas Motors Cavenders Western Outfitters RV Station Donna Big Chief Fireworks San Jose Ranch Fatty Chem By Products Hanson Professional Services Southwest Keys Clark Additives Corvus Arms, LLC Los Fresnos CISD Salazar/Barrera McCormick Boot Barn Tejas Equipment Rental Martinez Family C & S Cattle Company First Community Bank Metro Fire J.R. Sosa Pam & Kenneth Denny Los Fresnos News BP Jesse & Julie Breedlove Dr. Missy’s Vet Mobile Republic Services Fatty Chem By-Products Los Fresnos Emergency Jesse & Julie Breedlove Cepeda Family Feather Ridge Subdivision HEB Services Jose G. Leal & Family Pederson Construction Elliff Motors Partivilla Construction LLC Jose S. Cisneros M.D., P.A. Hughston Insurance Agency Tellus Equipment SolutionsBoot Barn Larry & Rhonda Cantu Tejas Equipment Rental John Deere Prestige Home Builders Fresno Systems Services Harlingen Medical Center Texas Regional Bank Texas Farm Credit ISLA Prop. Mgmt. & Sales\ Rancho Escondido DnT Construction Texas Gas Service Key Performance Shrimp Outlet Rio Grande LNG Gulf Coast DMG Tip O Tex Chevrolet 7 Leguas Seed & Feed Russell & Tina Moses Port of Brownsville Charlie Clark Nissan Rio Grande Waste Feather Ridge Subdivision MJ Marine Const.

Robert Cory Hanson Professional Greer & Associates City of Los Fresnos State Farm David Gillman Chevrolet Services, Inc. O’Reilly Auto Parts Champs Barbershop Armendariz Haynie & Company GMS Architects McDonald’s Restaurant Hughston Insurance Agency Haynie & Company Gulf Coast Paper Holiday Inn Resort SPI Vulcan Materials Company Elliff Motors Gulf Coast Paper Co. Fresno Systems Services HEB Titan Fuels Glazer’s / Miller Lite Boggus Tipton Matt’s Cash & Carry Brownsville Toyota Crop Guard First Community Bank Dean Owen The Table of Los Fresnos Valley Baptist Health System Valley Shredding Service L & F Distributors / Magic Valley Electric LT Ranchwear & Interiors Southern Landscapes Budweiser Cooperative City of Los Fresnos Zepeda Sprinklers Cavenders Western Outfitters H.B. Girault Julia’s Resturant City of Los Fresnos Gulf Coast Paper Brownsville Pawn & Jewelry Shuckman Farms American Electric Power – Los Fresnos CDC LF Community Development Julia’s Restaurant Tipton Motors Foundation Glazer’s Distributors / Miller Corp R. M. Walsdorf, Inc. R.M. Walsdorf, Inc. Brownsville Toyota L&F Distributors/Budweiser Coastal Event Rentals Hughston Insurance Agency Chaffin Los Fresnos Publishing, LLC. Chick-fil-A Gulf Stream Marine R. M. Walsdorf, Inc. GMS Architecs Jaime Barbosa Los Fresnos CISD Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Mark & Shannon Milum Jimmy Sanchez Gene Daniels Sampson, LLP Jim & Kathleen Moses Republic Services Titan Fuels Vulcan Materials Co. Gloor Lumber Partivilla Construction LLC A Laguna Madre Psychology International AC-IAEMT Pumper King Big Chief Fireworks Gene Daniels Boot Jack Glazer’s Dist/Coors Light Captain Murphy Fishing Isla Restorations Glazer’s Distributing Meyn Sandblasting L&F Dist/Bud Light Charters Zarsky Lumber L & F Distributors Texas Regional Bank Jo-Ann Long KTEX 100.3

Platinum Sponsor

Bullriding Sponsor

Lower Third Screen Sponsor

Mutton Bustin Sponsor

Kiss Camera Sponsor

Fireworks Sponsor

Video Screen Sponsor

Calf Scramble Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

General Sponsor

Roping Box Sponsor

Bull Bleacher Sponsor

Cow Bleacher Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Corral Event Area Sponsor

Contestant Hospitality Sponsor

Bucking Chute Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Leader Board Sponsor

Barrel Man Sponsor

Saturday Concert Sponsor

Event Sponsor

Out-Gate Sponsor

Advertising Sponsor

Arena Sign Sponsors

Arena Box Holders

Friday Concert Sponsor

Calf Bleacher Sponsor

Sky Box Holders

Instant Replay Sponsor

Inside Bucking Chute Sponsor

Cantina Area Sponsor

Bullfight Team Sponsor

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Rodeo Fans:

Welcome to the 33rd Annual

LOS FRESNOS RODEO

“The Biggest Little Rodeo in Texas” On behalf of the Los Fresnos Rodeo Committee, I would like to express our sincere thanks to all of our sponsors and volunteers. It takes time, sweat and some tears to put on the Biggest Little Rodeo in Texas and without everyone’s support we could not put on this great event.

What a great rodeo we had last year with all three days sold out, record numbers of cowboy and cowgirl contestants, and great concerts. Thanks to all of you for supporting the Biggest Little Rodeo in Texas and helping us in our efforts to give scholarships to deserving students in all of Cameron County and to continue to bring family fun entertainment to South Texas.

Last year also brought some accolades in that the Los Fresnos Rodeo was awarded 2nd Place as the best rodeo committee for medium size rodeos in the state of Texas. This award is voted by the cowboys and cowgirls that compete in all the PRCA rodeos in Texas. It was an honor to receive this award at the Texas Circuit Finals in Waco this last year. The Los Fresnos Rodeo was also awarded a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant which was used to build the permanent stage and the paving of the midway from the rodeo entrance to the Lions Club Hall. T-Mobile awards the Hometown Grant to 25 entities in the country each quarter. To celebrate their awarding the 150th T-Mobile Hometown Grant they selected the Los Fresnos Rodeo as one of three locations in the nation to have an event celebrating this milestone. The event was so much fun and was open to the public with free food, giveaways and great music.

Stace Smith Pro Rodeo Stock Contractor, a 11 time WNFR Stock Contractor of the year recipient, will be back again bringing the best stock in Pro Rodeo which attracts the best cowboys and cowgirls to our Rodeo. We are excited to welcome back Mr. T.C. Long as our rodeo announcer. T.C. did a fantastic job for us last year and we are delighted to have him be part of our rodeo family. Our friends and part of our rodeo family who have been part of our Rodeo for over 30 years, Jim McLain and Allen Nelson are bringing some of the top bullfighters in PRCA to compete as they protect the bull riding cowboys. Keep tabs on them as they put themselves in front of the bulls to protect the bull riders. Your local youngsters will again compete in the Mutton Bustin’ and calf scramble.

This is always a fun event to watch.

Right after the rodeo on Friday and Saturday we are hosting some outstanding music artists. On Friday, we have a tremendous tribute of a musical group and artist, the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt performed by some of the best musicians in the country, the Eagles Ronstadt Experience. On Saturday, bringing a vintage country cool and modern country sound, Michael Ray will be performing some of his great hits such as “Whiskey and Rain”, “Kiss You in the Morning”, “Think a Little Less” and many more great songs.

In our Corral Activity Area you will find some awesome attractions like ChainSaw Sculpting, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Fragile Planet Wildlife, Ventriloquist and Magician all here to entertain you. Local bands will be playing at the Corral Stage including the Bluegrass group on Sunday. Across from the Corral Activity Area you’ll find our Marketplace with local artisans and vendors that have some really neat items for sale. Next to this is the Cameron County Fair and Livestock Show where our FFA and 4H kids will be showing their animals. This is a must see while attending the rodeo. And of course, for more family fun entertainment the Heart of America Carnival is here to bring thrills to all.

All of us associated with the Los Fresnos Rodeo thank you all for supporting this great event and hope that you will continue supporting us throughout the years to come. We all love bringing you the Biggest Little Rodeo in Texas and as we say here at this time of the year “IT’S RODEO TIME!” -Larry Cantu, Rodeo Chairman

LET’S RODEO, IT’S RODEOTIME!

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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RODEO COMMITTEE DIRECTORS Gene Daniels Carlos Salazar

Jerry Bruce

1994-2023 30 yrs. 1990-2002/2019-2023 18 yrs. 1990-2023 34 yrs. 1990-2011,17-23 29 yrs. 1990-2023 34 yrs.

1994-2023 30 yrs.

1997-2023 27 yrs.

1997-2023 27 yrs.

1997-2023 27 yrs.

2004-2023 20 yrs.

2005-2023 19 yrs.

2005-2023 19 yrs.

2006/08-23 17 yrs. 2009 - 2023 15 yrs.

Hurlee Cherrington Brian Schwark

2014 - 2023 10 yrs. 2014 - 2023 10 yrs.

2017 - 2023 7 yrs.

1990-2023 34 yrs.

2001 - 2023 23 yrs. 2001-2023 23 yrs.

2012 - 2023 12 yrs.

1993-2023 31 yrs.

90-96/2008-11/2014-23 21 yrs

2012 - 2023 12 yrs.

Jesse Breedlove Paul Pederson Antonio Salazar 2017 - 2023 7 yrs.

2021 - 2023 3 yrs.

2021 - 2023 3 yrs.

Associate Directors: Amy Gonzales, Austin Milum, Chrissy Daniels, Cruz Garcia, Darlene Pederson, Debora Goss, Diana Salazar, Emily Schwark, Eric Kersey, Esther Bruce, Guillermo Garcia Jr., Janice Jirmasek, John Costilla, JoJo Cerda, Jordan Sandoval, Juan Sierra, Julie Breedlove, Kathleen Moses, Linda Chaffin, Luis Gonzalez, Luis Gonzalez, Madison Girault, Mary Vasquez, Melanie McCormick, Melissa Meyn, Nathan Lill, Neil Anderson, Orlondo Rocha, Oscar Gonzales, Patty Gomez, Peggy Reed, Rhonda Cantu, Rose Cardoza, Shannon Cherrington, Shannon Milum, Sherri Garcia, Sherry Macomb, Stephanie Crow, Traci Salazar, Travis Milum, Jennifer Milum, Connie Juarez, Rosalinda R. Lopez, Baldemar Cortez, Carlos Garza, Chris Ewing, Connor McCormick, David Armendariz, David Cavazos, David Valdez, Daylan Taylor, Diego Chavez, Henry Hernandez, Homer Martinez, Jaime Barbosa, Johnny Degaspri, Juan Cortez, Justin Srambaugh, Lisa Valdez, Lyann Juarez, Robert Garza.

PAST RODEO COMMITTEE DIRECTORS Mike Todd 1990 - 2020 31 yrs.

Bob Middleton 1999 - 2002 4 yrs.

Charles Curtis 1991 - 2010 20 yrs.

Daniel Zurita 2008 - 2018 11 yrs.

Ramon Ramirez 1992 - 2002 11 yrs.

Richard Meyn 1992 - 2001 10 yrs.

Jim Solis 2004 - 2011 8 yrs.

Todd Cash 2001 - 2007 7 yrs.

James Harris 2013 - 2018 6 yrs.

Tyson Zufelt 2015 - 2020 6 yrs.

Brian Hunsaker 1997 - 2001 5 yrs.

Gilbert Guajardo Jr. Burney Baskett Don Blakey Joe Serrata Mercedes Cantu Ralph Peña Russell Kemp Tom Andrews Dale Rice

1995 - 1998 2013 - 2014 1990 - 1991 2004 - 2005 1990 - 1991 1991 - 1992 2004 - 2005 2002 - 2003 1990

4 yrs.

2 yrs.

2 yrs.

2 yrs.

2 yrs.

2 yrs.

2 yrs.

2 yrs.

1 yrs.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

CITY COUNCIL WELCOME The City of Los Fresnos would like to welcome Rodeo Fans to the

33RD ANNUAL LOS FRESNOS RODEO Welcome to the great City of Los Fresnos. We are glad you are here to share in special memories with your family. Los Fresnos takes pride in developing quality of life events throughout the year. The Los Fresnos Rodeo is one of those. The Los Fresnos Rodeo Committee and volunteers put in many hours of work year round to host this fantastic event. Join me in thanking them for their efforts.

Along with the regular events for the Rodeo, including the Calf Scramble and the Mutton Bustin, this year Girls Breakaway Roping will be here for the second time after last year’s inaugural event was packed with contestants. You will want to see it again!! The concert on Friday night with Eagles Ronstadt Experience is sure to bring special memories from that era. Michael Ray is proving to be a hit and can’t wait to see him in action. But that isn’t all, be sure to visit the Activity Area to see the Stock Show, the Carnival, the Market Place, “The Texas Chainsaw Carver”, the Ventriloquist & Medicine Show, the concerts featuring varied music from local groups and many other activities before and after the Rodeo. As you visit the Stock Show area, congratulate and encourage our youth for their hard work and dedication to the various projects they are involved with. Los Fresnos has a wonderful business community. Don’t forget to visit and support the businesses of Los Fresnos before and after the Rodeo. Visit Los Fresnos often.

Again, welcome to the City of Los Fresnos and we hope to see you again next year on the weekend of February, 16, 17 & 18, 2024.

Sit back and enjoy the Rodeo!

Alejandro Flores, Mayor

Jose Macias, Council Member Place 1

Juan Muñoz, Council Member Place 2

Gabriela Fernandez, Council Member Place 3

Luis Gonzalez, Council Member Place 4, Mayor Pro-Tem

Terry Vinson, Council Member Place 5

BUSINESS ADVANTAGES • Fast growing market and area population.

• High Average Daily Traffic Counts reported by TxDOT • Affordable commercial, industrial, and office business sites.

• Located on North Brownsville growth area and direct route to Port Isabel-South Padre Island • Qualified workforce available

IMPORTANT INFORMATION • 7 Miles to Port of Brownsville • 20 miles to Port Isabel-South Padre Island areas • Competitive Land Values • Low city property taxes • Attractive Residential areas • Equidistant to Airports • Just minutes to Expressway • Quality of Life amenities • Annual Festivals & Events

visit us online

City of Los Fresnos www.citylf.us Los Fresnos CDC www.cdclf.us

520 E. Ocean Blvd. • Los Fresnos, Texas 78566 • 956-233-5768

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

ARENA LAYOUT & PRICING NORTH SIDE

Rodeo - Friday 7:30 PM

Sky Boxes

Advance $20 Day of Event $25

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Concert Only

Whipple

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February 17th, 18th & 19th Handicap

3:00 PM

Box Seats

Roping Box

Advance $25 Day of Event $30

Rodeo - Sunday

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Bucking Chutes

Advance $35 Day of Event $40

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7:00 PM

Vela

RODEO STORE

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Announcer’s Stand

Rodeo - Saturday

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Bucking Chutes

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www.lfrodeo.com AUTO • HOME • LIFE • COMMERCIAL • FLOOD • WIND 705 W. Ocean Blvd. Suite A Los Fresnos, Tx 78566

956-233-5744

To General Parking

Highway 100

R O D E O

Rodeo Contestant Parking Bathrooms

Lions Club

BEER

Rodeo Contestant Parking

Rodeo Store

Bathrooms

Live Music

General Parking

Stock Pens

ST AG E

BEER

Rodeo Arena Pen

D R I V E

BEER

Corral Activity Area

Ticket Offificce

Cowboy Warm Up Arena Rodeo Grounds Entrance

Market Place

Corral Activity Area

Handicap Parking

Livestock Show Participants Parking

Heart of America Carnival

General Parking

General Parking

General Parking Entrance

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

STACE SMITH 2004-2014 11X PRC A STOCK CONTR ACTOR OF THE YEAR!

Producing America’s Original Sport!

Producing over 7 different states, over 80 perfor mances, and 15 separate rodeos, Stace Smith Pro Rodeos is among t he busiest rodeo producers i n t he cou nt r y. P roduci ng rodeos such as the Cheyenne Frontier Days, Ogden Pioneer Days, Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in Amarillo Texas, and the Texas Circuit Finals (as well as many others) has ear ned him the title of “11X Stock Contractor of the year.”

2021 INITIATIVES Since the beginning of our great countr y, horses have been an integral par t of constr ucting what we k now today.

With that there have been numerous Genealogy and DNA registries for types, and disciplines of horses. But never for bucking horses until 2017 when the BHBA (Bucking Horse Breeders Assn.) for med and began the tedious process of mapping genes from dozens of stock contractors. Today, we par tner with the BHBA to expand that initiative to all of the industr y, therefore growing outside investment into our industr y, ultimately spreading the reach of Rodeo.

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

RODEO ANNOUNCER

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T.C. LONG T.C. Long is originally from Andrews, TX, but now calls home in Athens, TX. He began his pro rodeo announcing career in 2005 at the age of 22 years old. He has been selected to work the Ram Texas Circuit Finals eleven times. He has also announced the National Steer Roping Circuit Finals. Some of the top PRCA Rodeos he announces include Bismarck, North Dakota, Top 5 Medium Rodeo of the Year Nominee- Coleman PRCA Rodeo in Coleman, TX, The All-American Pro Rodeo Finals and One H.O.T Rodeo in Waco, TX, San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Qualifier Events, and Bell County Pro Rodeo in Belton, TX. In 2021, T.C. was selected to announce the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping in Las, Vegas, Nevada.

On average, T.C. announces over 42 events each year across the United States and has been featured in several T V shows on R F D -T V, R I DE T V, a nd T he Cowboy Channel.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

WENDY OCHOA

NATIONAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 ANTHEM MADELYNN MIRCELLE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

VERONICA PALACIOS

My name is Wendy Ochoa. I am 23 years old. I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and I am from Edinburg, Texas. I’ve been singing since I was one and from there my music career has continued to grow. I am currently singing in a band called Pure Country.

I am thankful to God and my family for always pushing me and supporting me in each step of the way.

My name is Veronica Palacios. I am from Pharr Texas. I am 44 years old, a mother of 7, and grandmother of 3. I’ve been married for 26 years. I work with McAllen School District as a school nurse. I’ve been singing all my life. It is my passion!

Whenever I get an opportunity to sing, I go for it.

Madelynn Mircelle Gonzalez is a sophomore at Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville, TX, and is extremely excited to be singing the national anthem at this year’s Los Fresnos Rodeo.

Madelynn has been blessed with the opportunity to perform our national anthem at various other events including The United States District Court of South Texas Naturalization Ceremony and the Brownsville Chief of Police Inaugural Marathon.

She has also performed for the United Way Cameron County Telethon and for The Big Give of Brownsville.

Madelynn’s true passion is theater and she has been part of multiple productions with The Camille Playhouse, and the Brownsville Repertory Theatre. This past summer, she was part of the award-winning production of Ragtime at the Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute. Madelynn would like to thank the many people who have supported her love of performing including her family and friends, as well as the Los Fresnos Rodeo committee for welcoming her with open arms.

She would like to give a special “Thank You” to her biggest fan and little sister, Kristalynn Faye, for her unconditional love and inspiration.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

PRESENTING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FLAG AND THE LOS FRESNOS RODEO SPONSOR FLAGS

Claire D. Lee Hello! My name is Claire Lee. I am a junior Mass Communications major at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (V’s UP!). I am a speed events fanatic, an old-school music enthusiast, and public speaking phenom! As a former Texas 4-H, AQHYA, and TQHYA member, I have seen how impactful the agricultural and horse industries are at shaping the next generation of leaders. I was recently named a member of AQHLead Class of 2023, a prestigious group of young horse industry leaders dedicated to professional development and horse industry advancement. While I’m not studying for finals, I am catching up on my latest book or exploring new rock songs!

Karely Garcia Hi, my name is Karely Garcia! I am a high school senior from Rio Grande City, TX. I compete in team roping, barrel racing, goat tying, and breakaway roping. As an active member in the Texas High School Rodeo AssociationRegion VIII, I have had my share of success, having qualified in team roping and breakaway my freshman and junior year, respectively. I’m also part of the FFA program, having been a member for over 6 years.

Charylet D. Lee Hi! My name is Charylet Lee. I am 16 years old and a high school homeschooled sophomore from La Joya, TX. My passion is horses, having competed at world-class levels of competition and recently earning Bronze World Champion at the AQHA Youth World Show in Pole Bending this year. I have been an active Texas 4-H member for over 6 years, a Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association member for over 10 years, and an American Quarter Horse Youth Association member for over 10 years. Within these organizations, I serve as President of the Valley West 4-H club, Board Member for TQHYA, and National Director for Region 8 for the AQHYA. Outside of my leadership and competitor roles, you can find me welding metal art projects, drinking McDonald’s caramel frappes, and hanging out with my family.

Addie Humphreys Hi, my name is Addie Humphreys!

I have been an active 4-H member for four years. I am the vice president of my club and have been a McHi Junior FFA student for five years. I am also the delegate at-large for the Hidalgo County 4-H Council. I serve on the council for National Junior Honor Society and am a member of HOSA for my school. I am also on the cross country, tennis, and soccer teams.

My passions are showing market goats and riding my horses as often as possible.

Charles C. Lee Howdy! My name is Charles Lee. I am a former student of Texas A&M University (A-WHOOP!), recently earning a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science. Having witnessed first-hand the power of agriculture in leadership and professional development as a former Texas 4-H, AQHYA, and TQHYA member, it has inspired me to remain involved in the agricultural and horse industries. I am an AQHLead Class of 2022 Fellow, a project leader in the Valley West 4-H Club, and Youth Advisor in the TQHA. As I wait to start professional school, I am riding and shoeing horses or drinking coffee.

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

BULLRIDING

Rodeo competition, in the beginning, was a natural extension of the daily challenges cowboys confronted on the ranch - roping calves and breaking broncs into saddle horses.

Bull riding, which is intentionally climbing on the back of a 2,000-pound bull, emerged from the fearless and possibly fool-hardy nature of the cowboy. The risks are obvious. Serious injury is always a possibility for those fearless enough to sit astride an animal that literally weighs a ton and is usually equipped with dangerous horns. Regardless, cowboys do it, fans love it and bull riding ranks as one of rodeo’s most popular events.

Bull riding is dangerous and predictably exciting, demanding intense physical prowess, supreme mental toughness and courage. Like bareback and saddle bronc riders, the bull rider may use only one hand to stay aboard during the eight-second ride. If he touches the bull or himself with his free hand, he receives no score. But unlike the other roughstock contestants, bull riders are not required to mark out their animals.

While spurring a bull can add to the cowboy’s score, riders are commonly judged solely on their ability to stay aboard the twisting, bucking mass of muscle.

Size, agility and power create a danger that makes bull riding a crowd favorite everywhere. Balance, flexibility, coordination, quick reflexes and, perhaps above all, a strong mental attitude are the stuff of which good bull riders are made. To stay aboard the bull, a rider grasps a flat braided rope, which is wrapped around the bull’s chest just behind the front legs and over its withers. One end of the bull rope, called the tail, is threaded through a loop on the other end and tightened around the bull. The rider then wraps the tail around his hand, sometimes weaving it through his fingers to further secure his grip.

Then he nods his head, the chute gate swings open, and he and the bull explode into the arena. Every bull is unique in its bucking habits. A bull may dart to the left, then to the right, then rear back. Some spin or continuously circle in one spot in the arena. Others add jumps or kicks to their spins, while others might jump and kick in a straight line or move side to side while bucking.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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TWOBULLS PROTECTION BULLFIGHTING What are they doing out there?

Maybe this ain’t your first rodeo, or even your first Los Fresnos PRCA rodeo, and while you are familiar with the sport, what’s different about the bullriding here? What in the world are the bullfighters, the guy’s assigned to protect the bull riders, doing out there? What’s this about a “protection match”?

As you know, rodeo is a competition that started when one cowboy said to another, “I can rope (or I can ride) better than you!” Once that was said, the competition was on to determine who was the best.

Soon, some adventurous type determined that he would ride a bull!

Probably no sooner than he dismounted or was thrown and scrambled to safety, someone else said that they could do it better.

Eventually, all of these contests where put together in the format we know today as “rodeo”, and before long Professional Rodeo emerged, which is what is occurring in Los Fresnos as you read this. You are seeing the best cowboys competing on the best stock to show you “who’s best”.

It was only natural, then, that the bullfighers, many of whom are cowboys, would think they were better at protecting riders than the next guy. But if you’re not being timed, and you aren’t going to get bucked off, how can you tell who’s doing a better job?

Enter TwoBulls mastermind Jim D. McLain, Jr. and Allen S Nelson, Jr., two professional bullfighters who have not only worked the Los Fresnos PRCA rodeo for years, but professional rodeos

and bull riding events all across the United States. Using years of experience and knowledge of bulls, bull riding, and bullfighting, they devised a system whereby the basics and fundamentals of the sport could be quantified in a format that would allow the bullfigher’s performances to be displayed in order of superiority. Or, as Jim would say, “We developed a judging system!”

Two, or more, judges score the bullfighers as teams to determine who did their jobs the best. At the level of competition, you are seeing at Los Fresnos, it isn’t that one team did a good job and the other team did a bad job. The bullfighters competing in Los Fresnos are experienced professionals at the top of their game, so, to determine who is doing the best job really does require a judging system to separate not just good from great, but great from greater, and greater from awesome!

Your job, as a fan, is to pick a team and help them win! You see, built into the system are bonus points for thrilling the crowd! As close as the scoring has always been at the Los Fresnos PRCA rodeo, those points are enough to determine the winner. So, when you see your bullfighters do something that makes your heart throb, or brings you to the edge of your seat, make some noise! You may just help determine the winner of the go round and the overall competition!

BUD LIGHT TEAM

COORS LIGHT TEAM

Blake Miller

Colt Carlisle

Evan Allard

Noah Krepps

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

RIDER KIESNER & BETHANY ILES RIDER KIESNER SPECIALTY ACT

Rider grew up as a 5th generation cowboy he was competing in Youth and Little Britches rodeos as far back as anyone can remember. He won his first buckle when he was just 5 years old.

He was given a Will Rodgers trick roping kit for Christmas when he was nine. Rider would push the living room furniture back and watch instructional videos over and over until he mastered each trick. He started performing locally that next summer. He than began performing in professional rodeos by the time he was eleven.

Rider continues to practice the cowboy skills of trick roping, gun spinning, and whip-cracking daily.

In the early days of rodeo was held as a competition at the many of the largest rodeos in the nation. Rider competes at the international competitions in trick roping and gun spinning.

At age 28, he has already 2X World Champion All Around Western Performer, 4X World Champion Trick Roper, and 2X World Champion Gun Spinning titles. Rider has performed all 50 states.

Canada, Mexico, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Oman, Dubai, Lebanon, and France. Rider had been featured 7X NFR, 9X Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cavalia, Prairie Circuit Finals, California Circuit Finals.

Bethany started trick riding at just nine years old.

Despite not being raised in a horse or rodeo family the lifestyle captivated her . At 10 she and her twin and little sister began performing at rodeos across the Midwest performing both trick and Roman riding acts.

At age 18 Bethany decided to pursue trick riding full time earning her PRCA card which had been a dream of hers. She and Rider Kiesner joined forces when she was 19 and have performed at many big events such as the Mountain state Circuit Finals, Prairie Circuit Finals, Great Lakes Circuit Finals, the American Royal in Kanas City Mo, Road to the horse and many more.

The two competed on two tv shows one being the NBC Sparten Ultimate Team Challenge the other TBS Go Big Show . Their biggest accomplishment was winning the title of 2020 PRCA Dress Act of the Year.

Bethany loves the art of trick riding and aims to honor the sport and the woman that came before her.​

First Community Bank is proud to support the Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo.

Congratulations on 33 great years!

San Benito

1151 W. Highway 77 600 S. Sam Houston Blvd.

956.399.3331

Los Fresnos

205 E. Ocean Blvd.

956.233.4100

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806 S. 77 Sunshine Strip 405 N. Stuart Place Road 956.428.4100

Raymondville

729 E. Hidalgo Avenue 956.699.4000

Brownsville

470 E. Morrison Road 956.547.5100

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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BAREBACK RIDING

Bareback riders endure more abuse, suffer more injuries and carry away more long-term damage than all other rodeo cowboys.

To stay aboard the horse, a bareback rider uses a rigging made of leather and constructed to meet PRCA safety specifications. The rigging, which resembles a suitcase handle on a strap, is placed atop the horse’s withers and secured with a cinch.

Bareback riding has been compared to riding a jackhammer with one hand. Jason Jeter can probably attest to that definition. As the bronc and rider burst from the chute, the rider must have both spurs touching the horse’s shoulders until the horse’s feet hit the ground after the initial move from the chute. This is called “marking out.” If the cowboy fails to do this, he is disqualified.

As the bronc bucks, the rider pulls his knees up, rolling his spurs up the horse’s shoulders. As the horse descends, the cowboy straightens his legs, returning his spurs over the point of the horse’s shoulders in anticipation of the next jump.

Making a qualified ride and earning a money-winning score requires more than just strength. A bareback rider is judged on his spurring technique, the degree to which his toes remain turned out while he is spurring and his willingness to take whatever might come during his ride.

It’s a tough way to make a living, all right. But, according to bareback riders, it’s the cowboy way.

Save the date

More details to follow.

30th Annual Conjunto Festival October 6 & 7, 2023

Memorial Park, 900 North Arroyo Blvd , Los Fresnos, TX

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

Avery Fohn

2023 RODEO QUEEN

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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Miss Aver y Jane Foh n is the 18-yearold daughter of Bar r y and Lisa Foh n of Harlingen, Texas. She is a senior at Harlingen High School, cu r rently ran ked in the top 5 of her g raduating class.

Aver y is a member of var ious st udentled organizations such as PTSA, St udent Council, DECA, National Honor Societ y, and FFA. She is the PTSA President and works alongside parents, teachers, and st udents to organize com munit y ser vice activities and raise f unds for schoolwide events. She is also a member of the Lower Valley Cotillion Club. Aver y is cu r rently ser ving as A rea X FFA Vice President and St udent Advisor for the Tip O Tex FFA Dist r ict and Harlingen FFA chapter, where she was the for mer President of both. She competes in the Creed Speaking LDE Event and Poult r y Judging CDE competitions. She also represents R io Grande Valley Livestock Show as Cover Girl 1st Run ner Up. Being a member of the Highland Hustlers 4 -H Club for over 10 years, Aver y is an ext remely active 4 -Her having ser ved on Club, Count y, Dist r ict, and Texas 4 -H State Councils.

She at tended Advocacy Academy at the Texas Capitol and was on the Leadership Team for the 2022 Texas 4 -H Cong ress. Aver y has ser ved as a Texas Youth Livestock A mbassador since at tending her shor t cou rse in 2020. She has t raveled across the nation lear ning about ag r icult u re th rough the incredible oppor t unities offered by the TYLA prog ram. This has allowed her to see the world of ag r icult u re f rom many different perspectives. She was selected to be a st udent in the inaug u ral class of the Nor man Borlaug Youth in Ag r icult u re Prog ram where she works alongside u rban and r u ral youth to solve some of the Nation’s leading challenges facing ag r icult u re today. Ser ving as an inter n for the Texas Southwest Cat tle Raisers Convention and a senior inter n for the Greater Chamber of Harlingen, Aver y has lear ned many cr itical skills in the workplace and business world. This year Aver y will be ex hibiting t wo pigs at the Cameron Count y Fair and Livestock Show. If she is not in the bar n working with her show pigs, you can f ind Aver y mentor ing younger ex hibitors and shar ing her exper iences with others. She believes lear ning about others’ stor ies is so impor tant in building valuable relationships.

Growing up ext remely involved in 4 -H and FFA, Aver y has developed a solidif ied comprehension of the impor tance ag r icult u re plays in ou r ever yday lives. Her passion as a young ag r icult u r ist has g row n th rough each of her exper iences. Af ter g raduating high school, Aver y will at tend Texas A&M Universit y in College Station to major in Ag r icult u ral Economics. She plans to st udy abroad du r ing college in order to expand her k nowledge of different cult u res and act as a br idge across the nation and world. She plans to at tend law school af ter ear ning her underg raduate deg ree to pu rsue Ag policy and event ually become an Ag Law yer. Aver y is ext remely honored to be representing the Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo as the 2023 Rodeo Queen.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

Awards $50,000.00 T-MOBILE HOMETOWN GRANT

APRIL 2021 - T-Mobile launched the T-Mobile Hometown Grants committing $25 million, a five year initiative to support people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow.

Last Quarter 2021 - Los Fresnos Rodeo was selected as one of 25 organizations in the nation to receive a grant for $50,000.

First Quarter 2022 - Los Fresnos Rodeo started work on two projects that were part of the Hometown Grant submission to T-Mobile: 1. PERMANENT EVENTS STAGE 2. Midway Paving from Rodeo entrance to Lions Club Hall September 2022 - Los Fresnos Rodeo was selected as one of three sites in the nation by T-Mobile to celebrate the awarding of their 150 - $50,000 grant.

November 2022 - Los Fresnos Rodeo was one of three sites in the United States selected to celebrate T-Mobile’s granting of its 150 grant. Out of 150 grant recipients Los Fresnos was chosen as 1 of 3 cities to host one of the T-Mobile Celebrations. The T-Mobile Celebration was held at the Los Fresnos Rodeo Grounds with local food trucks, remote radio broadcast from KTEX and live performance from the Fabulous Cruisers. T-Mobile gave away several hundred Light-Brite toys, teddy bears and other giveaways.

2nd Place 2022 Texas Circuit Medium Rodeo Committee of Year · Presented by the Texas ProRodeo Circuit, a member of the PRCA ProRodeo Circuit system which supports over 100 PRCA sanctioned rodeos across the great State of Texas. · PRCA rodeo contestants participating in Texas PRCA rodeo vote for the Texas Rodeo Committee of the year.

2022 Texas Circuit Rodeo Committees of the Year Medium Rodeo Committee of the Year 1st Place, Coleman PRCA Rodeo, Coleman, TX 2nd Place, Los Fresnos Rodeo, Los Fresnos, TX 3rd Place, Helotes Festival Association Rodeo, Helotes, TX

t-mobile rodeo ceremony

committee of the year

permanent stage

Improvements Construction of Permanent Stage (T-Mobile Grant) Paving of the Midway (T-Mobile Grant) Addition to Ticket Office New Announcer’s Stand

Equipment Purchase 2022 John Deere 520m with front end bucket and shredder

midway paving

ticket office expansion new equipment

announcer’s stand under construction

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

C

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

AMERON COUNT FAIR & LIVESTOCK SHOW 2023

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Y

LIVESTOCK SHOW EXECUTIVE BOARD Valerie Arizmendi William Goad Virginia Miller Sherilyn Goad Mark Miller Rhonda Muñoz Rebecca Goad

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer VP Livestock VP Home Show VP Sponsorships

LIVESTOCK SHOW BOARD MEMBERS

Delmer Stanko Eloy Garcia Lynette Suarez George & Gloria Loya Claudia Rodriquez Jason Suarez

Anna Lee Stanko Billie D. Simpson Thomas Garza Clayton Stephens Andrew Pedraza Will Goad

SHOW VOLUNTEERS Sam & Missy Morrow

David Arizmendi Ebon Jones Marco Ponce Peggy Harris Joe Cruz

Buck & Stephanie Rhyner Abel Suarez Klarissa Cantu Peggy Harris

County Fair & Livestock show is in its’ 42nd year in 2023 and continues to be blessed with the support of the City of Los Fresnos, the CDC of Los Fresnos, and the Lions Club of Los Fresnos. We wish to thank them all!

This organization is made of many volunteers who donate their time and efforts to make this show a continued success. I would like to recognize The 2023 Board of Directors for the show, they are as follows: William Goad as Vice President, Mark Miller as Vice President over Livestock, Rhonda Muñoz as Vice President of the Home Show, Sherilyn Goad as Treasurer and Virginia Miller as Secretary. There are many others too numerous to name as well.

The Heart of America Carnival will be here once again to bring out the youth in us all as we ride the thrilling rides, play the games in efforts to win prizes, or just look at the bright lights. Carnival hours of operation will be Friday evening at 5 p.m. February 17, 2023 with passes for $25, Saturday at 1 p.m.

February 18, 2023 with passes for $30, and Sunday at 12 noon February 19, 2023 with passes for $25.

On January 21, 2023 the Cowgirl pageant was held at the CCFLS Showgrounds with just the judges and contestants present to reduce the Covid risk to all. Next year we plan to be back with a full pageant open to the public. This year 11 beautiful young ladies represented their 4H club or FFA chapter for the title of Cowgirl. This year, Ms. Olivia Rowe and Ms. Josie Flores represented Los Fresnos FFA, Ms. Mia Picazo, Ms. Zoe Aleman and Ms. Clarissa Estevanes represented Santa Maria FFA, Ms. RyAnn O’Laughlin represented Ag Science Academy, from Highland Hustlers 4H, Ms. Sienna Molina, Ms. Chloe Esparza represented San Benito 4H, Ms. Tatum Helmer represented Harlingen FFA, Ms. Morgan Stanko represented Rio Hondo FFA, Victoria Garza represented Harlingen South FFA. The 2022 CCFLS Cowgirl was Avery Fohn representing Highland Hustlers 4H. She will now go on to represent the Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo as their Queen for 2023. The crowning of this year’s Cowgirl will be Friday February 17, 2023 at approximately 4:00 p.m. in the show arena prior to the start of the steer show.

This year our barns will be full as initial entries report: Commercial Heifers 21, Steers 39, Registered Heifers 34, Goats 59, Lambs 41, Hogs 203, Rabbits 49. Home show entries and Art 6, Baked Goods 14, Jam 1, Clothing 3, Crafts 11, Photography 70, and Shop projects 11.

There will be a Livestock Judging competition on Sunday morning as well as the new Ag ID competition right after. Both of these contests will challenge the youth to know different items and products that are used or grown in agriculture and which animal is the best in the groups of four presented to them.

Exhibitors will once again be awarded premium money based on their placings instead of the auction. From the 4H and FFA to the Pee-Wee Showmanship there is a great deal of learning and friendly competition during the three day show.

The committee members and show volunteers of Cameron County Fair & Livestock show are proud of our continued association with the Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo and the Los Fresnos Lions Club.

See you at the show!

Valerie Arizmendi

CCFLS President 2023 Heart of America Carnival schedule: Friday, February 17: 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. (All day pass $25) ;Saturday, February 18: 1 p.m. – 12 a.m. (All day pass $30); Sunday, February 19: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. (All day pass $25)

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

ROB’S CREATIONS

Rob’s Creations is located in the hear t of Ir ving, Texas. We create wonderf ul works of ar t out of recycled logs and in g rou nd st umps. You r imagination is the limit.

We never har m living t rees. All of ou r mater ial is composed of logs lef t behind f rom Texas stor ms and t rees that are cut dow n and th row n to the cu rb.

Along with cou ntless requests for car vings and special appearances, some of Rob’s recent clients are Ir ving Cares Food Ban k, Lindamood Demolition, Executive Consultants of Plano, Cit y Of Ir ving as feat u red in Dallas Mor ning News, and several pieces of Rob’s Creations were recently donated to the Camp Wisdom camp g rou nd for the Boys Scouts of A mer ica. Rob’s Creations has been recog nized by the Ir ving Rambler and his chainsaw car vings have been feat u red on A z teca Texas News in Dallas/ Ft. Wor th. His clients include Dickies work wear and Lume Deodorant.

Rob’s Creations uses ever y thing f rom oak wood to red cedar to whatever we can get ou r hands on. You will never k now what you get u ntil it’s f inished, because ever y wood is u nique in its g rain and that makes it much more beautif ul.

PHIL NICHOLS VENTRILOQUIST

Phil Nichols has been a ventriloquist for almost 50 years. He regularly performs at fairs, rodeos, festivals and events all over the great state of Texas.

His television appearances include America’s Got Talent season 13, Southern Gospel Praise, A kids TV show called Keys for Kiddos, and many local and regional news programs. He performs with Cowboy Corky Tumbleweed, Aunt Banny Hen and Bosworth the Talking Crow. He also presents his Wild West medicine show along with his partner Melissa Nichols. A fun time for all!

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

TEAM ROPING

Team roping, the only true team event in ProRodeo, requires close cooperation and timing between two highly skilled ropers - a header and a heeler - and their horses. The event originated on ranches when cowboys needed to treat or brand large steers and the task proved too difficult for one man.

The key to success? Hard work and endless practice. Team roping partners must perfect their timing, both as a team and with their respective horses.

Similar to tie-down ropers and steer wrestlers, team ropers start from the boxes on each side of the chute from which the steer enters the arena. The steer gets a head start determined by the length of the arena.

Team ropers such as Joe Beaver and Travis Tryan spend long hours perfecting their timing with each other and their horses. One end of a breakaway barrier is attached to the steer and stretched across the open end of the header’s box. When the steer reaches his advantage point, the barrier is released, and the header takes off in pursuit, with the heeler trailing slightly further behind. The ropers are assessed a 10-second penalty if the header breaks the barrier before the steer completes his head start. Some rodeos use heeler barriers too.

The header ropes first and must make one of three legal catches on the steer around both horns, around one horn and the head or around the neck. Any other catch by the header is considered illegal and the team is disqualified. After the header makes his catch, he turns the steer to the left and exposes the steer’s hind legs to the heeler. The heeler then attempts to rope both hind legs. If he catches only one foot, the team is assessed a five-second penalty. After the cowboys catch the steer, the clock is stopped when there is no slack in their ropes and their horses face one another.

Another important aspect to the event is the type of horses used by the ropers. The American quarter horse is the most popular among all timed-event competitors, particularly team ropers. Heading horses generally are taller and heavier because they need the power to turn the steer after it is roped. Heeling horses are quick and agile, enabling them to better follow the steer and react to it moves.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

MICHAEL RAY

For Michael Ray, music is his grandfather singing and sweating on a rural Florida stage. It’s the childhood refuge he found during the pain of his parent’s divorce.

It’s family and stories, history and hope. Ray says music saved him, but it did even more: Music made him. In five short years, Ray has built an impressive foundation: four No. 1 songs – RIAA Platinum-certified “Think a Little Less,” RIAA Platinumcertified “Whiskey And Rain,” RIAA Gold-certified “Kiss You in the Morning,” RIAA Goldcertified “One That Got Away” – plus “Get to You” and “Her World or Mine,” brings his tally to four Gold-certified singles. Ray has garnered over 1 billion global streams, over 650,000 album equivalents, over 100 million YouTube views, and has performed at the Grand Ole Opry over 65 times. Now, two hit albums into that all-too-rare blend of critically acclaimed and commercially successful career, Ray has released Higher Education, a seven-song collection produced by GRAMMY-nominated producer Ross Copperman. Proof that heartbroken wallowing can feel good if it swings, “Whiskey And Rain” marked his first multi-week No. 1, cementing Ray as the ideal bridge between vintage country cool and modern country’s best sounds. The latest single “Holy Water” from Higher Education is currently climbing the charts at Country radio. The Warehouse Sessions live EP is available now and Ray recently released a cover of Tracy Lawrence’s “Time Marches On” from his upcoming The Bootleggers Sessions EP. For more information, visit MichaelRayMusic.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter @MichaelRayMusic and Facebook. com/MusicMichaelRay.

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

EAGLES RONSTADT EXPERIENCE

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The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971. The founding members were Glenn Frey (guitars, vocals), Don Henley (drums, vocals), Bernie Leadon (guitars, vocals) and Randy Meisner (bass guitar, vocals). With five number-one singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and six numberone albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and Hotel California, were ranked among the 20 best-selling albums in the United States according to the Recording Industry Association of America. By 2006, both albums were among the top three best-selling albums in the United States.

Back in 2014, Linda Ronstadt recounted how a legendary rock band came to be.

Glenn Frey and Don Henley knew each other before they joined Linda Ronstadt’s band in 1971. But it was that time together that led to the formation of the Eagles later that year.

Upon the publication of her 2014 autobiography Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir – two years prior to the death of Glenn Frey on Monday (Jan. 18) at age 67 -- Ronstadt told Billboard about the adventure of incubating the Eagles. “[Producer] John Boylan was very active in helping me put a band together in those days.

He knew all the musicians, and apparently Don Henley had already sent him some songs he had written. He’d heard me sing, he’d heard my records, he wanted to meet me and he came to L.A. hoping he could, and he had written some songs he hoped maybe I’d record. He sent them to John and they didn’t turn out to be good songsEAGLES for me at theRONSTADT time, but I heardEXPERIENCE him play the drums I wasof walking through the room at the Troubadour and I thought he was such The iswhen a band a good drummer. Hemusicians had country mixed with rock a way that to didn’t compromisean either genre. So I said, ‘Let’s see if we can get him to accomplished dedicated toinbringing audiences play drums,’ and John went to talk to him and he said, ‘All right.’ exciting concert experience of the two most iconic and popular “So we hired [Henley] to play drums. And then I needed a guitar player. I couldn’t take Bernie Leadon because he was working with the artists of Rock: Linda & I’ll The With a repertoire Flying Burrito Brothers, so I Ronstadt said ‘All right, getEagles.

Glenn Frey.

He can play really good guitar.’ I was living with J.D. Souther then, and of chart topping ERE lead and harmonyThey were kind of breaking up; they decided to go their [Frey] was J.D.’s musichits, partner.

Theyhas had outstanding a group called Longbranch Pennywhistle. vocalists, poppin’ rhythm section, soaring andGlenn soulful separate ways,abut they were still really good friends.

So I asked if he guitar would come on that tour with us.

Eagles’ DonaHenley Glenn Frey: ‘He Wasstage Like a persona.

Brother to Me’ solos and warmonand welcoming Audiences of thoseare dayscaptivated we didn’t haveby enough money to put people in separate rooms, Glenn and Don were rooming together and they each all“In ages ERE’s authentic performance andsorediscovered the could sing and was amade great songwriter. used totwo call Don his secret weapon. He said, ‘I’m gonna do a band with creation of other the timeless songs popularGlenn by these great Don. We’re gonna do a band together.’ I said, ‘That’s a great idea.’ artists.

“So we all talked about it. John said, ‘I can help you do this. I can help you put this band together, and while you’re waiting to get a record RONSTADT VID O : kinds of situations where it was in everybody’s advantage. So I deal, you can EAGLES play with Linda and you can EXPERIENCE have a gig.’ It was one ofEthose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFAz5pRF0jM&fbclid=IwAR0WfvqPcBhvOIn76q_nI28MiVBp suggested they get Bernie Leadon to play guitar because I liked Bernie and John suggested that they get Randy Meisner, and that’s how the ZAqYuqCwMKjqDU0Jn8qfke71TDf7XXI Eagles were formed.

“They used to rehearse in my house, where I was living with J.D., because we had a bigger living room than they did. And I remember coming home one day and they had rehearsed ‘Witchy Woman’ and they had all the harmonies worked out, four-part harmonies. It was fantastic. I knew it was gonna be a hit. You could just tell. They had really strong voices, really strong playing, really strong songwriting ideas and they had an extended pool of songwriters like Jack Tempchin and J.D. Souther and Jackson Browne. It was just an amazing time.

There was no way they could miss with all that going for them.”

Now, Eagles Ronstadt Experience remakes the biggest hits of The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt performed by some of the world’s finest Musicians. This tremendous tribute to the writing, performance, style and sound of the California country, folk, and rock music superstars has been carefully and thoughtfully re-created for the highest entertainment value. Most of these musicians grew up listening, learning, and passionately playing and singing along to what is now truly A phenomenon worth recreating. Enjoy the journey as they take you on the “Experience”... the “Eagles Ronstadt Experience”.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

EROS & THE DRIFTERS Giving the RGV some Texas country music love, based out of McAllen Texas, Eros & The Drifters are a young Country band of college students applying a new sound to the Rio Grande Valley country scene. Playing bars and Honky Tonks across the Valley from Brownsville to Mission, Tx. For the past 2 years of composing, performing, and entertaining around south Texas, with goals to improve their work and eventually take their sound upstate!

Understanding that they would not have come as far as they have without the support from the Honky Tonk kings and queens of the RGV.

2023 EVENT STAGE LINEUP AT ACTIVITY AREA ASHLEY FALLS BAND

CONJUNTO HALCON

THE CHRIS RIVERA BAND

FRIDAY, FEB 17TH - 5:30 – 7:00 PM SATURDAY, FEB 18TH 6:20 - 7:30PM

SATURDAY, FEB 18TH - 1:00 – 2:00PM

SATURDAY, FEB 18TH - 2:20 – 3:20PM

PERFECT STRANGERS

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RGV GET-R-DONE BLUEGRASS BAND ROUND UP

SATURDAY, FEB 18TH - 3:40 – 4:40PM

SATURDAY, FEB 18TH - 5:00 – 6:00PM

SUNDAY, FEB 19TH - 11:00 – 3:00PM

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

2022 PRO RODEO COWBOYS WORLD STANDINGS All Around Cowboy Stetson Wright Milford, UT

585,849.67

$

Bull Riding Stetson Wright Milford, UT

592,143.66

$

Steer Wrestling Tyler Waguespack Gonzales, LA

268,881.34

$

BareBack Riding Jess Pope

Waverly, KS

390,620.11

$

Steer Roping J. Tom Fisher Andrews, TX

123,476.77

$

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

Team Roping Header 340,708.23

$

Kaleb Driggers Hoboken, GA

Team Roping Heeler Junior Nogueira 340,708.23 Presidente Prudente, SP

$

Breakaway Roping 130,303.91

$

Martha Angelone

Stephenville, TX

Saddle Bronc Riding 399,915.64

$

Zeke Thurston Big Valley, AB

Tie Down Roping 374,736.70

$

Caleb Smidt Bellville, TX

Barrel Racing 302,172.27

$

Hailey Kinsel

Cotulla, TX

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

ROPING DIVISIO BREAKAWAY ROPING

Breakaway roping is a variation of calf roping, where a calf is roped, however the calf is not tied or thrown during the event. The event features a competitor on horseback racing after a calf when it is released from a spring-loaded chute. The calf gains a head start from a light rope fastened from the chute to the calf’s neck, releasing once the calf is well away from the chute and releasing the barrier. If the horse goes too soon and breaks the barrier, a 10 second penalty is added to her time.

The Cowgirl attempts to throw a rope around its neck as quickly as possible. The rope the rider uses to subdue the calf is tied to the horn of the saddle by a string, and the calf eventually reaches a point when it runs out of rope. When the rope is pulled tight, it breaks the string, thus ending the run.

A flag made from bandana or white cloth is connected to the end of the rope to allow the judge, often called a flagger, to see the exact moment a run has ended. Only one loop is permitted.

The Cowgirl has a 20 second time limit to complete the catch. In 2019 the Professional Cowboys Association (PRCA) started including Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) sanctioned breakaway roping, making it along with the standard WPRA barrel racing the two rodeo events for women.

PRCA PRORODEO PHOTO BY JOE DUTY

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

TIE DOWN ROPING

As with saddle bronc riding and team roping, the roots of tie-down roping can be traced back to the working ranches of the Old West. When calves were sick or injured, cowboys had to rope and immobilize them quickly for veterinary treatment. Ranch hands prided themselves on the speed with which they could rope and tie calves, and they soon turned their work into informal contests.

As the event matured, being a good horseman and a fast sprinter became as important to the competitive tie-down roper as being quick and accurate with a rope.

Today, the mounted cowboy starts from a box, a three-sided fenced area adjacent to the chute holding the calf. The fourth side of the box opens into the arena.

A cowboy’s success in tie-down roping depends in large part on the precise teamwork between him and his horse. The calf receives a head start that is determined by the length of the arena. One end of a breakaway rope barrier is looped around the calf’s neck and stretched across the open end of the box. When the calf reaches its advantage point, the barrier is released. If the roper breaks the barrier before the calf reaches its head start, the cowboy is assessed a 10-second penalty.

The horse is trained to come to a stop as soon as the cowboy throws his loop and catches the calf. The cowboy then dismounts, sprints to the calf and throws it by hand, a maneuver called flanking. If the calf is not standing when the cowboy reaches it, he must allow the calf to get back on its feet before flanking it. After the calf is flanked, the roper ties any three legs together with a pigging string - a short, looped rope he clenches in his teeth during the run.

While the contestant is accomplishing all of that, his horse must pull back hard enough to eliminate any slack in the rope, but not so hard as to drag the calf.

When the roper finishes tying the calf, he throws his hands in the air as a signal that the run is completed.

The roper then remounts his horse, rides forward to create slack in the rope and waits six seconds to see if the calf remains tied. If the calf kicks free, the roper receives no time.

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

BARREL RACING Barrel racing shows off a horse's agility and speed, as well as a rider's skill and control.

Horse and rider speed around a cloverleaf pattern of three barrels, starting and finishing at the same line. Tipping over a barrel during her maneuvering will cost the barrel racer a 5 second penalty and running an incorrect pattern can lead to disqualification.

Electronic timers are used to record elapsed time between the start/finish line.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

MUTTON BUSTIN

Mutton bustin is an event held at rodeos similar to bull riding or bronc riding, in which children ride or race sheep.

In the event, a sheep is held still, either in a small chute or by an adult handler while a child is placed on top in a riding position. Once the child is seated atop the sheep, the sheep is released and usually starts to run in an attempt to get the child off. Often small prizes or ribbons are given out to the children who can stay on the longest. There are no set rules for mutton busting, no national organization, and most events are organized at the local level. The vast majority of children participating in the event fall off in less than 8 seconds. Age, height and weight restrictions on participants generally prevent injuries to the sheep, and implements such as spurs are banned from use.

The practice has been documented as having been introduced to the National Western Stock Show at least by the 1980s when an event was sponsored by Nancy Stockdale Cervi, a former rodeo queen. At that event, children ages five to seven who weighed less than 55 pounds could apply, and ultimately seven contestants were selected to each ride a sheep for six seconds. There are no statistics about the popularity of the sport, but anecdotal reports suggest thousands of children participate in such events every year in the U.S. Supporters consider the event both entertaining and a way to introduce young children to the adult rodeo “rough stock” riding events of bullriding, saddle bronc and bareback riding.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

FAIR & LIVESTOCK SHOW 2023

COWGIRL COMPETITION CONTESTANTS Formal announcement of the new Cowgirl and 1st & 2nd Runner-ups will be at 4PM in the CCFLS Show main arena on Friday, February 17, 2023. The 11 contestants will be introduced and the winners announced. Former 2022 Cowgirl, Avery Fohn will crown the new Cowgirl and Avery Fohn will then be formally crowned by representatives of the PRCA Rodeo as their 2023 Rodeo Queen!

Chloe Esparza San Benito 4H

Clarissa Estevanes Santa Maria FFA

Morgan Stanko Rio Hondo FFA

Olivia Rowe Los Fresnos FFA

Tatum Helmer Harlingen FFA

Josie Flores Los Fresnos FFA

Mia Picazo Santa Maria FFA

RyAnn O’Laughlan Sienna Molina Ag Science Academy Highland Hustlers 4H

Victoria Garza Zoe Aleman Harlingen South FFA Santa Maria FFA

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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THE HISTORY OF RODEO Legend has it that rodeo was born on July 4, 1869 when two groups of cowboys from neighboring ranches met in Deer Trail, CO, to settle an argument over who was the best at performing everyday ranching tasks. That competition is considered to be the first rodeo which evolved into rodeo as we know it today.

Today’s professional rodeo cowboy is a bit different from his 1800s predecessor, but the ideals and showmanship and hard work are still valued by today’s competitors. A cowboy’s standing in the rodeo community is still dependent on his skill with a rope or his ability to ride a bucking animal.

The cowboy code still dictates that a cowboy ought to help his fellow competitors, even though they might be competing for the same paycheck.

While some things have changed since the last century, most of the changes have been for the better.

Now the cowboy travels much of the time in custom-made rigs or flies from one rodeo to another either by commercial airline or charter plane.

Marketing and business acumen have become as crucial as roping, wrestling or riding skills. Cowboys are competing for more money then ever before.

Even if a PRCA member doesn’t have the inclination to spend more than 200 days a year on the road in search of a berth in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - the sport’s championship - he can participate in one of many rodeos close to home each year. Over 600 are held throughout the country year-round, from small town venues to arenas in Las Vegas.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) was created almost by accident in 1936 when a group of cowboys walked out of a rodeo at the Boston Gardens to protest the actions of rodeo promoter W.T. Johnson, who refused to add the cowboys’ entry fees to the rodeo’s total purse.

Johnson finally gave in to the cowboys’ demands, and the successful “strike’’ led to the formation of the Cowboys’ Turtle Association.

The cowboys chose that name because, while they were slow to organize, when push finally came to shove, they weren’t afraid to stick their necks out to get what they wanted.

In 1945, the Turtles changed their name to the Rodeo Cowboys Association, and in 1975, the organization became the PRCA. The PRCA staff consists of about 70 full-time employees, but grows to nearly 100 during the peak rodeo season. The PRCA headquarters, established in 1979 in Colorado Springs also houses the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboys.

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33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

WILD SIDE RODEO

THE OF WELCOME PBF PROTECTION BULLFIGHTING Professional Bull Fighters Tour continues at Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo

ABOUT THE PBF

the wreck before it happens by spotting little things that cause the bull rider to be bucked off and possibly hooked.

Sometimes there is nothing they can do to prevent the injury but are engaged in the wreck distracting the bull to give the bull rider a chance to escape.

HANG - UPS: When the bull rider gets hung up, the bullfighters will work as a team, with one getting the bulls head under control, while the second bullfighter goes to the riders hand and works to free it from the rope.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: The danger factor of not only the bull, but also the situation. A horned bull PROTECTION BULLFIGHTING: The bullfighters that hooks will have a higher degree of difficulty than a compete as two-man teams in protection bullfighting. The muley bull that hooks. Many times the difficulty lies in bullfighters work as a team to maintain protective coverage the situation the bull rider is in, such as a hangup, where for the bull riders escape. The bullfighters teamwork is the bullfighters have to expose themselves to risk more. crucial, they must be able to react to each others moves to AGGRESSIVENESS: The bullfighters’ aggressiveness maintain a parallel position on either side of the bull at all to the action taking place during and after the ride. times. One wrong move or misread could be dangerous SHOWMANSHIP: The ability to take the situation and make it entertaining for the audience. for both the bull riders and the bullfighters.

Conceived by a handful of visionary bullfighters with the goal to grow the sport of bullfighting through education, competition and sound marketing strategy, the Professional Bullfighters Inc. is the premier bullfighters organization in the United States. With the growth of Professional Bull Riding into mainstream sports, a competition for protection bullfighters was not only imminent in coming it is demanded as a process to bring the elite bullfighting athletes to the forefront of the industry while setting standards to maintain quality control within the sport.

JUDGING CRITERIA

TURNING BULLS BACK: The ability to engage the bull to make him turn back and spin, if needed, to gain the rider more points.

DISMOUNT POSITIONING: To be in the right place when the bull rider dismounts takes precision timing and a great deal of bull savvy. The bull dictates where the bullfighters will be at all times during the ride. The bullfighters must be able to react instinctively to the bull’s actions to be able to give the bull rider the best possible opportunity to escape unharmed.

HOOKING PREVENTION: The bullfighters analyze not only every move the bull makes but the rider, too. By doing so many times the bullfighters can prevent

SCORING

The teams each compete on an equal number of bulls.

They will be given a cumulative score on each section of bulls. The scoring is different than other rodeo events in that Protection is not scored on a 1-100 scale for each bull. Instead each technical maneuver that the bullfighters make has a point value. The maximum points that can be earned on a single bull are 18 points per judge. The judging is performed by Professional Bullfighters as they are the only person capable of reading a situation and determining if the bullfight team was at the right place performing the right maneuvers based upon the action taking place.

33rd Annual Los Fresnos Rodeo

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