horse show classes

OPEN STOCK HORSE

2022 Champion

WILL PENNEBAKER ON IM KINDA SMOOTH

The open bridle horse competition at the California Rodeo features some of the best horses and riders around. The class consists of two portions--- the rein work and fence work. In the rein work, the horse is put through a series of maneuvers including figure 8’s, run downs, stops and spins. In the fence work portion, there are 3 main sections. First the horse and rider must ‘box,’ or keep the steer at one end of the arena, then they must take ‘runs’ down the fence and make turns with the steer going both directions. Finally, the horse and rider circle up the steer in a full circle each way. The event is judged on agility, neatness and control. The horse and rider are scored on both sections with a 60 being the lowest score and an 80 being the highest (combined this would be 120, lowest, and 160, highest).

NON-PRO BRIDLE

2022 Champion

TAMMY JOHNSON ON MR. CEE STREET

This competition runs the same way as open bridle but the rider must be a non-pro, meaning that they do not take money for their services.

Open Hackamore

2022 Champion

TED ROBINSON ON DOLLAR REY

The hackamore is a bit-less bridle consisting of a rawhide noseband and comes from the Spanish word “la jaquima.” This class is for horses no older than 5 years old. Horses showing in the hackamore class are in the 2nd stage of training and will often go on to compete in the open bridle class. The hackamore class consists of two portions – the rein work and the fence work. In the rein work, the horse and rider must ‘box’ the steer at one end of the arena, then they must take ‘runs’ down the fence and make turns going both ways. Finally, the horse and rider circle up the steer in a full circle each way. The event is judged on agility, neatness and control. The horse and rider are scored on both sections with a 60 being the lowest score and an 80 being the highest (combined this would be 120, lowest, and 160, highest).

BUTCH & VIVIEN LINDLEY

Butch and Vivien Lindley were selected as this year’s California Rodeo Committee persons of the year.

The California Rodeo has over 1400 volunteers that serve on over 70 committees. It is the volunteers that make our event happen. Each year our volunteers nominate, from their peers, individuals who go above and beyond in their service to the California Rodeo. From these nominees, the executive committee selects the committee person of the year. This year a couple, Butch and Vivien Lindley, have been selected. Butch and Vivien chair the Cowboy Poetry Committee, serve on the Special Buckaroos committee and are long standing volunteers.

In addition to dedicating their time to the Rodeo, Butch and Vivien are also active with local fair boards, the Boys & Girls Club, and many other non-profits. They also host over 16 people in their home, including all the freestyle bullfighters, during Big Week.