 On The Line -- Issue 687 -- May 16, 2008  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 687 -- May 16, 2008 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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One of the most anticipated annual events in San Benito County is the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo that is traditionally held in the last weekend of June. The 75th is to be staged at Bolado Park June 27-29. The action begins at 7 p.m. on the first day, and at 1:30 p.m. the other two.
Although it will be the 75th staging, the event began in the late 1920s, its first year as part of the county fair. When the fair grounds near the high school were flooded the following year, officials received permission from Julia Bolado Ashe to hold it on land given her by her father. The rodeo was not held during the World War II years but resumed after peace was restored. Mrs. Ashe left the land to the state with the proviso it be used for recreation and would be named for her father. Five generations of some local families have participated in the rodeo over the years, and members of the governing Saddle Horse Association see that standards are kept high. The rodeo is on of the best small ones in the state, and only residents, people who work in the county or those who own local businesses may participate. The earliest board members had been raised on ranches where they learned the skills of the vaquero, including roping. The Figure 8 toss, so called because the lariat catches the horns of a steer and turns to ensnare its front legs, is known in other rodeos in the state as "the San Benito toss." Much time, work and planning go into each show, and many of the department heads, board members and volunteers have turned out for years to assure its continuing success. Planning increases as spring arrives. A critique is held soon after the rodeo ends for the year. Many local residents start thinking about it soon after Easter and by May start counting the days until it arrives. The earliest harbinger is the annual pre-rodeo dinner put on at the Blue Room Restaurant at Bolado Park. It was held on May 12 this year and included about 80 attendants, including rodeo officials or friends and community leaders. It is a casual gathering, with many of those there friends or neighbors or both of most of the others. Social hour began at 6 and people mingled, talked, laughed and reminisced about past rodeos and participants. Fulton Picetti, who will be 92 in August, recalled old days. He resigned a few years ago from the board after having served on it since the 1940s, shortly after wartime service. Bill Hawkins was also on hand. Hawkins' father, Tom Hawkins, was one of the best-known ranchers in the county, a man of vision and generosity. Bill and his late brother, Tom Jr., carried on in the way of their father. Another member of the Hawkins family, Jim Hawkins, was on hand with his wife, Sharon, whose smile has pleased her many friends for many years. (A former resident once remarked that every time he saw Jim, he thought of Jim Hawkins, the boy hero of "Treasure Island." The Hodges family was well represented with James Hodges, son of the late Russell Hodges, a long-time member of the Saddle Horse Show, and his sister, Ann Strickland, there with husband, Bob Strickland. Mrs. Strickland is on the staff of Kelley Ferreira, executive manager of Bolado Park. Another relative present was Mark Fancher, son of Fern Fancher, a cousin of the Hodges, He and wife, Cynthia Fancher, and their staff prepare and serve the traditional dinner and did so again this year. Leonard Poletti, attending for the first time, saw his sister, Helen Casillas, who was attending with three of her brothers-in-laws, Emilio, Paul and Frank Casillas. Her husband, Manny Casillas, died two years ago. When dinner was announced at 7 p.m., a queue immediately formed and everyone picked up a plate and filled it with slices of a wonderful beef roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, salad and bread and butter. The servings were generous and those who wanted more got more. Talk and laughter continued during the dinner. Poletti was seated at the same table with Ron Rodrigues and Ed Rollins. Rodrigues and Poletti brought up memories from their boyhood and Rollins smiled appreciatively at their laughter. Seated at the next table were Paul and Willene Wattis and their friends, Reb and Jill Monaco. Their friendship is an old and comfortable one and they often attend social functions together. Mike O'Connell took the podium during the meal and asked the five candidates for Miss San Benito Rodeo to come forward. They are Lanie Abercrombie, Leanna Cegilia, Tanya Dubrai, Danielle Escover and Ally Kimes. Miss San Benito Rodeo will be determined on June 7 at 9 a.m. at the fairgrounds. Amanda Jacobsen was also introduced. After winning last year, she took a similar honor at the Salinas Rodeo, then in further competition took the state title. She received a hearty round of applause. O'Connell pointed out that the current edition of "Western Horseman" carries an article on the local rodeo, with three or four photographs accompanying it. "It's a must-read," he said.. Many other diners circulated before leaving for home. They included Greg Thul, who retired as a sergeant from the Hollister Police Department a few years back after suffering an accident on the job. Also very much present was Donna Pfeiffer, Dave Grimes and Charlie and Josie Gallegos, all with a number of friends present. Steve Johnson had something to say to everyone, and the irrepressible Fred Flook asked of Poletti, "What do you call a dog with no legs?" Poletti said he didn't know, and Flook responded, "It doesn't matter what you call him. He won't come." As people pulled out of the parking lot, they were waving and smiling at their friends getting into their vehicles for the ride home. It had been a good evening and a good beginning to the rodeo season in San Benito County. |
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