Bolado Park in San Benito County will host the 70th annual
Saddle Horse Show Rodeo and Fair June 28-29. The park, nine miles
south of Hollister and one mile past Tres Pi
ños, is owned by the State of California and operated by the 33
District Agricultural Association (DAA).
Bolado Park in San Benito County will host the 70th annual Saddle Horse Show Rodeo and Fair June 28-29.
The park, nine miles south of Hollister and one mile past Tres Piños, is owned by the State of California and operated by the 33 District Agricultural Association (DAA).
Its participants are amateur cowgirls and cowboys 6 and older. The show covers everything from early Spanish heritage of the County through the present day ranch life
The rodeo itself consists of regular events, such as bull riding, saddle bronco riding, calf roping, team roping, a wild horse race and bulldogging. There are events held especially for the show. They include classes for the junior contestants 15 years old and under such as outfit class and working bridal horse class. Events for the over 15 group include a stake race, family team roping, cowhide and circular track horse races.
Each year the directors attempt to add a special attraction to the performance. In 1991, the directors added a rodeo queen contest. This contest is open to all young women in the county between the ages of 16 and 20.
The show has become a popular occasion for San Benito County. Entries usually average 400 per year. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are hard to come if they are not bought early.
Bolado Park has an event which is completely unique to the show, called the figure-eight roping contest. A mounted cowboy chases a steer and attempts to rope it around the horns and catch the front feet in a double loop in the shape of a figure-eight. The loop must catch the horns, cross over under the animal’s neck and catch both front feet rendering it helpless.
The art of figure-eight roping is an extremely difficult skill to achieve. The figure-eight roping event began as an exhibition staged by a few old-timers. The event was so popular that it has become a regular contest.
In a short time there were so many entries that eliminations had to be held. Eliminations are a big day in the county, drawing people of all ages. The eliminations are traditionally held on the day of the annual SHA barbecue.
In 1996, the first ever Western Art and Craft Show was staged on Saturday and Sunday in front of the grandstands. Artisans from all over California, displayed their handmade wares. This feature has been expanded to all three days of the show.
The show began in 1929 when a group of early county residents decided to put one on for the hard-working men of the county and their families. A group of prominent local citizens formed the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association (SHA), elected a board of directors and created the original show.
The original directors formed the SHA in 1929 on land allotted by Julia Bolado Davis. The horse show went on as the last day of the county fair. After the second show on Sept. 21, 1930, the fair was discontinued and the horse show and rodeo became the county fair.
In 1937, the 33 DAA was created with the help of State Representative and President of the SHA, Jake Leonard. In 1946, John Baumgarter, Jr., then president and director of the SHA persuaded Davis to donate property. A lease was signed between the SHA and the 33 DAA for use and maintenance of the property.
The SHA and the 33 DAA entered into a second lease agreement in 1973 the turned all improvements over to the State of California and maintenance of the rodeo facility to the SHA.
This year, the directors are adding a Saturday night Family Barbecue to be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the outdoor patio.
For details on tickets for the June 28-29 event, call (831) 637-2927
