Spring 2019
Published by News Media Corporation | CALIFORNIA EDITION
SPRING 2019
CONTENTS Guinness Book of World Records Lasso record set...........................3 Riding season opens..................................................................................4 Guest Columnist Lucy Jensen..................................................................5 Rose Escobar named 2019 Miss Salinas Valley Fair....................................................................6 2019 Miss California Rodeo Salinas........................................................6 California Rodeo celebrates cowboy culture April 27.......................6 All-Around Champions named at annual Ranch Rodeo....................7
EQUINE E N T H U S I A S T ™ EDITORIAL Brian Williams | Editor (805) 466-2585 ext. 1112 bwilliams@atascaderonews.com ADVERTISING SALES SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA VENTURA COUNTIES: Callie King | Marketing Associate (805) 237-6060 ext. 1127 cking@pasoroblespress.com Adriana Novack | Marketing Associate (805) 466-2585 ext. 1115 anovack@atascaderonews.com
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Guinness Book of World Records lasso record set at California Rodeo Salinas Will Roberts had most people in spinning lasso on July 19, 2018
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Will Roberts successfully fits 13 people in his spinning lasso, a new World Record, at last year’s California Rodeo Salinas. -Photo by Mag One Media STAFF REPORT SALINAS — Guinness Book of World Records recently confirmed that the World Record for the most people inside a spinning loop was set by Will Roberts at the California Rodeo Salinas on July 19, 2018. A western rope artist, actor and entertainer, Will Roberts successfully fit 13 people in his spinning lasso. The record was set at the Salinas Sports Complex on the track before the first performance of the California Rodeo Salinas in 2018. Several attempts were made before Roberts successfully held the loop; he is proud of his achievement and said, “What an honor to break this world record at my favorite rodeo in the United States of America. The
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California Rodeo Salinas defines rodeo and the American cowboy. I couldn’t be more thrilled that this happened in Salinas.” Roberts will entertain fans on the grounds during the 109th California Rodeo Salinas July 18-21 in Salinas and will make promotional appearances those days as well. Visit www.CARODEO.com for event information. Video of the record being set, captured by Mag One Media, can be viewed online at https://youtu. be/A405eQjbyq4.
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Riding season open at Montana De Oro BY CAMAS FRANK LOS OSOS — Various trip planning websites habitually urge lovers of the great outdoors and riders who want to experience them with equine companions to book a reservation early for sites in California State Parks. While multiday camping can be booked for $25 a night, the reservations become mandatory in the Central Coast’s Montana de Oro campgrounds starting in the theoretical busy season of mid-May. The camp hosts who live on site, however, report that California’s Super Bloom in the high country has already let the secret out about spring’s arrival in the State and their busy season has started already. Reservations are now a must for tent and trailer campers, who include those traveling cross country as well as groups taking an evening away from nearby California Polytechnic University, but that’s nothing new for horse lovers who’ve nearly always had to book their stays in advance. Folks like Atascadero resident Dee Hazelton, who has volunteered her time with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Posse for more than
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20 years, have found ways to visit the beautiful oceanside park often through the years with group trips. Hazelton’s group had a three-day reservation at the ‘Oak’ Equine Campground off of Hazard Canyon Road April in mid-April, coincidentally coinciding with the Park’s volunteer project work day for Earth Day. While Rangers focused on improvements for visitors along frequently used mountain bike trails and the level bluffs where visitors have even been known to take a stroller, the horse sites — Lupine, Sage, Chamise, Manzanita, Oak. and Madrone — benefited from a water system upgrade last year with a cistern, piping and throughs. The aqua is still nonpotable to humans though, however, a barbecue pit and toilets have been installed as a concession to the human guests. “I think this is just the best site ever,” Hazelton said referring to the suite of facilities, and noting that their group was saddened to see a reservation go unused at the Madrone site, noting that there was overnight paddock space for about 20 horses at the semi-private site, “in five minutes you can be in the mountains or
along the beach or down in the sand.” A multi-day excursion allows more exploration along all of the park’s biomes and she added, a chance to interact with the park’s other guests. “I can’t tell you about everyone’s experiences but we’re used to people who’d maybe never seen a horse before with the Sheriff’s Posse,” she said, “making introductions coming up and petting them, that sort of thing.” It’s a delicate balance, as Camp Host Elizabeth DeRoos noted, “horse people are very protective of their critters, we ask everyone in the [Islay] campground to follow the rules and not intrude on others already,” she added that they maintain a quiet neighborhood feeling, but the horses, bikers and hikers meet each other regularly on the trails, and signs point to proper yield etiquette. So far, said DeRoos, the only major issue guests have reported this Spring is disappointment that dogs are no longer allowed, leashed or otherwise, on most trails. Well behaved “good boys” are still welcome at basecamp, however. For site availability, go online to www. reservecalifornia.com/CaliforniaWebHome/ SPRING 2019 | Published by News Media Corporation
Sir Winston White Horse and all the love he gave BY LUCY JENSEN Guest Columnist
I rushed home after a 10-hour flight from Europe with an eighthour time difference. He was in his stable; something was wrong. He didn’t want the salted caramel biscuits I had toted home from across the world. He looked so much older. His eyes were hooded and flanks shrunken in. His back was curved and I could see his ribs. Something was very, very wrong with my gorgeous boy. The next morning, I gave him a good groom and tried to encourage him to eat. Something was wrong with his mouth and his head was swollen. Emergency vet time. They came over quickly and, hoping there was something in the way that limited his ability to eat, they sedated him and put on the jaw openers to see what might be the issue. The vet showed me the massive tumor on his inside cheek and another one on his tongue. “Let’s hope it’s not melanoma,” she tells me all matter-of-fact, and I find it hard to hold back the tears. How could this happen in such a short period of time? I leave for a week and then I come back to this? They made him comfortable and promised me blood test results by the end of the day. That would be the telling thing, we all knew that. He tried to nibble on the grass and the senior grain he loved, but it was obvious he was in some considerable discomfort.
“Oh Win,” I sighed, feeling the foreboding crawl of grieving anxiety take over me like a dark cloud of gloom. I sang him his favorite songs — “Edelweiss” from “The Sound of Music” and “On the Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady.” He loved his music so much — it would send him into a dreamlike trance. Someone in his former life had sung to him and been kind. I kissed his soft muzzle and told him that he would always be king of the hill, forever my bestest boy, my first and only horse, my best friend. He nickered softly, as if to say, “I know, Mum. I love you too, but I’m tired. You need to let me go.” The results came back and they were not good at all. His liver was failing, everything was tumbling, spiraling down. He likely had lymphoma as well as all the other stuff. The emergency vet told me she recommended we put him to sleep. I spoke to Win’s own vet and couldn’t help bawling down the phone to her (that, I’m sure, was really helpful after a long day’s work). She knew how much I loved him, how ours was not an “ordinary” horse-rider relationship. “Let’s take it day by day,” she tells me. “Maybe he will rally some with the medication. That can happen.” I cheered, imagining that we would get a few more days together to go back through all the memories, to imprint further our love and trust of one another. Early the next morning, there was further decline and he was starting to suffer. I knew what I had to do; not a call you ever want to make. They came quickly and soon my beautiful noble steed, my Winning Boy, was lying on the ground, his legs in running position, his face peaceful and serene in the warm morning sun. I sang him his beloved songs once again, kissed his sweet muzzle and told him he would always live with me, always be at Solace, the place where he found his forever home steeped in love and
security eight short years ago. I would take him back to his favorite beach where he liked to roll after a good ride and I would be sure and put him down on his luscious “basin” now rich with spring grasses — a place where he would have been headed next week, when we opened the gates to the seven acres, rich with spring grasses. Winston Sebastian Churchill Mason Jensen would be cremated, soon to return home again forever. That was the only way I could think of letting him out of my sight. The outpouring of love and grief from across the world flooded in. Winston had been the wonder horse to so many people. Who knew that a big old rescue horse could inspire such a response. It made my heart so full. The day Winston’s spirit left his body and cantered to live inside my heart for always, we received a call that an injured dog was on the road just down from our house. Off we went, despite our grief and my flowing tears. He had been abandoned with a fractured leg and left to fend for himself. The poor sweet boy was so happy someone stopped to pick him up. I gave him some treats and he kissed me all the way to the vet’s office. We immediately called him Winston and will be pulling him from County this week to nurse him back to good health at Solace, before he finds his forever family that will never give up on him; one that will adore him, just as we adored our Winston. The circle of life has some interesting curves along the way. Our hearts are tender and aching, but they are full. All the animals at Solace felt enormous loss this week and showed their sadness and respect in different ways. Thanks to all of you who reached out to our family during these difficult days. Lucy Jensen can be contacted at lumajen1@aol.com.
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Entries for the 2019 Miss California Rodeo Salinas contest close on May 6. SALINAS — Young ladies who are passionate about the western lifestyle and promoting the rodeo industry can run for the title of Miss California Rodeo Salinas and become an ambassador for the largest professional rodeo in the state. Entries for the 2019 contest close on May 6. The competition is open to young women between 18 and 21 years of age. The winner will receive a $2,500 academic scholarship, a gold
Contributed Photo of Gary Robertson
and silver trophy belt buckle and the use of a twohorse trailer for one year. Full contest details and a digital application form can be found at www.carodeo.com/p/aboutus/mcrs/2019-miss-california-rodeo-contestentry-info. The contest is sponsored by the official hotel partner of the California Rodeo Salinas, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Salinas.
California Rodeo celebrates cowboy culture April 27
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Photo by Richard Wilso
Cowboys, Cocktails, Rhythm and Rhymes
Rose Escobar named Fair ey 2019 Miss Salinas Vall KING CITY — Four young women vied for the crown in the 2019 Miss Salinas Valley Fair contest, and when the final judge’s sheet was tallied, Rose Escobar of Spreckles came out on top to represent the organization. Escobar, 16, competed March 15 and 16 alongside August LaMacchia of Lockwood, Nicole Reynolds of Atascadero and Sydney Gray of Salinas. Each of the
returns to Fox Theater in Salinas
four contestants were judged on personality, scholastic ability, poise and appearance and horsemanship during the two-day competition. “I am looking forward to working with Rose to promote our 75th Salinas Valley Fair this spring,” said Darla Mantel, competition coordinator of the contest. “She is a skilled horsewoman and poised speaker capable of delivering an engaging invitation to inspire attendance to our Fair.” Escobar, daughter of Gary and Cheri Escobar, is a junior with the Monterey County Home Charter School. One of her dreams is to run for Miss California Rodeo Salinas and have the opportunity to represent the Salinas Valley western way of life. She has participated in the Pageant of Flags at the 2018 California Rodeo and also rode in the event’s grand entry parade in 2017. Her future plans are to study equine dentistry and one day to open her own equine training and rehabilitation facility. Escobar was crowned March 16 following a barbecue lunch, hosted by the Salinas Valley Fair Board, at the fairgrounds’ Orradre Building in King City. Dominque Mantel, a former Miss Salinas Valley Fair and 2016 Miss Rodeo Glennville, was emcee for the event. Also on hand was 2018 Miss Salinas Valley Fair Teagan Soares, who assisted with distribution of prizes and crowned this year’s winner. Soares is currently attending Feather River College in Quincy, Calif., where she studies agriculture and participates on the College Rodeo team. As Miss Salinas Valley Fair, Escobar receives a $2,000 scholarship, Miss Salinas Valley Fair buckle, jacket, concho pin, leather portfolio and other prizes from area donors. She will also reign over the 75th annual Salinas Valley Fair in King City set for May 1619 and will have the opportunity to represent the fair in the Miss California Rodeo contest in Salinas this summer.
-Staff Report
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SALINAS — For the second year, the California Rodeo’s celebration of cowboy culture, now deemed Cowboys, Cocktails, Rhythm and Rhymes, will head downtown Saturday, April 27, to the Fox Theater at 241 Main St. in Old Town Salinas. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with an open mic session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the show at 6:30 p.m. The event, presented by Joe Panziera Farm, will be headlined by cowboy poet Gary Robertson, with tales full of western folklore and the time-honored cowboy spirit. Robertson’s unique and poignant storytelling ability has made him a popular performer at gatherings throughout the west. Also featured will be award-winning singer-songwritermusician Gary Allegretto, who along with his harmonica will offer a one-of-a-kind performance. Other entertainers include Texas native Ed Montana, best known in Salinas for writing the California Rodeo’s signature song, “Saddle Up Salinas.” Joining the list will also be the 31st elected Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal and Clem Albertoni, who will emcee the event while mixing in some of his colorful cowboy poetry. Tickets for Cowboys, Cocktails, Rhythm and Rhymes are available online at www.carodeo.com/events/2019/ cowboypoetry2019 or in person at the Salinas Sports Complex Box Office, which is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Part of the proceeds benefit the Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries. The evening will also showcase three young poets demonstrating their creative-writing skills. -Staff Report
SPRING 2019 | Published by News Media Corporation
All-Around Champions named at annual Ranch Rodeo
The Wallace family gathers around the Allan Wallace Memorial Saddle at the Ranch Rodeo. KING CITY — Monterey County Ranch Rodeo drew 116 participants from the Central Coast and paid out nearly $14,000 in prize money to winners at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds’ Rava Equestrian Center in King City. The 2019 Ranch Rodeo, a partnership between the Salinas Valley Fair and Monterey County Cattlemen’s Association, promotes spirited competition between working cattlemen and cattlewomen while celebrating western traditions. One Ranch Rodeo tradition is to recognize a local cattleman in memoriam at the event. This year’s event on Jan. 13 was dedicated in memory of Allan Wallace, known locally for being the ranch manager at Topo Ranch in King City for nearly 30 years. The top prize was named in his honor, and many of Wallace’s family and friends were on hand that day to celebrate him during a brief ceremony. The 2019 All-Around Champion and winner of the Alan Wallace Memorial Running P Saddle was Danny Leslie of Paso Robles. Lacy Bourdet captured the title of 2019 Ladies All-Around Champion, receiving a custom leather boot bag crafted by Brian Ames of Silver Star Ranch. Through the support of local businesses and individuals, buckles were awarded to the following firstplace winners of each event: Cut and Rope — Garret Boekenoogan and Danny Leslie; Open Steer Stopping — Danny Leslie; Cattle Sorting — Billy Aviles, Tom
Martinus and Wyatt Bourdet; Open Calf Branding — Joe Spencer, Bryan Bobsin, Bert Ferrasci and Colton Miller; Over 50 Calf Branding — Sam Avila and Alison Grantham; Ladies Calf Branding — Alison Grantham and Lacy Bourdet; Jr. Calf Branding — Sarah Brewen and Tatum Hurley; and Match Calf Branding — Todd Sans, Brody Sans, Joe Spencer and Colton Miller. Youth ages 2 to 10 also participated in rodeo events, including dummy roping, stick horse races and boot races, with first-place winners receiving buckles. Elsa Sabin won the Kids Stick Horse Race for those 4 to 6 years old, while Brycen Escobar captured the buckle for the Kids Boot Race. In the hotly contested Dummy Roping for youth ages 5 to 10, Royce Brown came out on top. New this year was the Salinas Valley Fair Junior Fairboard Ribbon Roping challenge. Mario Sanchez of King City won the event with an eightsecond run to take home the prize. “Salinas Valley Fair and Monterey County Cattlemen’s Association is especially thankful for all the cattlemen and cattlewomen that volunteered to put on the event, the Salinas Valley Fair Junior Fairboard crew and the donation of cattle from David Wood of Wood’s Livestock and the Topo Ranch,” said Fair CEO TJ Plew. The 2020 Ranch Rodeo is tentatively set for Jan. 12, 2020, at the fairgrounds in King City.
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