Bull riding event kicks off Big Week in Salinas

By Ketti Wilhelm

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Posted:   07/17/2013 09:20:11 PM PDT

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Robin and Phil Adkins of Corralitos share a blanket Wednesday night at the Professional... ( SCS )

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SALINAS -- The Professional Bull Riding Pro Touring Event held its own Wednesday night at the Salinas Sports Complex as the unofficial kickoff event of the California Rodeo Salinas.

The event filled the stadium as the crowd cheered and country music blared, ushering in the 13th annual PBR event in Salinas.

Mandy Linquist, marketing manager of the California Rodeo Salinas, said the PBR event has always taken place on the Wednesday of Big Week, as rodeo week is known.

"People are already in the Western lifestyle mindset," Linquist said.

"They're busting out their jeans and their cowboys boots and they want to go to as many events as possible this week."

Linquist said about 8,000 people attended last year's PBR event and that ticket sales are slightly up this year.

The event draws cowboys from across the country, as well as some international contestants.

The mood behind the chutes was mixed.

Ryan McConnel, 26, originally from Bloomfield, N.M., was first in line and nervously waited for his chance on Shameless. McConnel was quickly bucked off as his fiancee, Rebekah Zacarias, of Clovis watched from across the arena.

At 26, McConnel said the sport doesn't get any easier with age.

"It gets tough and you don't want to get a lot worse off than you already are," McConnel said.

Sean Willingham, a 32-year-old veteran bull rider from Summerville, Ga., has been a professional in the sport since before the PBR stopped in Salinas and has been riding more than half his life.

"It's a young man's sport, for sure," Willingham said.

Willingham was scheduled to ride a bull named Oops on Wednesday. He waited for his turn at press time for this story.

Early in the program, defending California Rodeo Salinas champion Shane Proctor, 28, of Moorsville, N.C., was in the lead with a score of 86.

Follow Sentinel reporter Ketti Wilhelm on Twitter at Twitter.com/KettiWilhelm

IF YOU GO

California Rodeo Salinas

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
WHERE: Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas
COST: $7 to $20
DETAILS: www.carodeo.com

California Rodeo Salinas kicks off Thursday

By Ketti Wilhelm

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Posted:   07/13/2013 12:01:34 PM PDT

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VERN FISHER/MONTEREY COUNTY HERALD Bray Armes hangs onin the steer wrestling at the California...

SALINAS -- The 103rd annual California Rodeo Salinas begins its four-day run Thursday at the Salinas Sports Complex.

Mandy Linquist, the rodeo's marketing manager, said she's been attending the event her whole life.

"There are people who've been coming here for 60 or 70 years," Linquist said. "It is great to be part of something that's got a legacy like that."

As an appetizer for rodeo fans, the 13th annual Professional Bull Riding Touring Pro Event will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Salinas Sports Complex, the same location as the rodeo.

The rodeo's main events begin 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the performance begins at 1:15 p.m.

Thursday's California Rodeo Salinas will begin with the grand entry and crowning of 2013 Miss California Rodeo. Bull riding will be the first event in the arena and one of this year's speciality acts, Cowboy Kenny's Steel Rodeo Tour, will also debut Thursday and continue for every performance of the rodeo.

Cowboy Kenny is a motocross champion from Oklahoma who will perform a motorcycle jumping act.
Other events include mutton busting, open-ranch doctoring and the traditional rodeo events such as barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping, bull riding and bronc riding.

The Salinas rodeo hasn't always included such an array of events. When the event began, more than a century ago, it was known as the Wild West Show and mostly featured local cowboys and cowgirls riding bucking horses. Still, the show drew crowds of 4,000 strong.

This is the first year motocross has been part of the rodeo.

"We typically try to change up the acts each year to keep it new and fresh," Linquist said.

Linquist said she's expecting 45,000 spectators for the four-day event. Sunday usually draws the largest crowd, about 13,000.

Tickets range from $7 to $20.

Follow Sentinel reporter Ketti Wilhelm on Twitter at twitter.com/KettiWilhelm

IF YOU GO

California Rodeo Salinas

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday Professional Bull Riding Touring Pro, 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
WHERE: Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas
COST: $7 to $20
DETAILS: www.carodeo.com

IF YOU GO

California Rodeo Salinas Carnival

WHEN: 4-10 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday
WHERE: 295 Sun Way, Salinas
COST: $3 to enter, $25 for unlimited rides weekdays, $30 for unlimited rides Saturdays and Sundays
DETAILS: http://www.ittybittyurl.com/Uqb