Despite the drama surrounding this year’s Fiesta rodeo, the show went on … in two locations. For the first time in the history of the Fiesta rodeo, the official Old Spanish Days Stock Horse Show and Rodeo took place outside the city limits at the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center, featuring an amateur rodeo competition. The Earl Warren Showgrounds, where the Old Spanish Days rodeo traditionally had been held, presented this year what it called the Santa Barbara Rodeo Days, run by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Earl Warren’s rodeo featured highly skilled professional ropers and riders who tour around the country competing in traditional timed events. The two-hour show included team and breakaway roping, bronco riding, steer wrestling, bull-riding, barrel racing, and mutton busting. Tickets started at $30 for general admission — more for box seating — plus $20 for parking. Also on the grounds was a free carnival, but with pay-for rides and games, complete with a Ferris wheel. A cash bar and food stands lined the walkways.
Like most PRCA rodeos, the evening began with the unfurling of an enormous American flag as the announcer said a prayer. Between the skilled contests, a rodeo clown bantered with the crowd, performing stunts and encouraging the audience to cheer and drink. The deejay blasted sing-along songs such as “Come on Eileen," with the audience singing the chorus enthusiastically. The announcer threw quippy comments when bull and bronco riders hit the ground. The energy was high among the young crowd, mostly 20 and 30 year olds, a few with kids in tow.
