By MELANIE BIEDEBACH, West Coast Reporter, Rodeo Attitude News
Photos by Andrea Kaus and Gene Hyder
NORCO, California---For the 25th year in a row, The Norco Mounted Posse hosted the 2009 PRCA Rodeo at the George Ingalls Event Center in Norco, California, August 21-23, 2009.
The city with the motto of “City Living in a Rural Atmosphere” lived up to its name with cowboys and cowgirls packing the stands each and every night of the annual rodeo. “This really brings our community together, we all look forward to this event each year since it’s always a fun and exciting show”, said local resident Cynthia Ford-Braemis who’s children have grown-up attending rodeos throughout the Southern California Region. Another rodeo fan interjected with “Where in the world can you bring the entire family for some good old fashioned entertainment that will not break the wallet these days?”
All three nights kicked off with the National Anthem sung by local gals Amy Scruggs, Demaree Alexander and Christina Espinoza with each proving to have star talent.
The Norco based Pacific Coast Junior Bull Riders brought out six of their mutton busters to perform for the crowd each night. These little buckaroos who just got back from the Youth Bull Riding World Finals in Texas, put on a delightful show “grabbing the wool” for a wild ride. Landon Jones who was sporting a broken arm was unscathed as a sheep toppled him on the first night. “I’m tough, I am a cowboy!” said Jones peering through the cage of his helmet. Not one to let the boys out-do her, cowgirl Korina Hopen busted in her pink boots and chaps showing anything boys can do, girls can do better!
One of the most unique and memorable highlights of the Norco Mounted Posse Rodeo is the Challenged Children’s Rodeo (CCR). Each year volunteers help to make a challenged child’s dream come true by partnering them with rodeo cowboys, cowgirls, queens and clowns. The children are then taken through a series of simulated rodeo activities and recognized with awards as a rodeo star. Their faces say it all, as the best part of the show is when each child is given a ride on a real horse. Colleen (C.J.) Jenkins, Children’s Coordinator, says the children not only have an award to show for it, but self esteem, confidence, courage and social interaction. “I have been doing this for the better part of 20 years, and to see what these children get out of it is so rewarding. We have lost some along the way, but we know they are up there watching and cheering” said Jenkins.
Each of the seven PRCA categories had cowboys and cowgirls competing in saddle bronc and bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, team roping and the crowd favorite of bull riding. Bull rider Blake McFann of Pedley, California took home a check for riding Diamond G Rodeo’s “Cat’s Meow” scoring a win for the weekend. Sean Case’s broken jaw did not stop him from coming in 2nd with an impressive 79 point ride Saturday night on Giga Bite. Giga Bite put on a nice show for the crowd doing his best not to head back to the chutes. “He looks madder than a wet hen out there” shouted one old cowpoke from the stands. After much persuasion, he finally gave up and headed back in, but not after chasing down a clown or two.
All-around winner went to Jake Huserik, with Heath Ford on Diamond G Rodeo’s Blue Moon (pictured) taking home $1,125.00 in the Bareback category. Steer Wrestler Ronnie Fields won with 3.9 seconds and in the Team Roping event, Chad Masters/Jade Corkill took it with 4.8 seconds. Saddle Bronc riding showed Taos Muncy (pictured below-left) to be the winner with a nice 81 point ride on Diamond G Rodeo’s Big Star. Tie-down roping saw Hunter Herrin take home a check for $1,398.00 with Melanie Southard winning in the Barrel Racing event with 16.35 seconds.
Stock contractor Diamond G Rodeo’s one goal was to provide quality, family entertainment and from the looks of it, they succeeded. Vice President of Diamond G Rodeos and Flank Girl, Cyndi Gilbert knows her stock well and takes great pride in providing top quality animals for the PRCA, PBR and the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas each year. After 20 years in the business, Mrs. Gilbert says the best compliment she gets is when a cowboy sees her stock and says “I am going to win”. Gilbert says cowboys know they have a fair shot when it comes down to it. “50% is the bull and 50% is the cowboy and I am proud to provide stock that is top notch” she says. “We take great care of our animal’s welfare and being since they are part of our family; not to mention we absolutely love putting a smile on people’s faces and providing excellent family entertainment” said Gilbert.
Professional rodeo announcer Al Parsons kept the crowd entertained while wife Joanie kept things running smooth behind the scenes. Slim Garner, one of America’s funniest Rodeo Clowns had the crowd in stitches and on the edge of theirs seats with his clowning and bull fighting antics.
But the cutest, little fan proved to be one year old Teegan Gorham who was on hand with her dad Jeremy to cheer on mom Robyn Gorham of Temecula, California in the barrel racing event. “Mommy, horsey” pointing to her mom as she raced through the arena.
Even though so many are struggling through tough economic times, The 25th Annual Norco Mounted Posse PRCA Rodeo once again provided some wonderful family fun and entertainment to it’s City Living Community in a Rural Atmosphere. See ya all next year!
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