Red Bluff Round Up Rodeo 2009

This weekend marked the 18th anniversary of the Red Bluff Round Up held at the Tehama County Fairgrounds. Saturday’s sold out crowd of 10,000 brought spectators and contestants from across the United States and Canada.

John Growney, stock contractor and part owner of Growney Bros. Rodeo Company, in Red Bluff, one of five contractors who supplied stock for this weekends event, tipped his hat back a little, and looked out towards the arena noticing the crowd, “I can spot ‘em a mile away… old cowboys who hold on to their past, and come to the rodeo each year to reminisce.” He said. “They all know me… some just want to say hello, and others want to talk about a horse they rode here way back when.”

“Bulls and horses are actually bread for their bucking abilities,” stated Growney, “When they’re young, we work with them… sometimes putting a young bull with an older bull, or a younger horse with an older horse, so that they can gain their confidence. When they gain that confidence, they sometimes actually seem to become a little arrogant.” He smiled, “They all have their own personalities.”

Although controversy exists between the Red Bluff Round Up Association and local media regarding access around the rodeo grounds, photographers as well as journalist alike were granted access to all areas of the rodeo grounds, with the accompaniment of a media wrangler.

“We’re just trying to keep everyone safe - not only the spectators and cowboys, but the media as well.” stated FEMA trained Kris Behrens with the Red Bluff Round Up Association, also one of the many media wranglers. “This is not a PRCA decision. The Association has never had any official ground rules of their own with regards to access, or what to do in case of an emergency… even proper dress behind the shoots has never been established. We don’t want to stop anyone for going somewhere, or interviewing a cowboy. If a photographer or journalist wanted to go to what is considered a ‘restricted area’, we are only there to accompany them to assure that no-one gets hurt. We’ll even take them up to the Skybox. They just have to ask.”

Amanda Casile, a Tehama County photographer stated, “The media wranglers were very helpful, to say the least. They were so polite, and took very good care of all of us. I had my first opportunity to go into the shoots!”

As temperatures rose, fans at the rodeo were offered bottled water, as the announcer laughed, “If you see one of these guys walking around selling water, and you don’t have any money, just tell him to give you a bottle… we haven’t lost anyone yet!”

Quite a few riders from the Tri-County area showed to compete. In barrel racing: Jamie Cook of Willows and Allie Hanne of Williams; Team Roping: Justin Martins of Willows with his partner Ryan Parker of Williams; Steer Wrestling: Brad McGilchrist of Wheatland, Burt Noland of Marysville and Jim Banister of Red Bluff; Tie Down Roping – Jesse Beardsley of Chico; Bull Riding – A.J. Hamre of Chico; Jay Foscalina and Keith Roquemore both of Cottonwood; Bareback - Dave Murdoch of Red Bluff.