101st Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo Returns
Photo credit to: PRCA Photographer Phil Doyle / www.phildoylephoto.com
Photo of Ethann Lemmons (Castro Valley, CA) competing in the Ranch Bronc Riding event at the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo
One of the oldest rodeos in America—established in 1921—the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo and WSRRA Ranch Bronc Riding Invitational are returning to Castro Valley with competition events running between May 19 to 21.
Many of the longtime ranch families that founded the community more than 100 years ago remain in the area still today, ranching in the hills above the San Francisco Bay.
For founder Harry Rowell, the Rowell Ranch Rodeo represented a time for “The old and the young, those who bring memories with them and those for whom the day’s events are new to come together. A time for individuals, groups, and communities to bond together with a common purpose - the Rowell Ranch Rodeo does all this and more.”
For a man who had a “love affair” with the West, there could be no greater job than a rodeo stock contractor. A pioneer, Harry saw the sport of rodeo as an American tradition that had to be preserved. From the first “cowboy show” he put on in 1921 for the community at the Burbank School in Hayward, California, he built a career as a sought-after rodeo stock contractor. He built the rodeo in his adopted hometown as a historical event and a time for his community to gather to celebrate their Western culture.
Rowell’s longtime friend and stock contractor for the rodeo, Cotton Rosser of the Flying U Rodeo Company, once said that “Harry’s mark was showmanship. And he always featured the cowboy.”
Inspired by those that came before them, the all-volunteer, not-for-profit Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo Association was formed in 1977 and works all year to carry on their traditions, especially those featuring the cowboy, such as one of the best Ranch Bronc Riding Invitational events.
The Rowell Ranch Rodeo Invitational Ranch Bronc Riding will be one of the richest in the sport, with $10,000 in added money. Set to take place in conjunction with the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo May 19 - 21 at the rodeo grounds located in Castro Valley, California. It will be an 8-second Whisky Tour Stop Premiere Event sanctioned by the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association, limited to 16 contestants.
“Our rodeo's founder, Harry Rowell, loved his bronc horses, and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate our rich history than to have a ranch bronc riding event worthy of our namesake,” said Albert “Abbie” Batteate, a member of the coordinating committee.
“Since the beginning, the cowboys participating in the rodeo have always known they were in for a memorable ride on spirited quality stock provided by Rowell. If you went back through the entry books, you'd find nearly every world champion has competed at Rowell Ranch Rodeo,” said Cecil Jones, founding member of the rodeo in the book Here’s a Go commemorating the rodeo’s 75th anniversary in 1995.
The Flying U Rodeo Company from Marysville, California, has provided the rodeo's horse and cattle stock since the beginning when Harry Rowell and Cotton Rosser were building the sport of rodeo. His son Reno Rosser will be responsible for making sure the Invitational Ranch Bronc Riding has some of the best bucking horses around to make it an event to remember for the cowboys and the fans.
The Hayward Rotary has been a partner with the rodeo for more than 70 years, and together, they've contributed in excess of $2 million to the community. Proceeds from the annual rodeo and related events provide much-needed funding to many charitable organizations throughout the region.
Tickets are on sale now and range in price from $17 to $30. General admission and reserved seating are available. Visit rowellranchrodeo.com to get your tickets today. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate on the day of the performance.
