Rowell Ranch Rodeo Wraps Up its 101st Year
photos by Darrell Lavin
•
lavinphotos.com
photos by Darrell Lavin • lavinphotos.com
New and old rodeo fans alike enjoyed the action this past weekend at the 101st Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo held at Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park in Castro Valley—one of the oldest rodeos in America.
While there were rodeo cowboys and cowgirls from throughout the United States who took a turn in the Rowell Rodeo arena, it was the California cowboys and cowgirls who took home plenty of the winning rides.
“Our committee would like to extend its appreciation to our sponsors and everyone who attended and supported the 101st Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo. We are proud to be able to give back to the community through this rodeo. It is the support of our great fans who make it all possible,” said Russ Fields, President of the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo Committee.
The Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo non-profit association was formed in 1977 to preserve the historic community rodeo begun by local rancher and businessman Harry Rowell more than 100 years ago.
This year’s competition highlights included bull rider Dalton McMurtrie (Inyokern, CA) and his 82-point ride on Flying U Rodeo’s bucking bull Code Black while Colton Dougherty (Prineville, OR) took an 81.5-point ride on Rosser Rodeo’s bull Silver Oak.
California cowgirl Kailee Hamre (Gerber, CA) took home the winning time of 15.83 in the barrel racing event, while Shelley Holman from down the road in Brentwood, CA, made a time of 15.85 seconds in the arena for second place.
Other winning rides included a 2.3-second time in the Breakaway Roping for Suzanne Williams (Standish, CA). California Cowboy Cameron Messier from Herald, CA, on the saddle bronc Whoa Nellie and Blaise Freeman from Snyder, TX, on the bronc Wild Feathers both took home scores of 77 points. But it was Wheatland, California cowboy Chant DeForest who took home the All-Around Cowboy title with his winning runs in both the Tie Down and Team Roping events.
Proceeds from the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo and related events benefit other local nonprofits throughout the community.
The Hayward Rotary estimates that its nearly 70-year-old partnership with the rodeo has given back more than $2 million to the community. Proceeds from the annual rodeo and related events provide much-needed funding to many local charitable organizations, including Special Olympics, Tough Enough to Wear Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Program, 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Hayward Rotary, Castro Valley Rotary Club, and the Castro Valley Kiwanis Club.
The 102nd Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo will take place May 17-19, 2024. Ticket sales and rodeo events will be announced throughout the year.