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A week ahead of the main event, the Saddle Horse Show Parade trotted down San Benito Street in Hollister on June 21.
According to Hollister Downtown Association manager Bri Rodriguez, there were more than 46 entries in the parade, ranging from longhorn cattle and dancing horses to antique farming vehicles and bands, as well as 15 sponsors and volunteer groups.
“Every year we try to get a little bit bigger,” Rodriguez said. “We had entries from all around the county and surrounding counties. It brings the community together and continues the traditions of San Benito County.”
Shari Schmidt, president of San Benito County CattleWomen, said the event was a great time.
“Cattlewomen have been a proud part of it for many years,” she said. “We’re here to promote beef as well as the Saddle Horse Show Parade, which of course uses beef.”
Schmidt added, “I think everybody loves the parade because it supports our local history, such as the Figure 8 roping, and all the local cattle ranchers and traditions of cattle ranching.”
The parade is the kickoff to the annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo on June 27-29 at Bolado Park.
Saddle Horse Show Queen Color Guard. Photo by Adam Bell. 
San Benito County Cattlewomen. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Pat Ricotti- Tractor. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Spreckels VFW. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Charles Dais. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Packard Autos. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Monterey Viejo Chapter 1846 of E Clampus Vitus. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Monterey Viejo Chapter 1846 of E Clampus Vitus. Photo by Adam Bell. 
Rancho Salsipuedes band. Photo by Adam Bell.
“I think it’s a great tradition,” said Violet Lafournaise, who lives in Tres Pinos and participated in the parade as the 2024 Gilroy Rodeo Queen. “I love to see our community come together with all the different floats and horses.”
Lafournaise said she has attended many rodeos and the Saddle Horse Show is her favorite.
“I think my favorite part is when they bring all the longhorns through,” Lafournaise said. “I know that definitely gets everyone excited.”
“I love it,” Lafournaise said, “It has different events, such as reining and cow horse work, whereas other rodeos have more strictly main rodeo events, like barrel racing and team roping, but this really includes our community.”
“I think the event is wonderful,” said Mark Costa, who rode in the parade. “We put on the show for the people to see what it used to be like, to have horses and rodeos, stuff that’s dying out now. It’s part of our life and it’s our family, these animals.”
Stephen Rider attended with a float from the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds called “A History Project.”
“We have displays during the county fair where people can see the old equipment,” he said, “some dating back 100 years. I know that ag history and the agricutlure exerience is important to Hollister, so we are glad to be part of this event. I think everybody likes seeing history.”
Tina Armstrong said she wanted to come and support the participants in the parade.
“I have a group that’s at this event today,” she said. “It’s a Special Day Inclusive Horizons group for adults. We are going to the Saddle horse Show to see our favorite part, the girls roping team with Danielle Johnson.”
Elia Salinas said she comes to the parade every year and enjoys watching all the local people involved.
“I enjoy watching the horses dance,” she said. “That’s the best part. The horses are beautiful and to see them dance is just great. It was great to see Fremont had two schools and then the Watsonville Community band was out here.”
WINNERS WERE AS FOLLOWS:
EQUESTRIAN:
SIDESADDLE: CHARLIE ALAMO
MOUNTED GROUP: QUADRILLE QUEENS
CHARRO MOUNTED GROUP: 1ST, RANCHO LOS POTRILLOS; 2ND, ESCARAMUZA HERENCIA DE LA PALMA; 3ND, FELIPE PRECIADO
NOVELTY: 1ST, JOANNE HOEFER; 2ND, CATTLE DRIVE
COLOR GUARD: SADDLE HORSE QUEEN COLOR GUARD
VEHICLE: BUFFALO RUN WAGON, MARK COSTA
WESTERN: KING CITY STAMPEDE
PLAIN WESTERN: DEBBIE MARSCHALL
MATCHED PAIR: RANCHO CASTILLO
NON EQUESTRIAN:
BAND: HOLLISTER HIGH SCHOOL SCARLET REGIMENT BAND
FLOAT: CATTLEWOMEN
VEHICLE: AGRICULTURAL HISTORY PROJECT
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