George Rose was born and raised in San Benito County and was destined to be an award-winning horseman. His father was George Rose Sr., an outstanding horseman himself. Both George Jr.’s father and his uncle, Harry Rose Sr., have been inducted into the National Reined Cow Horse Hall of Fame. George Sr. taught his son well and Junior had both a natural inclination for horse training and the desire to learn the subtleties of the relationship between man and horse. At one point in his show career, George Jr. won top honors in the Open Stock Horse class at the Reno Rodeo, and his father came in third.
George had many wonderful horses, but none as prized as Princess Nile. George started the two year old in 1962 and accumulated points in the California Reined Cow Horse Association. George’s accomplishments over the years were numerous in the stock horse competitions from the Grand Nationals to Salinas and Reno. Princess Nile had her last colt at the age of 24.
Since he was 5 years old, Bolado Park was George’s playground. Early on, he started riding bulls and saddle broncs, then he took on team roping, wild cow milking, figure 8 roping and all manner of stock horse classes.
George was a true competitor, winning the All-Around title at the San Benito County Horse Saddle Show and Rodeo three times. It is true that George has racked up more buckles, bits and trophies to count, but more importantly, George exemplifies the skills and horsemanship that is associated with Vaquero tradition:Â The patient and methodical style of horse training, a style that aspires to the perfect partnership between horse and rider, is the cornerstone of the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
Photos and history can be viewed at the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show Association Museum just outside the Bolado Park Grandstands.Â
SAN BENITO COUNTY HORSE SHOW AND RODEO SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY:
8 a.m. Stock Horse Class eliminations (free)
11 a.m.Western Art & Tack Show (free)
1:30 p.m. Rodeo and Horse Show, reserved seating: Adults $10; Toddlers/children through 11 years old $5
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