Hollister’s Streets Come Alive with Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Michael Koteles

On Saturday, June 17, the streets of downtown Hollister, specifically a crowded San Benito Street, came alive with the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade.

The Downtown Parade serves as the inaugural event for a series of festivities leading up to the 89th anniversary of the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, set to take place June 23rd to June 25th, 2023.

“We are excited to return to historic Bolado Park next weekend,” said Dave Westrick, retired Hollister police chief and a director of the Saddle Horse Association. “June 23-25, 2023. It will be our 89th year for our rodeo. We have a full slate of events.”  https://sanbenitocountyrodeo.com/calendar/” 

This year there was over 50 community entries in the parade consisting of marching bands, floats, horsemen, and horsewomen, the 2023 Miss San Benito Rodeo, wagons, and various other community groups. Parade Judges were Jae Eade and Donnie Marcus.

WINNERS EQUESTRIAN, JUDGED BY ALICE LAWELLIN:    

RODEO CLASS QUEEN PRINCESS 

1ST #14 CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS

2ND #3 SADDLE HORSE SHOW QUEEN COLOR GUARD

3ND #15 MISS SALINAS VALLEY FAIR 

FANCY DRESSED WESTERN LADY

#23 CANDY GRAHAM

LADIES SIDE SADDLE

#24 CHARLIE ALAMO

JR. EQUESTRIAN

#25 NOELANI VALDEZ

CHARO/CHARA MOUNTED CHARIOS

1ST #30 CHARROS Y ESCORAMUZA EL CORTENAIL

2ND #21 Rancho 4 Aces

SINGLE RIDER

#4 COOPERS CALLING

SHERIFF POSSE

#28 MERCED CO. SHEIFFS POSSE

CHARRO/CHARRA VAQUERO MDT GROUP

1ST #55 CUADRA EXCLUSINA

2ND #54 SALINAS VALLEY CHARRO

General Category Parade Winners:

Bands: 1^st– Hollister High School Scarlet Regiment, 2^ndWatsonville Community Band

Floats: 1^st– Hollister Women’s Club, 2^nd- San Benito County Cattlewomen

Vehicle: 1^st-Pat Ricotti-Bucking Tractor, 2^nd– Paul Carbone Classic Car

Performance: 1^st-St. Catherine of Alexandria School Twirlers, E Clampus Vitus, Chapter 1846 Monterey Viejo

The Saddle Horse Show Parade began in 1932 and is one of the oldest events in San Benito County. 

An estimated 5500 were in attendance. This year the Hollister Downtown Association partnered with the existing Saddle Horse Show Parade committee to coordinate the parade. 

“There were approximately 40 head of longhorn cattle and over 130 horses in this year’s parade.” said Teri Escamilla, events manager.  “One of our Board members proclaimed this year’s parade as the best Saddle Horse Show Parade yet! Very diverse and entertaining.”

Vehicle: 1^st-Pat Ricotti-Bucking Tractor, 2^nd– Paul Carbone Classic Car

Performance: 1^st-St. Catherine of Alexandria School Twirlers, E Clampus Vitus, Chapter 1846 Monterey Viejo

52 organizations participated in the parade. They are listed here:

1. Cattle Drive
2. VFW Post 9242 Honor Guard
3. Saddle Horse Show Queen Color Guard
4. Hollister High School Scarlet Regiment
5. City of Hollister Police Department
6. San Benito County Cattlewomen
7. Miss Salinas Valley Fair 2023-Miss Kyla Lambert
8. King City Stampede
9. Hollister Elementary School District
10. Friends of the San Benito County Free Library
11. Paul Carbone-Classic Car
12. Hollister Concerts
13. Bea Gonzales-Supervisor District 5
14. California Rodeo Salinas
15. CA RODEO Salinas
16. Susan Postigo
17. Gavilan College-Hollister Site
18. San Benito County Sheriff Search and Rescue
19. Bracco’s Towing
20. Calera Wine
21. Rancho 4 Aces
22. Spreckles VFW
23. Candy Graham
24. Charlie Alamo Quadrille Queens
25. Noelani Valdez of the Quadrille Queens
26. Women’s Club of Hollister
27. Charlie Davis
28. Merced County Sheriff Posse
29. Agricultural History Project
30. Charros y Escaramuza El Centenario
31. St. Catherine of Alexandria School Twirlers
32. Watsonville Community Band
33. The Pour Bus
34. Rose Escobar-Candidate for Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2023
35. Girl Scouts
36. Rancho Vargas
37. Cynergy Living Cancer Free
38. Hollister Vikings
39. Granite Rock
40. Pat Ricotti-Bucking Tractor
41. Cooper’s Calling
42. R.E.A.C.H. San Benito Parks Foundation
43. Gilroy Rodeo
44. E Clampus Vitus, Chapter 1846 Monterey Viejo
45. Les Schwab
46. Los Migueles
47. Community Foodbank of San Benito County
48. San Benito Stage Company
49. Santa Anita Ranch Sheep Wagon
50. Ausaymas 4-H
51. Salinas Valley Charros
52. Cuadra Excusiva

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