Speckles of white cowboy hats decorated the packed grandstand to watch the wonders of horsemanship at the Fiesta Rodeo in celebration of Azteca Day at the Kern County Fair, Sept. 30.
“No one else that I know could do what he is doing right now,” said the Fiesta Rodeo announcer, as the Mexican world champion demonstrated horse etiquette by waltzing his horse with only his hand.
According to the announcer, the champion had to compete in seven different events in order to become a world champion.
Not only can a horse waltz, it can bow and walk on its front knees.
However, it was the grand entry that got rodeo spectators in the mood as the Spanish and English announcers introduced the Mexican, American and Californian flags, carried out by the No. 3 girls’ drill team in California.
Besides horsemanship, team rope riding, Mexican-style bareback riding, calf riding, bull poker, American and Mexican style bull fighting, and an on-the-spot new game involving a bull entertained the audience.
The new game, which is yet to be named, involved a bull, six big rings, six men from the United States Marine Corps and an Australian man on stilts.
These men, besides the man on stilts, had to each stand in the middle of the rings while a bull ran around trying to knock them down.
The last man that stayed within his ring won the game.
Not all men were knocked down and dragged.
Some ran as if threatened by the bull’s proximity. Other men challenged their courage by ducking as the bull charged at them.
The last man standing was the Australian on stilts, who just walked around and taunted the bull.
Bull Poker was another event that the Marine Corps participated in, again challenging their courage as well as challenging the bull.
This time it was four men who sat around a poker table, trying not to stir as the bull charged at each of them.
However, two men were knocked down immediately as the bull left his pen.
Two men were left sitting awhile as the bull seemed to be amused with other distractions until the rodeo clown enticed the bull into knocking down one more man.
The last man sitting received a $500 prize.
However, not all events involved men who have been breaking horses or roping and riding bulls for more than 20 years.
There were also boys competing on calves.
The Calf Riders Only event included seven boys ranging 8 to 17 years old that start out on calves until they can ride the big bulls. This event was possible through a non-profit organization dedicated to funding youth rodeos.
“All this is going to be done Mexican style,” said the announcer of the bareback riding and bullfight events.
Other Mexican-style entertainers included the drill team, who demonstrated horse etiquette and synchronized riding while side saddling, and the infamous Christian and Carlos, a young duo that can sing, ride and rope.
Although one boy needed help to get back on his horse, they are on the path to great skills, which were demonstrated by the next event.
“No one in the world can do what he’s doing,” said the announcer as a man ropes both himself and his horse while running around the arena.
According to the announcer, the man has been practicing horsemanship and roping since the age of five and is now one of the best ropers in the world.
Not only were there Mexican style entertainers, there was the all-American little Elvis Presley.
Elvis entertained the audience by dancing and playing his guitar Elvis style.
People were clapping in rhythm to the music.
After the events, people worked their way out of the Grandstand and down to the grounds to embrace the final night of the Kern County Fair.