San Benito County Saddle Horse Association
IN THE BEGINNING
In the summer of 1929, a meeting was held in Hollister by a group composed
principally of owners or managers of the larger cattle ranches of San Benito
County, but including horse lovers generally. These men met for the purpose of
considering the feasibility of staging a rodeo-type show in conjunction with
the annual county fair.
It was recognized by those in attendance, that over the years, native, reined
cow horses had been often featured in rodeo-type exhibitions in various sections
of San Benito County, notably San Juan Bautista, Hollister and Panoche, and
while the ventures were not financially successful, they were exceedingly
popular with the residents of the county. So, first deciding that it was both
desirable and feasible and that all present were willing to work for it, the
next decision was that the show should feature principally the cowboy and cow
horse contests, putting them on in much the same way as the California Rodeo at
Salinas, but with the important distinction that it would be run, both in
management and participation, by San Benito County residents exclusively. The
dates for the first show were set to coincide with the last two days of the fair,
September 28 and 29, 1929.
The ground allotted for use was the old river bottom, largely sand and gravel
and covered with a rambling assortment of large and small willow and cottonwood
trees. Men from various ranches in the county, as they could be spared, erected
corrals, arena fencing and a chute from which came the steers for roping and
the bucking bulls. The broncs were saddled in the open, snubbed to a gentle
horse. Horses were stabled wherever room was found. Several groups built small
separate corrals among the willows back of the arena. Wells were dug in the
river bottom for water.
In 1930 a circular track was built to accommodate the horse races which were a
popular event; also, more corrals and a second chute were added.
From this humble beginning the Saddle Horse Show has evolved to what it is today.
DIRECTORS
Mike O'Connell, Hollister, CA, President
John Barrett, Hollister, CA, 1st Vice President
Mark Skow, Hollister, CA, 2nd Vice President
Steve Johnson, Paicines. CA, Secretary/Treasurer
J.W. Brewen, King City, CA
Randal Brooks, Paicines, CA
Emilio Casillas, Hollister, CA
Dick Coefield, Hollister, CA
Adam Donati, Holllister, CA
Jae Eade, Hollister, CA
Fred Flook, Hollister, CA
David Grimes, Hollister, CA
Jim Hawkins, Hollister, CA
Curtis Hill, Hollister, CA
Reb Monaco, Hollister, CA
Jim O'Donnell, Hollister, CA
Bill Renz, Jr., Hollister, CA
Ross Rianda, Tres Pinos, CA
Steve Sanders, Hollister, CA
Vern Scattini, King City, CA
Liz Sparling, Hollister, CA
Ed Stephenson, Hollister, CA
Alan Thomas, Hollister, CA
Charles W. Tobias, D.V.M., Tres Pinos, CA
Rebecca Wolf, Hollister, CA
Kelley Ferreira, Tres Pinos, CA, Manager
Ann Strickland, Hollister, CA, Office Manager
Leon Mayou, Watsonville, CA, Operations Coordinator
HONORARY DIRECTORS
Mr. Bill Cagney, San Juan Bautista, CA
Mr. Mitt French, Hollister, CA
Mr. Curt Graves, Paicines, CA
Mr. Bob Hansen, Hollister, CA
Mr. William E. Hawkins, Hollister, CA
Mr. Larry Hodges, Napa, CA
Mr. Don Marcus, Hollister, CA
Mr. Fulton J. Picetti, Hollister, CA
Mr. Allan Renz, Tres Pinos, CA
Mr. Ed Rollins, Hollister, CA
Mr. Millard Strohn, Hollister, CA
Mr. Jim Tavares, Hollister, CA
PAST PRESIDENTS
Jake Leonard, 1929 - 1963
John Baumgartner, 1964 - 1970
Rocky Lydon, 1971 - 1974
Warren Hain, 1975 - 1983
William Renz, 1984 - 1986
William Medeiros, 1987 - 1988
George Callens, 1989 - 1993
Don Marcus, 1994 - 1998
Ed Stephenson, 1999 - 2003
Charles W. Tobias, 2004 - 2006
