California Rodeo Salinas: Preview, Format and, How to Watch

The California Rodeo Salinas returns for another installment this week on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Cahnnel+. Salinas has been held for over 100 years, beginning in 1911, at the time known as the Wild West Show. The Wild West Show had over 4,000 attendees and was the foundation for what would become Rodeo Salinas. This year, athletes will compete for their share of over $500,000. Here is what you can expect as you tune into the rodeo.

FORMAT

Salinas features a long round and a Finals that athletes will compete in. In roughstock events, athletes will have one shot to post one of the Top 12 scores. Those who do will advance to the Finals where they will have one more ride. After the finals, an Average champion will be crowned.

Timed events vary depending on the event. In steer wrestling and tie-down Roping, there are two long rounds with the top 12 on aggregate advancing to the finals where the fastest on three head will be crowned champion.

In team roping, there are four rounds before the top 12 on aggregate advance. to the finals where they will have one more run to post the fastest time on five head.

Barrel racing has three rounds where all will compete with the Top 12 moving on and once again having one more chance to post the fastest aggregate time to be crowned champion.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

The top of the bareback riding standings are getting crowded, and Rodeo Salinas will play a big factor in how they shake out. Can World No.1, Keenan Hayes ($148,920) extend his lead over the field or will No. 2 Rocker Steiner ($132,802), No. 3 Leighton Berry ($129,139) or No. 4 R.C. Landingham ($122,655) get a big win and close the gap?

The tie-down roping standings are tightening up in a big way thanks to a great Cowboy Christmas by Ty Harris ($156,243) and Haven Meged ($124,529). Even with the big weekend by the pair, it is still Shad Mayfield ($169,300) up top. Both Mayfield and Meged will compete in Friday morning’s Slack while Harris will compete in Saturday’s Slack.

Josh Frost looks to keep up his strong month in Bull Riding after taking over the No.1 spot in the PRCA Bull Riding Standings with $170,193. Chase Dougherty is within striking distance of Frost with over $155,000 earned and the man who has held the No. 1 spot for the longest this year, Creek Young is at $144,000. Frost and Dougherty compete in Performance 1 on Thursday and Young is scheduled to compete on Friday,

HOW TO WATCH AND BROADCAST SCHEDULE

You can watch every performance LIVE on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel+ App. For a full broadcast schedule click HERE.