For the Record: Salinas

For more than a century, California Rodeo Salinas has been one of the largest rodeos on the West Coast. The biggest names in rodeo have competed at this historic rodeo since 1911, but only the best leave their mark by setting a rodeo record.

Cowboys will have a chance to win their share of the Salinas prize money and possibly make Salinas history by breaking a record July 19-22.

Salinas’ biggest payout was in 2013 with $408,472.

Ty Murray set the record for most money won in all-around at Salinas in 1990 with $8,853.

Bareback rider Cody DeMers set the Salinas record of 89 points in 2002. Ryan Gray set the two-head average record of 169 points in 2013.

Steer wrestler Dru Melvin set the Salinas record of 4.9 seconds in 2011. Frank Thompson set the three-head average record of 18.8 seconds in 2003.

Team ropers Derrick Begay and Cesar de la Cruz hold two records at Salinas. In 2009 they made a 6.4-second run and in 2013 they clocked in at 42.8 seconds on five runs.

Saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer set two records at Salinas in 2002. Etbauer made a 90-point ride, which helped him to also set the two-head average record of 173 points.

Two tie-down ropers share the Salinas record of 8.9 seconds. Chad Johnson set the record in 1997 and Trevor Brazile matched that time in 2008. Two tie-down ropers share the three-head average record of 29.6 seconds. Set by Bill Warner in 1997, it was matched by Brent Lewis in 2001.

Barrel racer Christina Richman set two Salinas records in 2011. She made a 15.62-second run, which helped her set the four-run average record of 63.77 seconds.

Bull rider Mike White set two Salinas records in 1999. White made a 93-point ride, which helped him set the two-head average record of 179 points.

Courtesy of PRCA