LAKEPORT >>Time sometimes has a way of dwarfing great achievements, but this is the 95th anniversary of the Lake County Rodeo Association’s signature event.
Successive rodeos began in Lakeport, over Labor Day, by the newly established Lake County Rodeo Association.
Imagine the stories they will tell about the county’s rodeo history in 30 years’ time. Research compiled by John R. Fulton with assistance from Bob Kesling (circa 1993), indicated that the rodeo in July 1993, was the 64th Annual rodeo sponsored by the organization now known as the Lake County Rodeo Association.
Still existing as an all-volunteer organization, the Lake County Rodeo Association is comprised of local residents who love rodeo and work hard each and every year to continue this Lake County tradition. The Clear Lake Jr. Horsemen continue to perform each year with youngsters from Lake County practicing for their appearance each night in the Grand Entry.
The Lake County Rodeo Association is proud to honor this year’s Grand Marshal, Tucker Chorjel of Middletown, California, Steve Smart announcer, informed the Rodeo audience. Tucker was born in 1987, and he has lived his entire life in Middletown. He attended Minnie Cannon Elementary School, Middletown Middle School, and is a 2005 graduate of Middletown High School. Tucker, an avid student of agriculture and the Rodeo lifestyle, was both Chapter and Sectional Officer when he was in FFA, a State Committee member, and then went on to earn both his State FFA Degree and the coveted American FFA Degree. Tucker was also a member of the Middletown Rodeo Club as an adjunct member.
Upon graduation, Tucker went on to study Agriculture Science at Santa Rosa JC, was an Ag Ambassador, and went on to be a three-year State President with Collegiate Ag Leaders.
Today, Tucker’s community involvement includes the Middletown Lion’s Club where he serves as First Vice President, as well as District Student Speaking Chairman. He is also a member of the Middletown Central Park Association, which aims to provide a free equestrian riding arena for the local community. He is a founding member of the Middletown Ag Boosters Club in 2011, which serves to support South Lake County students in FFA, 4H, and Rodeo through Rodeo sponsorships, Senior Scholarships, livestock and feed loans.
Smart, then told the audience, “Let’s dedicate the 95th edition of the Lake County Rodeo to Mr. Ray Benevides,” he said. “LCRA invited Ray to serve as the 94th Grand Marshall, when his daughter served as Rodeo Queen. For 2025, Nya Martinez serves as Lake County Princess, while Alexandra Hundley is Rodeo Queen. Meanwhile, LRCA welcomes back their Rodeo Clown, Donnie Landis, returning to Lakeport for the first time since the start of his career 52 years ago.
Preceding the prized competition, were children 4 to 7 years old in the popular Mutton Bustin’ contest, to determine who could ride one of the sheep the longest. Alia Fernandez with 63 points earned the gold buckle top prize.
In the prize money events, starting with calf roping, Logan Erickson and Eli Green tied for first place, winning time, 10 seconds and a payout of $458.72. Weston Smith was third at 10.8 second and earned $229.36. For the steer wrestling event Ilan Davis took first with a time of 4.0 and earned $498.20. Brandon Green was second at 5.3 and earned $298.92, while Mason Polhemus was third at 5.5, earning $199.28. During the breakaway roping event, Jayda Staley’s lightning quick, earned top prize of $1,090.40, Ellie Gomes was second at 2.4, earning $817.80, Lily Emerson was third, at 2.5 earned $545.20, while Aliss Erickson at 2.6, fourth, earned $272.60
In the barrel racing, a crowd favorite, Danica Wagner clocked 16.81 for a first $575.09, followed by runner up Reagon Langer at 16.95 winning $500.08m Summer Smith at 17.00 earned $425.07, Emilee Miller at 17.02 earned $350.06. In team roping, Gary Watkins and Ken Cook were first at 5.4 earning $638.26, Second, was Kevin Hill and Joseph McCurley, third were Bryor Minton and Spencer Mitchell at 5.6 winning $364.72, while Colby George J. Cody Jones at 5.9, earned $357.20, Wyatt Coffman at 71 points earned $267.90. In the bull riding event, Luke sorter with 81 points was champion for a $458.72 payout.
For calf roping, Logan Erickson and Eli Green tied for first at 10.0, winning $498.20, while Weston Smith 10.8 at earned $229.36. For the steer wrestling event, Ilan Davis won with a 4.0 time and taking top prize of $498.20, Brandon Green with 5.3 earned $298.92 and Mason Polhemus was third at 5.5, earning $199.28. And then there was breakaway roping, won by Jayda Staley at 2.1 taking top prize of $1,090.80, Eli Gomes second at 2.4, earning $817.80, third, Lily Emerson at 23.5 winning $545.20 and Alissa Erickson at 2.6, winning $272.60.
Still existing as an all-volunteer organization and comprised of local residents who love rodeo and work hard every year to continue this Lake County tradition. The Clear Lake Jr. Horsemen continue to perform each year with youngsters from Lake County, practicing for their appearance each night in the Grand Entry.
