Volunteers Rally to Keep Rodeo Traditions Alive in Southern Humboldt

flyer for the 65th annual garberville rodeo, beige background, blue writing, image of cowboy riding a bullJim’s Quick Lube is closed, its mechanic bay doors rolled down. The Evergreen Business Park where the quick lube is located is quiet, it is after all, after hours. Employees and owners have locked their doors and headed home or off to enjoy the warm spring day.

But not Gina Michaels, co-owner of Jim’s Quick Lube. Gina sits with binders and manila envelopes strewn across an outside side table set up for customers to wait while Jim and his crew service their vehicles.

Gina’s paperwork is not business paperwork, it’s rodeo queen and princess information. She sits with the two contestants for this year’s Garberville Rodeo dubbed Rodeo in the Redwoods, counting tickets, filling in forms. One would assume that Gina is a rodeo girl herself, or had children involved in rodeo, but she doesn’t. She’s yet another business owner, volunteering her off time to support Southern Humboldt youth in their endeavors.

Gina joked about someone “throwing her name under the bus” for the position of Queen/Princess Coordinator due to her previous twenty years of experience coaching cheerleading. All laughing aside, Gina said that instead of complaining about the lack of opportunities for our youth, “You just do it because you know it’s your [community].”

As I arrive, she introduces me to the two candidates running unchallenged, local girls I know from living here and raising my children in the same school district. Rodeo Princess contestant, eleven-year-old Trinity Erickson doesn’t know how I know her name, unaware that her older brother went to school with my son. That’s the way it is with small towns; everyone knows you before you meet.

girl wearing dark round glasses, black long sleeve shirt next to chestnut horse with white on its face

Bailee Wilson, Rodeo Queen Contestant [Photo provided by Gina Michaels]

Twelve-year-old Bailee Wilson gives me a shy wave even though I’ve enjoyed barbeques on her parents’ deck.

During my interview with the contestants, both admit to being shy, admittedly loving animals, especially horses, more than most people.

Trinity’s eyes lit up when talking about her horse, forgetting that she was being interviewed as she told me about feeding and caring for her equine friend, Cash. The homeschooled student fell in love with horses the first time she had the opportunity to ride, fear coursing through her body warred with exhilaration as she closed her eyes, letting go of the reins and spreading her arms wide, overcome with joy.

Bailee began riding six years ago and is wanting to begin barrel racing soon. Her cousin introduced her to the love of riding, and it has stuck with the youth since.

“I’m running for [Rodeo] Queen because I like to spend time with animals and I go to the rodeo every year,” she told me.

The Leggett Valley middle-school student said that running for Rodeo Queen has pushed her outside of her comfort level, forcing her to overcome some social anxiety when approaching people about purchasing raffle tickets or finding sponsors.

girl in pink and white plaid shirt and jeans with beige cowbow hat on riding a dark brown horse

Trinity Erickson, Rodeo Princess Contestant [Photo provided by Gina Michaels]

Trinity said selling tickets and tallying monies collected became part of her homeschooling math curriculum–though at times, she’s nervous of strangers’ reactions to her asking if they’d like to purchase a ticket.

Both girls read off their sponsor lists, local businesses all over Southern Humboldt, so many I couldn’t think of a business in downtown Garberville that wasn’t mentioned by the contestants. In the economic crush felt throughout the county, I was shocked at how many small businesses had donated time and effort, not just for the two contestants, but for the rodeo as a whole.

Gina expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support the contestants have received, “We know it’s hard times right now but I’m glad to see all the sponsors stepping up.”

The Queen and Princess contests help raise money for the non-profit rodeo organization that is the longest running event in Southern Humboldt. Contestants find sponsors and sell raffle tickets and are judged on their horsemanship, before the winner is crowned at the Rodeo Parade Saturday morning.

Even though the contestants run unchallenged this year, they are not sitting on their laurels. “They have a…good goal to work towards,” Gina explained. If the contestants sell a required number of tickets, they can choose either a saddle or to keep a portion of the money raised. Raffle tickets are a dollar a piece, raffle winners can win up to $250 in prize money.

The contest challenges the girls to engage with their community, a skill that both Trinity and Bailee are tackling each day. “It’s a big deal to put yourself out there,” Gina said of the raffle ticket selling process.

Bailee’s mom Jennifer said that the contest has encouraged her daughter to face some of her social anxiety and that she’s witnessed Bailey’s personal growth throughout the process. “It’s hard for a twelve-year-old to put themselves out there,” she sympathized, “[but] she’s getting better at talking to people and explaining what she’s doing.”

Regardless of the long hours dedicated to training and selling tickets, Jennifer thinks the effort is worth it. “I definitely think, especially at this age [when] social anxiety is a real thing when they are excited about horses it’s wonderful. I’m excited to help her pursue that,” she stated.

Valerie, Trinity’s mom echoed Jennifer’s sentiment, stating that although it has been challenging for Trinity, the process of being responsible for ticket sales and soliciting sponsors has been a good lesson for her daughter in addition to being responsible for her horse’s care. “She’s really hard working, she likes to do the care and learn about all of their needs, all the medicine they take, the feed, the grooming. [She’s] especially interested in veterinary and wants to be a horse vet in particular,” Valerie proudly stated.

As I interviewed the contestants, their moms helped sort out ticket sales and information with Gina at the outside table, sacrificing their evening, as committed to the fundraising as their daughters. Both moms tell me that the extra work involved after school or on weekends can be challenging but they’re willing to put in that extra work to support their daughters’ love of horses and rodeo.

“I’m all about supporting our kids’ passions and supporting community endeavors,” Jennifer explained. “I’m super excited that we’re full on having rodeo this year.”

three women behing a mock jail booth with white bars

Volunteers at the Garberville Rodeo [Photo from the Garberville Rodeo Facebook page]

Behind this group of women supporting these two girls, there’s a list of volunteers and businesses that step-up year after year to make sure the Garberville Rodeo continues on. Garberville Rodeo Association Board Member, Babette Johnson, told me that she’s been volunteering for over 15 years simply because she loves the event and wants to see it continue.

Like Gina, Babette does not compete in rodeo herself or have kids that do, but she and her family volunteer year after year for the community event. She joked that she used to drag her kids to the rodeo when they were kids to volunteer, a tradition she continues even though her kids are now grown.

Babette’s son-in-law Zach Moore, owner of Moore Fabrication, has donated a custom headache rack worth $3500 to be raffled off to support the event. Zach’s wife has volunteered to work in the beer booth with her mom–community service an integral part of the Johnson Family dynamic.

white ford pickup with custom black headache rack in the back

Moore Fabrication headache rack for example of custom rack to be raffled off. Tickets $20 each, 250 available.

Many families have similar stories, community service ingrained in their family dynamic. Although there aren’t many services available to the rural Southern Humboldt community, the heart of the community tries valiantly to bridge the gap coming together, volunteering, donating and sponsoring events and programs even in tough times. As Gina said, “This is what we do! I’m not going [any]where so I might as well do so something to help…our community.”

The Garberville Rodeo will kick off on Friday, June 17th at 4pm with the mechanical bull contest followed by the Bull-O-Rama at the Southern Humboldt Community Park.

For information on vendor booth spaces, contact Babette at (707) 223-5335 by May 31st.

Bailee and Trinity will be selling raffle tickets at local grocery stores in Garberville and Redway right up until the start of the rodeo on June 17th. Contact them in person or ask a local business sponsor to purchase raffle tickets.

Local sponsors include All Sport, Brown’s Sporting Goods, Milt’s Saw Shop, The Boot Leg, The Papermill, Bakery Il Forno, Root 101 Nursery, Stitch in Time, Redway Feed & Garden Supply, Slightly Twisted Coffee, Redway Liquor, Grandfather Tree, Miranda Market, Little Bits ‘n’ Barrels Ranch, Randy Whitlow Trucking, Lewis Land Development, Getti Up Coffee Co., Sips Coffee, Leggett Mercantile, Renner Fuels, and Rays Food Place.

Purchase raffle tickets for the headache rack at the following locations: Moore Fabrication, Jim’s Quality Quick Lube, Just Rent It, The Boot Leg, Blue Moon Gift Shop and Redway Tire.

For more information about the 65th Garberville Rodeo, follow their Facebook page.
This article is written by Lisa Music, a local freelance journalist. To reach Lisa about tips, questions or comments, email her at [email protected]
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Just a thought
Guest
Just a thought
1 year ago

I remember wanting to run for rodeo queen. Found out it was a popularity contest and those with the most money just bought their daughters tickets to win. Selling tickets to win a contest is a little strange. In my opinion. I think this contest should be run on merit, horsemanship, community service even, maybe? Just a thought. Before you diss my opinion, remember it’s just an opinion. As a 18 year old, growing up near Whitethorn, very poor, it was very discouraging trying to run for rodeo queen. I was told then, early 1980’s, that’s the families with money just bought the tickets to insure their daughter would win. The more popular girls in the community would also have better luck selling the tickets. It sure would be nice, 40 years later to end this type of contest and actually have it a contest of capabilities with horses or community service experience. Something community enhancing instead of the ones with the most money/popularity winning.

geez
Guest
geez
1 year ago

Brutal traditions of animal abuse. Horses have to be broken (as in their spirit) to be ridden. There are somewhat more kind methods of breaking horses today but when it comes right down to it, they are not used (other than people no longer restrict food and water to make a horse lower energy).

Watch the video of animals being horribly injured and killed at rodeos (if you can stomach it) SHARK (showing animals respect an kindness) it a great organization that helps promote understanding of the cruelty of rodeos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SCc3j9FCPQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcrXtvzpFVo

Rosie
Guest
Rosie
1 year ago
Reply to  geez

There are a lot of training methods that are not cruel at all. You develop a bond and relationship with your horse when you train them. You expose them to new things and show them that the world is not a scary place. If you train a horse the slow way it’s not cruel at all. I trained an abused horse that was only halter broke and she was nine years old. I did about three months of groundwork before I even got on her. She loves to be ridden. She will lay her head on your back and give you a hug. I know that there are some people that abuse horses but you can tell what horses were abused and what horses were not.

Two Dogs
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Two Dogs
1 year ago
Reply to  geez

I don’t know who gave you your info on “breaking” horses, but it’s pretty clear you don’t know a damn thing about training them. It’s a lot like raising kids. Do a good job and they will shine. Do a bad job and they might just kill someone.
I have worked with many horses and mules that absolutely lived to please their masters and took great pride in what they were trained to do.
Hats off to our local horse people. We are only one electronic pulse, or hack away from finding out just how valuable these folks are.

yesmeagain
Guest
yesmeagain
1 year ago

I just want to say that it’s so terrific to read about something fun and good happening in the community, the enthusiasm of young people and their families, so many volunteers coming forward to create a positive event — instead of the usual drone about crime, homelessness, CoVID, politics, and cannabis, cannabis, cannabis. Congrats to Trinity and Bailee for stepping (riding?) forward to keep this tradition going.

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
1 year ago

The 101st Fortuna Rodeo is July 10th – 17th 2022.

http://fortunarodeo.com/

Canyon oak
Guest
Canyon oak
1 year ago

Instead of transitioning towards electric vehicles with their toxic batteries and driverless collisions, why not transition back to a society of horseback riding?
Of course it’s impractical considering the juggernaut of modernity we have been ensnared by.. but a return to the culture of the horse would essentially eliminate many of the fundamental problems produced by rapid transit by vehicle and the concomitant pollution etc..
Kudos to the kids who are lucky enough to be able to have space and access to adults with a knowledge of horse riding.
I wish I did