Rodeo members are ready to ride
By Malissa Trenholm
The Collegian
Anthony Estep, a Fresno State student who finished ninth in the nation last year for calf roping at the national finals rodeo, will attend a series of rodeos along with 10 other members of the Bulldog Rodeo Club.
Fresno State’s rodeo team has competed in regional rodeos since 1946. This fall, the Bulldogs will participate in numerous events throughout the rodeo series including one on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Quincy, CA.
The next competition takes place at Cuesta College on Oct. 8, followed by Oct. 22 and 23 in Susanville, and on Nov. 5, the club will compete at Cal Poly San Louis Obispo College.
Fifteen teams throughout California and Nevada will participate.
The rodeo will feature events such as bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, break away roping, tie down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and goat tying, Estep said. He said he will compete in calf roping and team roping.
Arthur A. Parham, department chair, and professor of agricultural education and rodeo coach, said six men and three women will compete in the upcoming rodeos.
Dustin Woods, Scott Ritchie and Marty Geolinie are the predominant members competing this year along with Estep, Parham said.
Parham said the club specializes more in timed events, occasionally practicing and training on campus, rather than rough stock, which is basically the “bucking events,” said Parham.
The club is self-financed and members do not receive scholarships. Fresno State is one of two campuses in California that is a charter member.
“Our kids love to rodeo and go to school,” Parham said.
Sherri Mell, a Fresno State alumna from 1975 to 1979, recently donated about $150 to the club. She competes in professional rodeo and was featured on the cover of “Horse Trader” Magazine. She was recently inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
Fresno State’s own regional rodeo will be held in the spring this year. Parham said there are 10 rodeos this year. If Fresno State’s rodeo members score in the top two in the teams division or top four in the individuals division, the students will be eligible togo to the national finals, which are in the second week of June in Casper, Wy.
Estep said he loves to rodeo.
“It’s all I know,” he said.
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