110 to Compete in 42nd Pierce College Rodeo

About 110 competitors from California and Nevada will showcase their riding and roping skills this weekend at Pierce College in what is considered to be California’s largest college rodeo.

Those are just some of the events to be featured Friday and Saturday in the Pierce College Intercollegiate Rodeo at Shepard Stadium.

“This year we have a few new things,” said rodeo producer Ron Wechsler. “We’ll have a spectacular trick-roping performance and a drill team doing precision riding.”

The competition will feature breakaway calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and bareback riding.

This is the rodeo’s second year back since funding troubles forced its cancellation in 1997, after 40 years.

“We’ve had up to 7,000 spectators in the past and one year we made $50,000,” Wechsler said. “Hopefully, we’ll max our profit this year.” Proceeds support agricultural teaching programs.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and the rodeo begins at 7 p.m.

General admission is $8; $6 for seniors, students and children 4 to 12.

For information, call (818) 719-6463.