The second annual Santa Barbara Rodeo drew enthusiastic crowds to Earl Warren Showgrounds over the weekend, in a celebration of the region’s Western heritage with three days of PRCA competition, family activities and community traditions.
The rodeo featured bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, and crowd-favorite mutton bustin’, along with live music, apparel vendors, and food and drink, including a lineup from local startup Ranchero Whiskey.
Local youth competition was a major focus, and the rodeo included bull riding and team roping events for young cowboys and cowgirls.
Miss Rodeo California 2026 Sujhey Rosas, a 2023 Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo alumna, served as the rodeo’s ambassador, greeting fans and promoting California’s agricultural and rodeo traditions.
She even paid a visit to the Nature Rangers camp at Stevens Park, where she talked with campers in kindergarten through second grade about connecting with nature and animals.
Catching air, and hopefully a steer, at the Santa Barbara Rodeo. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Live music was new this year. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Daddy-daughter dancing. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
The Hat Bar did a steady lid business. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Food vendors were plentiful. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Santa Barbara County startup Ranchero Whiskey was a major sponsor of the Santa Barbara Rodeo. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Pink cowboy boots and rhinestones are a winning combination. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Reiyna Sarin, a St. Joseph High School junior and 2026 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen finalist, waits to sing the national anthem before Saturday’s rodeo. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Mutton busters were among those helping to bring out the American flag for the opening ceremony. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Miss Rodeo California 2026 Sujhey Rosas and her horse, Payday, take a lap around the rodeo arena at Earl Warren Showgrounds. Credit: Fernando Sam-Sin / Santa Barbara Rodeo photo 
A mutton buster hits his stride, just before a face plant. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A steer wrestler starts his move. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A junior bull rider takes his knocks. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A junior bull rider looking for eight. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Behind the scenes and the chutes. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A heeler connects. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Shaking out a rope. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Team ropers get their steer. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Pickup men from the Flying U Rodeo stock contractor wait for their work to begin. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Miss Rodeo California 2026 Sujhey Rosas brings up the rear with the sponsor flags. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A junior roper goes after his quarry. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A junior roper is ready to take her shot. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Closing in. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Fans got the banana float off to a strong start in the crowd-surfing race against a pickle. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
But the pickle slipped past. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Third-generation Charro Tomás Garcilazo puts on a rope show. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
11-year-old Louis Garcilazo and his 3-year-old brother, Ulysse, are budding charros and would the fourth generation in the family business. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A tie-down roper races to catch a calf. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Louis Garcilazo takes a victory lap with his mom, Justine, herself an accomplished horsewoman. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Kids and rodeo are a perfect pairing. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A junior breakaway roper looks like a pro. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
A barrel racer tries to slip past a teetering barrel, hoping not to get penalized by the five-second rule. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Coming at you. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Let ’er buck. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
Ride of the night. Credit: Lily Chubb / Noozhawk photo 
While in Santa Barbara, Miss Rodeo California 2026 Sujhey Rosas visited with the Nature Rangers camp during their session at Stevens Park. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Miss Rodeo California 2026 Sujhey Rosas teaches Nature Rangers campers how to ride an air bull. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Signing autographed photos. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo
Opening night at the rodeo also marked the debut of the Dustin Noblitt Legacy Award, honoring the longtime competitor, rodeo chairman and community leader whose family has been part of the Santa Barbara rodeo scene for four generations.
Noblitt, CEO of Pro Equine Group Inc. and RHE Hatco Inc., was recognized for decades of service preserving local rodeo traditions and was presented with a custom handcrafted belt buckle commemorating the inaugural honor.
Produced by Flying U Rodeo and sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the event continued its mission of celebrating Santa Barbara County’s ranching, vaquero and equestrian heritage while introducing new generations to the sport and culture of rodeo.
Friday and Saturday nights were quick sellouts, and Sunday’s matinee was almost sold out.
Click here for more information about the Santa Barbara Rodeo.
