FRC's Emilee Miller of Auburn took home the buckle with a time of 17.09 seconds at the Gold Country Pro Rodeo
FRC's Emilee Miller of Auburn took home the buckle with a time of 17.09 seconds at the Gold Country Pro Rodeo
Gold Country Pro Rodeo captivates sellout crowd
Gold Country Pro Rodeo captivates record-breaking crowds
May 03, 2023 12:00 PM
There had not been a successful bull ride all weekend at the Gold Country Pro Rodeo until Sunday, when four of 10 cowboys hung on for the required eight seconds, giving the sellout crowd plenty to cheer about at McCann Stadium in Auburn.
The winner of the event was Grass Valley's Conner McClure, who successfully rode a bull named Arson for a score of 84.5, edging Coop Jacobs of Benjamin, Utah, who posted an 83.
McClure's successful ride was the final attempt of the afternoon and was his second attempt, as the bull fell coming out of the chute on his first ride.
"In the 33 years that I've been involved with the rodeo committee, this was by far the best rodeo that's been produced in Auburn," said Gold Country Rodeo Facilities Director Kevin Borden. "Everyone put on a tremendous performance. We had record-breaking crowds this year, a record-breaking number of contestants here at the rodeo. It was just fantastic."
The Auburn crowd was treated to some of the top cowboys and cowgirls in professional rodeo with three days of action-packed performances. Fans found their way to the Gold Country Fairgrounds from all over Northern California.
"My kids live up here so we came and joined them for the weekend and for the rodeo," said Christine Stratmeyer of Martinez. "This was our first time at the rodeo and it's been very fun. I love the community vibe."
"It's awesome. I've been coming here for many years. It's the people all around us, it's all the vendors, it's everyone here that makes it so great," said Tessa Marinelli of Sacramento. "I think it's the best rodeo out here in California."
"Everybody had a great time and there was a smile on everybody's faces," Borden said. "It was just enjoyable for everybody. We could not put this rodeo on without the generous continued support and partnership of all our sponsors, committee members and all the volunteers."
Fans also got to see a local winner in barrel racing, as Emilee Miller of Auburn took home the buckle with a time of 17.09 seconds, nearly half a second faster than the runner-up.