The Marysville Stampede at Cotton Rosser Arena on Saturday delivered an afternoon of high-stakes rodeo action, punctuated by a new commitment to supporting children facing serious illness. The PRCA-sanctioned event, which allows riders to advance in their standings, featured two cowboys achieving significant victories over notoriously difficult animals, while a poignant moment honored a local child battling cancer, marking the Stampede’s first year of dedicated fundraising efforts.
Browns Valley cowboy Jasper Frost achieved a notable success in the saddle bronc competition. Reno Rosser, who checked a saddle-strap fixed to a restless horse, handled the bronc named Flash Flood, a "hickory-dark bucker with a black mane." Flash Flood became "truly riled up" in her chute, her movements sending tremors through the iron pens. Announcer Anthony Lucia informed the crowd that Frost had previously been "on the losing end of that first encounter" with Flash Flood at another California rodeo. When the gate opened, Flash Flood "was already sailing upward," kicking her rear legs high. This time, however, Frost withstood "ten full bucks" from the mare, making it to the buzzer, prompting Lucia to boom, "Same horse, different result!" Frost scored 75 points in the gambit.
Later in the day, Tehama County cowboy Colby Demo faced arguably Saturday’s biggest challenge during the bull riding event. Demo drew a bull named Cat Nap, described as a "walking toro-tornado" that no cowboy had yet managed to ride for the required eight seconds. Despite its "deceptively named" moniker, Cat Nap, a "white-and-black patched colossus" with thick horns, is known for getting his "massive tonnage genuinely airborne." Demo, who has previously won the Marysville Stampede title in 2014 and 2018 and is currently ranked number 2 in the PRCA’s California circuit, entered the contest with confidence. When the gate broke open, Latin trumpets blared as Cat Nap "heaved out in a forceful vault." Demo kept latched to him through tight, violent turns and sky-bound kicks. As the buzzer sounded, the crowd went wild, with Lucia shouting, "Colby Demo just rode the un-ridable!"
The event’s emotional heart beat mid-way through the afternoon when former Marysville city councilman Dom Belza walked onto the arena floor. Belza was there to remember his "recently departed 11-year-old daughter, Riley Rose." During this moving tribute, the Golden Circle Champion belt was awarded to 4-year-old David Harvey of Marysville, who is bravely battling childhood cancer. This marked the first year that the Marysville Stampede became involved with fundraising to help children fighting for their futures in local hospitals. The Belza family made a "sizable donation" to the effort, which was further bolstered by an outpouring of community members who showed up for a benefit dinner hosted by the Friends of the Marysville Stampede earlier in the week.
On Saturday, the grassy earthen bowl that forms Cotton Rosser Arena was filled with locals awaiting such moments, having earlier watched mutton bustin’, steer wrestling, team roping, and several riding displays by the Painted Ladies Drill Team. After the saddle bronc competition, the action continued with tie-down roping for steer before the women’s barrel racing began.
By Sunday morning, Reno Rosser expressed his anticipation for showcasing "even more top-tier rodeo talent." He told the Appeal-Democrat that "Some of America’s top cowboys for the first time will be performing here in Marysville," specifically naming bareback world champions Tim O’Connell and Clayton Bigelow, and National Finals Rodeo competitors like Chase Brooks. As the afternoon arrived, crowds returned, enjoying cooler weather and the vibrant atmosphere of families engaging in local traditions.
