California’s Pacific Coast shorelines and mountain vistas set the backdrop for many of the PRCA’s richest and most historic rodeos. From the Southern California desert to the Northern California pines, the Golden State offers golden opportunities for athletes to strike it rich.
With May underway, many athletes are already mapping their summer runs and Cowboy Christmas routes in hopes of qualifying for the 2026 NFR. Several California rodeos fall within those routes during May’s spring season.
Recently, the Desert Rodeo, Clovis Rodeo and Lakeside Rodeo all concluded, producing pivotal storylines and lead changes in several world standings races.
California native Brushton Minton claimed yet another California circuit rodeo all-around title. Minton took home the Clovis Rodeo all-around title, earning $4,231 between the tie-down roping and team roping. He also recently captured the all-around title in Red Bluff, earning $10,920 at the Northern California rodeo. The two-time NFR qualifier will look to build on that momentum in both the calf roping and team roping as his run continues.
World Champion bareback rider and fellow California native Clayton Biglow also found recent success in both Clovis and Lakeside, conquering both Northern and Southern California in the same weekend. Biglow earned $4,230 with an 86.5-point ride aboard Western Rodeos’ Cinderella to win in Lakeside. He also split the victory with Leighton Berry in Clovis, earning $9,466 apiece atop Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Mlw’s Irish Eyes with a score of 86.5 points. Biglow also earned a check at the Desert Rodeo in Thermal, California.
Pacific Northwest steer wrestler Mike McGinn also struck gold on the Golden Coast. With an aggregate time of 22.3 seconds on four head, McGinn earned $4,859 at the Clovis Rodeo to claim the aggregate title. Fellow Pacific Northwest cowboy Jesse Brown split the title with Matt Deskovick in Lakeside, posting a time of 4.6 seconds to earn $2,256 each.
Top Resistol Rookie of the Year contenders continued to hold their own in competitive veteran fields. Heading contender Denton Parish found success in both Lakeside and Thermal, teaming with Corey Hendrick to win in Lakeside with a 4.2-second run, earning $3,476. Barrel racer Morgan Bagnell also claimed the victory in Clovis, earning $4,081. Bull rider Hayes Weight rounded out the rookie wins with an 88.5-point ride aboard All In Pro Rodeos’ Chism, earning $4,681.
Rookies and veterans alike are riding big waves of success under the California sun. With the California swing well underway, the standings and leaderboard races continue to take shape.