As the dog days of summer roll on, so does the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) season. With major rodeos like California Rodeo Salinas concluding, fans and athletes alike are watching the world title races begin to take shape.
Nestled alongside the picturesque Monterey Bay and in the heart of the Salinas Valley lies a “Ro-DAY-o” unlike any other. While the agriculturally based “Salad Bowl of the World” is best known for its homegrown produce, Salinas is also known for its historic rodeo. What started as a Wild West Show in 1911 has steadily evolved into the richest rodeo in the Golden State—and with its large, racetrack-style setup, it’s also one of the most unique.
Though this historic rodeo is recognized for its payout, its prestige and legacy make it a buckle every cowboy and cowgirl dreams of winning.
For team ropers, it’s also one of the most challenging stops on the PRCA trail, as it’s the only five-header in professional rodeo, features a single box, and has the longest scoreline in the sport. However, the challenges worked in favor of Tanner Tomlinson and Travis Graves this past weekend. Roping five steers in a cumulative 48.5 seconds, the duo claimed the prestigious title and earned more than $11,000 throughout the week. The win edged Tomlinson into the lead in the heading world standings and moved Graves to second in the heeling, just a few thousand dollars behind Colter Todd.
Also headlining in Salinas was young-gun Wacey Schalla, who earned an impressive $10,556 between his bareback riding and bull riding performances. The showing extended his nearly $10,000 lead in the bull riding world standings over Stetson Wright.
Dylan Hancock, who qualified for his first NFR in 2024, looks to return to the bright lights of Las Vegas in 2025. Taking top honors in tie-down roping with an aggregate time of 30.1 seconds on three head, Hancock moves to 12th in the world standings.
Known for its long scoreline in the breakaway roping as well, California Rodeo Salinas is not only the state’s top-paying rodeo but also one of the most technically demanding. In a storybook ending, home-state cowgirl and NFBR qualifier Rylee George roped three calves in a cumulative 13.8 seconds—worth $5,325—to propel her to 14th in the world standings.
Oregon cowboy Mike McGinn looks to make his first trip to the NFR in steer wrestling after an impressive 2025 campaign thus far. Following his win at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, McGinn added Salinas to his résumé, boosting him to 13th in the world standings.
Rookie saddle bronc rider Gus Gallaird has also been making waves on the California coast. After earning a paycheck and a spot in the final round, he now finds himself on the verge of the top 15 and the potential to qualify for the NFR during his rookie year. Australian cowboy Damian Brennan also padded his earnings with a prestigious win, placing him in the top three of the world standings.
Jordan Driver, a standout collegiate barrel racer with generations of excellence behind her, found herself in the winner’s circle after four runs totaling a cumulative 64.84 seconds—worth $6,269.
Home-state bull rider and five-time NFR qualifier Jordan Spears also captured a win, riding two bulls for a combined 174.5 points to earn $8,312, including ground money.
Now in the busiest stretch of the season, many athletes have packed their rigs and headed inland from the California coast in hot pursuit of some of the PRCA’s biggest titles, as Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Days of ’47 prepare to crown their champions this week.