Fortuna Rodeo 2025

The Saturday afternoon Fortuna Rodeo opened with a patriotic theme and an unveiling of a huge U.S. flag by members of the local chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West. Earlier in the day at the parade, the group won the Best Parade Honor Guard award.
Long-time Fortuna resident Frank Hizer, who died this past year, was remembered with an Empty Saddle Tribute for his many years of civic activities, service on the board of the Fortuna Rodeo and 43 years in the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department. He had been honored as Fortuna Rodeo Grand Marshal in 2006.
Dee Dee McWhorter led the Empty Saddle Tribute horse for long-time Fortuna resident Frank Hizer, who died this past year. He was remembered for his many years of civic activities, service on the board of the Fortuna Rodeo and 43 years in the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department. He had been honored as Fortuna Rodeo Grand Marshal in 2006.
Christine Barkdull, owner of Bar W Ranch near Bridgeville, was honored as Grand Marshal. Her backstory includes being named Best Junior Cowgirl in the 1956 Fortuna Rodeo Parade and a Fortuna Rodeo Theme Girl in 1965.
These young cowgirl volunteers were kept busy throughout the rodeo carrying flags with sponsor identification on laps around the arena.
Saturday afternoon rodeo got underway with Mutton Busting, a timed rodeo tradition of seeing how long the child can hang on and ride a lively sheep after it bursts out of the chute.
These two bullfighters provided an extra layer of safety for participants in the Mutton Busting competition.
Miller Santsche, age 6 and from Fortuna, displayed good hanging-on technique and won first place in the Mutton Busting competition.
Miller Santsche, age 6 and from Fortuna, was presented with a shiny new belt buckle and a new hat for winning first place in the Mutton Busting competition.
Shannon McWhorter, president of the Rodeo Committee, was upbeat about how the week was going on Saturday afternoon, given the high numbers in attendance, the strong community support and “perfect weather every single day.”
This cowgirl at the starting gate for the Breakaway Roping timed event prepared her lasso and horse for the moment the calf bolts from the chute. Her lasso is tied to the saddle with a string and when she stops her horse after a successful loop around the calf and it keeps running, the lasso breaks free.
Breakaway Roping is a test of a cowgirl’s lasso skills, as the cowgirl has to chase and then lasso the running calf’s head. Her lasso is tied to the saddle with a string and when she stops her horse and the calf keeps running, the lasso breaks free in this timed event.
Behind the Tom McWhorter Arena was a pop-up village of RV’s and horse trailers. These young rodeo fans were enjoying Saturday afternoon with a little board game competition back at their family camp site.
When she wasn’t volunteering at the rodeo arena on Saturday afternoon, Peyton, age 10 and from Clovis, kept busy by practicing her roping skills at her family’s campsite behind the Tom McWhorter Arena.
Barrel Racing, the premier women’s rodeo event, tests the speed and agility of rider and horse as they run a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels in the fastest time possible. Touching the barrel is a five-second penalty.
Barrel Racing, the premier women’s rodeo event, tests the speed and agility of rider and horse as they run a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels in the fastest time possible. Touching the barrel is a five-second penalty
Barrel Racing, the premier women’s rodeo event, tests the speed and agility of rider and horse as they run a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels in the fastest time possible. Touching the barrel is a five-second penalty
The rodeo clown joined the competitors in the arena, and kept up a running commentary going with the rodeo announcers.
The goal in Saddle Bronc riding is to stay in the saddle and stirrups atop the horse for 8 seconds if possible and the rider’s score is based on how well he spurs the horse with his boots, keeping his feet in the stirrups and keeping his heels over the horse’s shoulders when they exit the chute.
The goal in Saddle Bronc riding is to stay in the saddle and stirrups atop the horse for 8 seconds if possible and the rider’s score is based on how well he spurs the horse with his boots, keeping his feet in the stirrups and keeping his heels over the horse’s shoulders when they exit the chute.
The goal in Saddle Bronc riding is to stay in the saddle and stirrups atop the horse for 8 seconds if possible and the rider’s score is based on how well he spurs the horse with his boots, keeping his feet in the stirrups and keeping his legs over the horse’s shoulders when they exit the chute.
Many of the Saddle Bronc riders were bucked off before the eight-second buzzer sounded for no score in the event.
Members of the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls displayed athletic horsemanship and rope-spinning skills. The performance team from Three Rivers, California has traveled widely to 22 countries around the world and even performed at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Members of the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls displayed athletic horsemanship and rope-spinning skills. The performance team from Three Rivers, California has traveled widely to 22 countries around the world and even performed at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Members of the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls displayed athletic horsemanship and rope-spinning skills. The performance team from Three Rivers, California has traveled widely to 22 countries around the world and even performed at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Members of the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls displayed athletic horsemanship and rope-spinning skills. The performance team from Three Rivers, California has traveled widely to 22 countries around the world and even performed at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Members of the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls displayed athletic horsemanship and rope-spinning skills. The performance team from Three Rivers, California has traveled widely to 22 countries around the world and even performed at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
In Ribbon Roping competition, a rider chases and ropes the escaping steer (with a bright ribbon attached to its tail). The rider’s teammate, on foot and waiting at a distant location in the arena, attempts to run over and snatch the ribbon from the steer’s tail and and then run with it to the finish line in the timed event.
On this Saturday afternoon, the bulls won. Not a single rider managed to stay on the back of these bucking, spinning bulls for 8 seconds while holding on with only one hand (the rider is disqualified if he touches the bull with his free hand). Judges total up the rider’s score based on the rider’s form and difficulty of the ride if they last eight seconds.
Bull riders attempt to stay on the back of these bucking, spinning bulls for 8 seconds while holding on with only one hand (the rider is disqualified if he touches the bull with his free hand). Judges total up the rider’s score based on the rider’s form and difficulty of the ride. At the end of the ride, these bullfighters move in to distract the bull from the fallen rider to give him time to escape.
On this day no bull rider stayed on a bucking, spinning bull for eight seconds while holding on with only one hand (the rider is disqualified if he touches the bull with his free hand). Judges total up their score based on the rider’s form and difficulty of the ride. At the end of the ride, these bull fighters move in to distract the bull from the fallen rider to give him time to escape.

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