California cowboys to bring their best at rodeo

RIDE ‘EM:
Cody Higgins, of Red Bluff, holds on tight during his wild ride in last year’s rodeo event.

The California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association will hold its annual state finals rodeo in Shasta County Sept. 19 and 20 at the Redding Rodeo Grounds.

The finals will feature some of the best rodeo talent in the state along with many of the younger cowboys and cowgirls who will be competing for the Rookie of the Year title.

In the hunt for some of the trophy buckles are Billy Holland, formerly of Cottonwood, in the All Around Cowboy division; seasoned cowboy Alex Meroshnekoff of Red Bluff in bareback riding and youngster Cody Higgins, also of Red Bluff.

Also in the hunt are Gerber’s Steven Lassen, who will compete in the saddle bronc and bull riding events, Chico’s JT Davis in the bull riding, Cottonwood’s Keith Roquemore and DJ Cooper, also in the bull riding.

Competing in barrel racing at the local level is Angie Hardin, a teacher at Foothill High School.

Finally, in the steer wrestling category, Larry Ferreira of Fort Jones has been out ‘steer tipping’ with some of his times clocking in at less than five seconds.

He is currently ranked second in the event and is wrestling for the spot of Rookie of the Year in steer wrestling.

Tickets are available at the Boot Barn in Anderson, the Cedar Tree Restaurant in Palo Cedro and Napa Auto Parts in Anderson, Cottonwood and Redding. They are $12 in advance and $15 at the gate. Tickets are also available via phone by calling 347-0697.