Red Bluff Round Up boasts top notch rodeo stock

Rodeo Stocker:
Flying U Ranch rodeo legend Cotton Rosser.

Two legends lead the way in supplying rodeo stock to the 88th Annual Red Bluff Round Up. Flying U Ranch, of Marysville, Calif., is headed by rodeo legend Cotton Rosser and any local resident knows renowned John Growney and the Growney Brothers Rodeo Company, Red Bluff. The two cowboys crossed paths many times over the years and have partnered in providing livestock to the famous Red Bluff Round Up for over twenty years. Both found their way to competitive and professional rodeo through the Cal Poly program, and both continue their love of the sport for reasons best explained by Cotton Rosser, "(I haven't) made a lot of money in the rodeo business but (I've) made a million dollars worth of friends."

Cotton was a collegiate rodeo superstar in the late 40s and early 50s. He was captain of the Cal Poly Rodeo Team where he earned multiple national championships in several events. Cotton competed several times at the Red Bluff Round Up. After an unfortunate ranching accident, Cotton's dedication to rodeo was evident when he began judging events from his wheelchair. In 1956, Flying U was bought by Rosser and Dick Pascoe. The Rossers are known for their fantastic rodeo opening ceremonies and championship stock. The list of awards begins with the 1982 PRCA Bareback horse of the year, Classic Velvet, 1983 Saddle Bronc of the year, Buckskin Velvet, 1985 Saddle Bronc of the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), Angel Blue. Also included in the Flying U hall of champions are explosive bucking bulls, Reindeer Dippin, Big Mike and White Water.

Flying U's "Born to Buck" program has produced many great bucking horses and bulls competing at Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) performances over the years. Flying U is a family run business involved in the breeding programs on the ranch to the grand entry rodeo productions. Cotton has several awards of his own including the 2006 Ben Johnson Award and in 1995 he was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Cotton's connection to Red Bluff, Tehama County goes deeper than rodeo stock as his two children, Lee and Cindy are members of the First Cry Club of St. Elizabeth Community Hospital.

John and the Growney clan are also members of the St. E's First Cry Club and their roots run deep and strong in Red Bluff as the Growney family has provided years of community involvement and investment in our area. John began his rodeo career as a freshman in high school and continued competing through college until he was in his late 20s at which time he became a PRCA rider in both bareback horses and bull riding.

John began his stock contracting career by working the practice rodeo stock for Cal Poly. He completed his college senior year project on stock contracting and purchased his first bucking horses from Cotton Rosser which officially launched the Growney Bros. Rodeo Company.

The most publicized and popular claim to fame for the Growney Bros. Rodeo Company is the legendary bull, Red Rock, which remained un-ridden in professional rodeo until his death in 1992. Through the years of contracting, Growney has offered many additional famous stock at PRCA rodeos and the NFR. Often, John will premier a bronc at the Red Bluff Round up such as Moulin Rouge who bucked first at the Red Bluff Round Up in 2001. It was the first time a female contestant had ever ridden bareback in the Round Up. The bareback horse, Moulin Rouge, went on to the NFR and her foals are bucking today. She will be bucking at the 88th Annual Red Bluff Round Up and to showcase the care of these animals and appeal to horse lovers everywhere, immediately following her performance, Growney will be letting her loose in the arena along with her newest foal. The rodeo will also feature two of Growney's most popular bareback horses on the circuit today, Black Friday and Beaver Fever.

In the early 1990s, Growney's greatest moment came when 54 stock contractors named his saddle bronc horse, Sock Dancer, Saddle Bronc of the Year. John knew he had arrived in the stock contracting business when he lead his horse, Dreamboat Annie into the arena during the NFR with successful contracting greats, Cotton Rosser/Flying U and Christensen Bros. Rodeo. When reflecting on his livestock, Growney says, "They are like your kids, when they do well it makes you proud."

Like any business, partnerships are key, and today, Growney partners with Don Kish Bucking Bulls to bring bucking bull greats such as Scoundrel, Little Juicy and the excellent new bull, Original Prankster to the 88th Annual Red Bluff Round Up. This premier rodeo stock comes with two benefits, it is offered to our rodeo by local businesses and the athleticism of these animals provides the rodeo fans top notch rodeo action. Additional partners handling the stock providing premier bucking bulls, bareback and saddle bronc horses include Don Hutsell of Flying Five, Big Bend Rodeo Co. and Dan Russell of Western Rodeos, Inc.

Much like Mr. Rosser, John Growney reflects on his life as a stock contractor, "The ups and benefits of stock contracting are the people you meet and the friends you make along the way."

Tehama County is fortunate to have such successful and reputable businesses at the forefront of rodeo entertainment. And this year, on April 18, we can be grateful to see Cotton Rosser as the 2009 grand Marshal of the Round-Up Parade. Cotton offers, "The Red Bluff Round-Up is the West's most exciting rodeo in the world. I have been involved with the Round-Up starting back in 1948 as a contestant. I am honored to be the grand marshal at this year's roundup along with my family."

About the Red Bluff Round -Up

October 1921 marked the first annual Red Bluff Round-Up. Seventeen events were scheduled and some seven thousand spectators attended the show. While the first few years were rough, today, the Red Bluff Round-Up is regarded as one of the largest, most successful authentic rodeos on the west coast. Part of the six-pack organization, the Red Bluff Round-Up Board of Directors have joined forces with five other PRCA California and Nevada rodeos to leverage resources in bringing some of the most popular and successful acts to the rodeo event. The Red Bluff Round-Up continues to get bigger and better each year. The time-tested pairings of great cowboys, cowgirls and top stock producing a quality show that keeps the fans returning year after year. The Red Bluff Round Up continues to be a partner in the community supporting various events in the area and supporting youth rodeo and scholarship programs. For tickets call 527-1000 or at www.redbluffroundup.com