In the heart of the Golden State, Salinas is one of the most unique rodeos on the calendar every year. The arena there features one of the longest scores in ProRodeo, and often times you’ll see multiple events going on at one time.

Also, it’s pronounced ro-DAY-oh, and it pays over $500,000.

BAREBACK RIDING

Stat to Know: The last three winners have been between 171 and 172 points.

What Happened Last Year: Cole Franks won the Long Round with 87.5 points and then went on to win the rodeo with 171.5 points on two. It was his first career win in California.

Athletes to Watch: In addition to his 2024 victory, Franks was also third in 2022. Mason Clements finished in the Top 4 in 2022 and 2023. RC Landingham won in 2023 and lists Salinas as his favorite rodeo.

STEER WRESTLING

Stat to Know: There has been just one time faster than 6 flat in the last two years, Stetson Jorgensen with a 5.2.

What Happened Last Year: On the long score in Salinas, Levi Rudd was 22.2 seconds on three to win by 1.7 seconds. Rudd never finished better than third in a round.

Athletes to Watch: Rudd finished sixth in 2023 to along with his 2024 win. Tucker Allen won in 2023 and was the runner-up in 2022 and 2024.

TEAM ROPING 

Stat to Know: The round-winning times the last two years have been anywhere between 6.6 and 8.6 seconds.

What Happened Last Year: Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves best handed the five-round slog and won with 46.5 seconds on five, which was three seconds clear than the rest of the field. Their best run was an 8 flat in Round 1.

Athletes to Watch: World No. 1s Derrick Begay/Colter Todd finished third a year ago.

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

Stat to Know: In 2024, nine of the finalists went to the NFR compared to just three in 2023.

What Happened Last Year: Wyatt Casper won the Finals on his way to winning over a loaded field. Dawson Hay, Brody Cress, Kade Bruno, Damian Brennan, Ryder Sanford, Ben Andersen and Lefty Holman all joined him in the Finals.

Athletes to Watch: Lefty Holman made the Finals in 2024 after winning in 2023. Ryder Sanford, who is currently on the NFR bubble, has made two straight trips to the Finals.

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Stat to Know: For the first time since 2016, all of the round-winning times were faster than 10 seconds in 2024.

What Happened Last Year: Marty Yates rallied to win the Average by winning the Finals with a 9.4-second run, which 1.7 seconds better than anyone in the round. His aggregate time was 31.3 seconds on three.

Athletes to Watch: Ty Harris finished third in 2024 and first in 2023. Marty Yates made the Finals in 2023 before his win in ’24.

BARREL RACING

Stat to Know: Every Average winner since 2019 has won at least one round.

What Happened Last Year: Tiany Schuster won the first two rounds and the Finals en route to winning the Average by exactly a second over Halyn Lide.

Athletes to Watch: World No. 2 Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi has won Salinas five times in her career.

BULL RIDING

Stat to Know: Since 2022, there have only been three qualified rides total in the Finals. If you ride two, there’s a good chance you’ll win.

What Happened Last Year: Rookie Jeter Lawrence was the only one to ride two. He covered his bulls for 86.5 and 88 points.

Athletes to Watch: Stetson Wright won this rodeo as a rookie in 2019, Reigning World Champion Josh Frost was the champion in 2023 and desperately needs to kickstart his NFR campaign this week.