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PHOTOS: Cowboys Flock to Castro Valley for the Rowell Ranch Rodeo

Muna Danish
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'The Grand Entry' of the Rowell Rancho Rodeo kicks off the rodeo in Castro Valley. Cowgirl Brook Fagundes rides down the hill behind the arena carrying the American flag. The Rowell Ranch Rodeo was first held in 1925. (Muna Danish/KQED)

For nearly a century, cowboys, ranchers and spectators have come together in Castro Valley, just off of Highway 580, for a rodeo.

The Rowell Ranch Rodeo was started by Harry Rowell, also known as the "Rodeo King of the West." Rowell, a rancher and businessman, held his first rodeo at his Dublin Canyon ranch back in 1925. Nearly 100 years later, the Rowell Rancho Rodeo still takes place at that same spot.

Today, participants from Colorado, Montana, Canada and even Brazil travel to Castro Valley to participate in the Rowell Ranch Rodeo in front of thousands of spectators. The cowboys and cowgirls compete in various events including bull riding, mutton bustin and roping.

Visitors can check out the Cowboy Experience where families can talk to participants and interact with the livestock.

"These little kids, a lot of them don't get to touch dirt anymore really," says rancher Russ Fields, "and they get to come down here and see all the animals up close, the bulls and the horses."

Cowboy Logan Patterson from Colorado prepares to compete in the bareback riding event. Participants come from as far away as Brazil to compete in the Rowell Ranch Rodeo.
Cowboy Logan Patterson from Colorado prepares to compete in the bareback riding event. Participants come from as far away as Brazil to compete in the Rowell Ranch Rodeo. (Muna Danish/KQED)
A cowboy starts his time in the bareback riding competition. Other events included steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and girls barrel race.
A cowboy starts his time in the bareback riding competition. Other events included steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and girls barrel race. (Muna Danish/KQED)
Cowboys compete in the bareback riding event. "I miss it until I see it during the day, and I see the cowboys limping out of here, and I don't miss that," said former bull rider Joe Paulo.
Cowboys compete in the bareback riding event. "I miss it until I see it during the day, and I see the cowboys limping out of here, and I don't miss that," said former bull rider Joe Paulo. (Muna Danish/KQED)
Behind the arena, cowboys get ready for the bareback riding event. While rodeo is now considered a professional sport, rodeo organizers say its roots were more about community. "In the old days, you used to see guys put wagons in a circle or cars in a circle and you had a rodeo in the center of that," says rodeo spokeswoman Afreda Sebasto.
Behind the arena, cowboys get ready for the bareback riding event. While rodeo is now considered a professional sport, rodeo organizers say its roots were more about community. "In the old days, you used to see guys put wagons in a circle or cars in a circle and you had a rodeo in the center of that," says rodeo spokeswoman Afreda Sebasto. (Muna Danish/KQED)
Behind the arena horses are collected in pens as cowboys get ready for the bareback riding event. Families and kids could interact with some of the animals at the 'Cowboy Experience' at the rodeo.
Behind the arena horses are collected in pens as cowboys get ready for the bareback riding event. Families and kids could interact with some of the animals at the 'Cowboy Experience' at the rodeo. (Muna Danish/KQED)

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