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Rodeo tradition alive in Tehachapi
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments New shopping centers, hundreds of new homes and an influx of people keep changing the face of Tehachapi, but one thing hasn’t changed — the excitement of rodeo competition.

Oddly, the Old West culture of rough stock riding is being carried on by several local youth who are still in high school.

Sporting his silver championship buckle, Tehachapi High School student Taylor McIntosh, 16, admits he loves the sport of rodeo. Taylor participates in the bareback and saddle bronc categories.

In his most memorable event, McIntosh took second place in the state at the high school Challenge Champion Rodeo, earning his cherished buckle.

“It’s the only buckle I ever wear,” he said.

Adding to that honor, McIntosh was recently appointed by the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA), the oldest youth rodeo organization in America, to be on the Wrangler High School All Star Rodeo team.

McIntosh earned his spot on the all star team “based on his leadership qualities, academic eligibility and athletic achievements.”

While he is grateful for his awards and honors, McIntosh also enjoys the camaraderie of other rodeo competitors and confirms the long-held belief that cowboys have a special bond, a bond made even stronger by the cowboy church that is held before most rodeos begin.

“All rough stock riders read a few verses (scriptures) and say a prayer,” McIntosh said. “You’d be surprised how many believe in God in the rodeo business.”

McIntosh adds that if a person is going to be a rough stock rider, they need some kind of faith because it is a dangerous sport.

James Mann

James Mann, 29, was in rodeo competition while he attended THS, but didn’t stop competing when he graduated. Now, he continues riding the rodeo circuit, participating in saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling.

Mann won fifth in the world in steer wrestling at a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) competition.

Mann’s rodeo involvement has taken him as far away as Rapid City, S.D.
As he looks back on his rodeo experience, Mann acknowledges that it was an expensive high school sport, but said it’s a good way to keep kids out of trouble who don’t fit the mold of traditional high school athletic sports.

Mann’s love for horses comes naturally; both his father and grandfather were in the racehorse business and took horses to the Kentucky Derby. However, for Mann, cattle ranching and rodeos are his passion.

“You should try to do the things you  enjoy,” Mann said. “I enjoy riding horses and being outdoors.”

Mann often competes in rodeos in Norco, a town, he said, has maintained the Western way of life. Mann said the town even has a hitching post in front of the bar.
Mann hopes that Tehachapi can somehow continue its historical connection to the culture of rodeos and ranching.

Kendall Wilsted

Like Mann, another THS graduate, Kendall Wilsted, 20, has continued his rodeo involvement.

Wilsted is a steer wrestler and simply says he does it “because it’s fun.”

In the 2004 NIRA rodeo, Wilsted took  first-place, earning $1,050 and a belt buckle. He has also received fifth place in the California Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association (CCPRA) competition.

“I’m going to do it until I can’t do it anymore,” he said.

Wilsted’s rodeo roots run deep into his heritage. He spent many days at the ranch of his grandfather, Randall Clagg, and his uncles and cousins are also rodeo competitors.

“Grandpa had an impact on me getting into to rodeo competition,” he said.
Wilsted said he loves everything about rodeo and has made a lot of friends through the rodeo business.

He firmly believes rodeos and other horse and roping competitions should continue in America.

“It gives people things to do,” he said. “It’s a good hobby; it’s been going on forever, and it helps preserve our heritage.”

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