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| The 69th Annual Grubstakes Days Rodeo about to begin at Yucca Valley. |
I had some LA friends visiting and we went to our first Grubstakes Rodeo over the Memorial Day weekend.
What is a grubstake? It is money an investor gives to a prospector in return for a promised share of the profits. The first Grubstakes Days were held in 1951 financed by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. The event attracted homesteaders and outsiders and helped funnel some money to the local businesses scrambling by in the high desert. Fast forward 2019. Financing has changed. The organizer was able to secure partial funding from the town government and GoFundMe donations from business donors based in the high desert and the extra would come from ticket and vendor sales.
"Rodeo careers can end without warning, as quick as the next try at an eight-second ride." John Branch
A rodeo is quite a spectacle to process for a newbie. There is excitement and fear. Watching the riders on bareback riding the bulls and young children (young as 3!) on "mutton busting" and mini bull riding is a white knuckle experience. There is a risk of some mishap befalling and some of them did limp away and some obviously injured. The announcer maintained an unwavering upbeat patriotic banter while the rider limped away contorted in some agony.
Having no experience on horseback riding, it was amazing to see the expert horseback riding. The American Cowgirls composed of professional equestrians did a half time drill that showed off their impressive horsemanship with big US flags waving. It was a big Saturday night event for the town as all the bleachers were filled up and the maximum capacity was capped at 1,500. So most likely a 70th Annual Grubstakes Rodeo will take place next year.
Photos & videos by author / High Desert World
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