The San Diego Rodeo Returns for Year 3 at Petco Park

The San Diego Rodeo made its return for the third year at Petco Park drawing in a massive crowd of 60,000 for the weekend. Not to mention bringing even more in from the concert after parties! Headlining the After Party Concert Series was Charley Crockett, Jamey Johnson, and Cody Jinks.

This weekend was filled with non-stop action from start to finish with events such as Bareback Riding, Down Roping, Breakaway Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding. Many of the sports most talented cowboys and cowgirls participated in the San Diego Rodeo, including a variety of NFR Qualifiers and even some of the NFR Champions.

Friday night was a strong kick-off to what was to come over the course of the weekend! In Bareback Riding Dean Thompson took first, followed by Jacob Lees in second, and Kashton Ford in third. Next up was Tie Down Roping with Joel Harris taking first, Tyler Calhoun taking second, and John Douch taking third (who was a force to be reckoned with all weekend). As the night went on, we moved into the next event Breakaway Roping with Hali Williams taking first, Cheyanne McCartney taking second, and Aspen Miller taking third.

For my personal favorite event Saddle Bronc Riding, Zac Dallas placed first, Dawson Hay placed second, and Kade Bruno placed third. Moving on to Steer Wrestling, Will Lummus took first, Jesse Brown took second, and Bridger Anderson took third. Up next is Team Roping with Clay Smith/Nicky Northcott leading, Tyler Tryan/Levi Lord taking second, and Derrick Begay/Colter Todd taking third. Heading into the final two events of the night, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding with Hailey Kinsel placing first in the Barrel Race, followed by Wenda Johnson in second, and Hayle Stillwell in third. Closing the night was one of the most anticipated events Bull Riding, placing first was Wacey Schalla, taking second was Jeremy Maisonneuve, and for third it was Jordan Spears.

This concluded night one of the San Diego Rodeo and we headed to Gallagher Square to finish off the night with one of country music’s biggest stars Charley Crockett. As the lights dimmed, you could tell that the night was far from over for this San Diego crowd! Charley came out on stage with such an intense presence, fully demanding the attention of the crowd. Charley performed some of his hit songs like “Crucified Son,” “$10 Cowboy,” and more! Wearing an all denim look with a vest and of course, belt buckle.

Saturday night was a night to remember with a sold-out crowd! In Bareback Riding Rc Landingham took first, followed by Jacob Lees in second, and Clayton Biglow in third. Jacob Lees made sure San Diego knew he was here to compete and win! Next up was Tie Down Roping with John Douch taking first, Kyle Lucas taking second, and Tom Crouse taking third. As the night went on, we moved into the next event Breakaway Roping with Maddy Jacobs taking first, Hali Williams taking second, and Rylee George taking third. Next event was Saddle Bronc Riding, Zac Dallas placed first for the second night in a row showing he wasn’t here to play games, Statler Wright placed second, and Logan Hay placed third.

Moving on to Steer Wrestling, Grant Peterson took first, Justin Shaffer took second, and Bridger Anderson took third for the second night in a row and put up one hell of a run over the weekend! Up next is Team Roping with Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler leading, Andrew Ward/Jake Long taking second, and Tyler Tryan/Levi Lord taking third. Heading into the final two events of the night, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding with Hayle Stillwell showing San Diego that she’s not here to play by placing first in the Barrel Race for Saturday night, followed by Emily Beisel in second, and Hailey Kinsel in third. Closing the night was the iconic Bull Riding, placing first Jeremy Maisonneuve, taking second was JR Stratford, and for third it was Bryce Jensen.

Tonight’s after party was headlined by country music icon Jamey Johnson! Jamey Johnson is one of my personal all time favorite country music artists. He is one of the best song-writers in the industry with hits like “In Color” and “High Cost Of Living” which he performed tonight. As soon as he started playing “In Color,” I looked around in the crowd and noticed the atmosphere change, it fully slowed down and everyone was mesmerized by Jamey’s performance. This song has always had a deep way of making time freeze and everyone feels every emotion possible. Jamey is one of those artists that doesn’t have to put on a huge production because just his vocals and presence is enough.

As the weekend came to a close, we approached Championship Sunday where the best of the best compete one more time, trying to prove why they are the best and take home that championship prize. Kicking off this Championship Sunday was the showing of competitors, where all the contestants came out and lined up in front of the sold out crowd. Moving into the first event of the night was Bareback Riding with Rc Landingham taking home the championship, followed by Dean Thompson in second, and Jacob Lees in third.

Next up was Tie Down Roping with John Douch taking first, Tyler Calhoun taking second, and Joel Harris taking third. As the night went on, we moved into the next event Breakaway Roping with Hali Williams taking first, Rylee George taking second, and Rickie Fanning taking third. Next event was Saddle Bronc Riding, Kade Bruno won and truly showed he wasn’t here to play games, Statler Wright placed second, and Kolby Wanchuk placed third. Moving on to Steer Wrestling, Will Lummus took first, Grant Peterson took second, and Tucker Allen took third. Up next is Team Roping with Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler placing first, Dustin Equsquiza/JC Flake taking second, and Andrew Ward/Jake Long taking third. Heading into the final two events of the night, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding with Emily Beisel taking him the championship, followed by Hailey Kinsel in second, and Megan McLeod-Sprague in third. Closing the night was the iconic Bull Riding, placing first Bryce Jensen, and taking second Jeremy Maisonneuve.

The San Diego Rodeo plans of coming back in 2027 for their fourth year which I could not be more excited for. They continuously prove why they are the must see rodeo in Southern California!