Lauren Bray
The organizers of the annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta events have announced a new development after the cancellation of the Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo following disagreements with the Earl Warren Showgrounds. The Showgrounds also announced its new “Santa Barbara Rodeo Days” to take place during the same period of time.
Fiesta officials announced Tuesday that the official Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse Show will have a new home in the Santa Ynez Valley.
The Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center, located at 195 N Refugio Road, will host a similar schedule of events including barrel racing, mutton bustin’, roping, and penning.
This year’s El Presidente, Fritz Olenberger, stressed the importance of a Fiesta Rodeo that continues to honor community, families and kids.
“We are looking forward to our new rodeo venue that places an importance on families and the local equestrian community,” said Olenberger. “This is what has made the Fiesta Rodeo so special all of these years.”
On the heels of the Fiesta announcement, the Earl Warren Showgrounds announced it will also be hosting a Rodeo during Fiesta weekend.
Named “Santa Barbara Rodeo Days,” the Showgrounds state it will continue the legacy of the Vaquero spirit for the Santa Barbara community by showcasing three days of rodeo action, honoring the rich traditions of cowboy culture, horsemanship, and Western heritage.
The three Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association rodeo performances will include bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle-bronc riding, and mutton busting.
In addition, the Showgrounds will provide a Fiesta-themed Carnival, featuring rides, food, and entertainment with free entry for all.
“We’re excited to bring a professional Rodeo back to the Showgrounds and continue the proud history of celebrating our community’s Western heritage,” said Ben Sprague, CEO of Earl Warren Showgrounds. “This year marks a special moment for us, as we take the reins of rodeo. We are honored to carry forward the equestrian and vaquero traditions that have long defined California’s cowboy culture, and we look forward to sharing this iconic experience with the community.”
The Apparent Beef Between Earl Warren and Old Spanish Days
In April, Old Spanish Days announced its annual Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo, that’s been held at the Earl Warren Showgrounds for the past 67 years, would not be part of the 2025 programming.
Old Spanish Days organizers stated in a press release that despite “good-faith efforts and years of negotiation,” they were unable to come to an agreement. Organizers then held a press conference to discuss the situation further, essentially stating they were not being fairly compensated, unpredictable post-event invoicing, the pursuit of a flat fee, unmet requests for fair access to revenue streams, and inadequate facility conditions despite investments from the equestrian community.
Earl Warren CEO Ben Sprague expressed his surprise and sadness at the rodeo’s decision but remained optimistic, “We’ve been diligently working with Old Spanish Days to find a solution to produce the event…we share their hope that the spirit of community, heritage, and horsemanship will continue to thrive.”
It appears the solutions ran dry as both sides rushed to submit press releases on the same day announcing their new rodeo programs.
Old Spanish Days Fiesta runs July 30 – August 3 while the newly announced “Santa Barbara Rodeo Days” will take place August 1-3.
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Well this seems childish.
Well lookee here, it wasn’t BASIC’s “PETA-type Nancy wankers” afterall.
Does this guy ever get tired of being wrong about every. single. thing?
It does seem childish, but hey at least they got something done. Looking forward to seeing the Earl Warren event. We’ll sift through the PETA protestors if we have to.
Obsessed 🤣
If you don’t mind treating other humans like dirt, you don’t care at all about torturing animals needlessly. Thus the BI guy’s stance.
Childish?! You bet; it all started out of spite. The single person Rodeo committee decided, like any child, that if he could not have a Rodeo at Earl Warren on terms benefiting himself, then no one would have a Rodeo. Earl Warren showgrounds se atornillará.
“Santa Barbara [County] we heard you.” What a farce. The Board of OSD did not decide the turn of events, they were reacting after the fact at the Wednesday Board Meeting two days later; It was fait accompli and they back-filled with an “official vote.” The Rodeo Committee. one person had thrown gravel into the 100 year machinery.,
What does Fiesta/OSD get/benefit from the event in Santa Ynez? It is not clear anything and the truth shall remain yet another lie hidden from the public. La organización se ha ido al infierno.
I am Happy for Santa Ynez; they deserve this opportunity. The people reporting all these lies have been yet again made fools of. Go back and read the last several press releases, rife with lies.
Interesting details. OSD is obviously pretty political, unfortunately.
How so?
Nice coverage and great title, Lauren.
Sorely disappointed. I have long held hope that Santa Barbara was more progressive than this. The poor animals. Please always be kind to and show compassion for our Fellow Earthlings. When you drive past the protestors, please give them a thumbs up and a smile. Anyone who supports any Rodeo involving horses and livestock should be ashamed of themselves.
The dysfunctional and egotistical OSD board has made their bed. Good luck getting locals to Santa Ynez
¿Cómo se dice fraudlent conveyance en inglés?