Looking a little beyond the action at the California Rodeo Salinas.

Dave Faries here, admitting that I had never heard of Tomás Garcilazo before chatting with him by phone—which in retrospect is rather surprising. After all, he has been invited to the White House, performed with Linda Ronstadt, been in a Broadway musical and is a hall of famer.

That last is the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Garcilazo is a charro, skilled in floreo de reata tradition (and yes, I had to look that up, as well). He travels to events showing off his artistry with a rope, sometimes while standing on his saddle.

Garcilazo is a fascinating person and part of this week’s cover story package on the California Rodeo Salinas, in which we also feature fashion—hats in particular—and the economic impact of the event.

Of course, for many people, the rodeo—any rodeo—is simply animal cruelty played out before a crowd. We have addressed this on several occasions in the past. Some years we relegate the rodeo to an inside page, turning the cover over to other issues. But we also acknowledge that causing harm is not the purpose of professional cowboys and cowgirls. In fact, most of them actually work on ranches as their day jobs. And the skills demonstrated by them in the arena are for the most part those used to rescue, train or otherwise keep animals secure—except bull riding, of course. That’s just insanity. (I was at a rodeo ranch in eastern Colorado once. A bull took offense when I looked his direction and squared up to face me, pawing the dirt.) It is also an important event for Salinas and the area.

Personally, I feel for the animals. I also know the cowboys and cowgirls to be highly skilled—and exceedingly polite. Whatever your point of view, the rodeo offers more than bull riding, team roping and other events. Garcilazo’s rope work has been called hypnotic. The fashion can be equally stunning. There are carnival rides, live music and more, which all adds up to a big week, one that wraps up today, July 19.

Please let us know your thoughts on the matter.