A look at 2013 competitors who should soon merit a place in the Hall of Fame.

The Athletes

Trevor Brazile ★ Not unlike Ty Murray, this Texan tie-down and steer roper has it all: the looks, the skills, and, oh, 10 All-Around World Champion buckles. Having broken nearly every record on the books, rodeo’s pre-eminent superstar and ambassador is a must-see in Salinas.

Clay Tryan ★ Another rope master, Tryan has won Salinas’ team roping event five times. In a row.

Sherry Cervi ★ The two-time World Champion barrel racer – who seems to effortlessly accelerate a barrel horse from zero to 30 miles per hour then make it turn on a dime – has used her skills to good effect, qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo 13 times and representing the U.S. at the 2002 Winter Olympics rodeo exhibition.

The Animals

Hat Stomper ★ “He’s unpredictable, and cowboys fear unpredictability,” says stock contractor Reno Rosser. In place of a rhythm or pattern, bronc Hat Stomper bucks convention with his hurricane of hooves.

King of Hearts ★ Looks can be deceiving. While this painted bull is considered both smaller and prettier than most, he packs a mean bovine punch. Should be the rankest bull in the arena come Salinas.

Western Rodeo Company ★ WRC, now in its third generation of providing quality bucks and bulls to the rodeo, includes a pedigree with all of its stock. Expect the best from the contractors who brought rodeo the 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993 PRCA Bucking Bulls of the Year.

The Unsung

Mike Storm ★ Though Storm passed away in 2010, his contributions can still be observed this year. Not only did he help move concessions away from private vendors to local charities, he also helped established the very popular Kids Corral.

Wayne Brooks ★ Having announced the Rodeo Salinas, and hundreds of rodeos across the country, for nearly 12 years, the chipper Brooks is the voice of the sport in many of its most storied places.

Andy Burrelle ★ That’s not a giant beer can with a cowboy hat, that’s ex-bullfighter Burrelle, who’ll be a “barrel man” at this year’s bullfights. He’ll walk around inside his aircraft-grade aluminum barricade and use it as a line of defense between at-risk bull riders and their gore-happy opponents, or – yes – let daring bullfighters jump off of it over a bull.

Jeff Shearer ★ Having done the job for seven years at Salinas, pick-up man Shearer, a former NFR-qualifying saddle bronc rider, is used to guiding his horse well too close for comfort to a bucking horse and picking up contestants once they fall. But he wants to give credit to his steed, saying pickup horses are “the best athletes in the arena.”