Only fractions of seconds or scant points separate winners from the rest at the rodeo.

A year ago at the California Rodeo Salinas, Cole Franks’ first round ride in bareback edged Brayze Schill’s mark in the finals by a mere one point. The battle was equally close between Trevor Reiste and Jeter Lawrence on the bulls. And just a fraction of a second separated Marty Yates, Ty Harris and Gator Goodrich in tie down roping.

Competition is tight on the PRCA and WRCA circuits, to say the least. Indeed, at the 2024 edition of the century-old event, the top team ropers could not put any daylight between them. In the second round, Cody Cowden and Preston Burgess brought their steer to a stop in 8.4 seconds. When Aaron Tsinigine and Dennison Boone rode to best that time in the final go, the clock stopped at 8.4.

While those who oppose rodeo for its use of animals for sport, fans are locked into contests claimed by a point here or a tenth of a second there – and where in some categories the performance of the animals comes under equal scrutiny as that of the cowboys and cowgirls.

The rodeo consists of roughstock events – bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding – and timed events. The latter include tie down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, along with women’s barrel racing and breakaway roping.

Everything happens quickly. Last year, a mere seven-hundredths of a second separated the quick runs of Sharin Hall, Tiany Schuster and Shelby Bates on the barrel course.

Time is a factor in roughstock events, as well. In all three, cowboys must remain on their wildly bucking mounts for eight seconds for the ride to stand. Judges then assess the technical and style qualities of the cowboy’s work, as well as the aggressiveness of the animal.

Fans also appreciate the risk taken by the athletes – financially, rather than physically. Sponsorship helps, but competitors pay an entry fee to participate in events. And it is quite possible to leave a rodeo empty-handed. In the 2024 saddle bronc category, Wyatt Casper’s leading two-ride aggregate score bulged his wallet by $6,244. Lefty Holman finished eighth, worth $624.

Salinas can be fickle. In some events, cowboys have just one chance to advance to the final round. But for fans, there is a lot to follow.

CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS takes place 6:30pm Thursday-Friday, July 17-18; 2pm Saturday-Sunday, July 19-20. Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. $26-$40. (800) 549-4989, carodeo.com.