SALINAS, CA, April 8, 2025 – The California Rodeo Salinas’ Hall of Fame was established in 2010 during the centennial celebration of the largest professional rodeo in the state. The Hall honors performers, contestants, volunteers, livestock, and others who have had a profound impact on the California Rodeo Salinas over the years.
“The Hall of Fame is a vital part of preserving the rich history of the California Rodeo Salinas. Each of these inductees has left an unforgettable mark on our organization, and we’re proud to honor their legacy,” said Warren Wayland, Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee, and a Past President of the California Rodeo Salinas.
The 2025 inductees are:
Ace Berry – Contestant
Bobby Christensen, Jr. – Personnel
The Jesus Esparza Family – Notable
Fred McCargar – Staff
Bruce Taylor – Contributor & Supporter
The bi-annual Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon will take place on Thursday, July 17th, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on the Mike Storm Director’s Patio at the Salinas Sports Complex, located at 1034 N. Main Street, Salinas, CA.
Tickets are $35 per person and include lunch and beverages during the ceremony. Inductees and/or their families or representatives will receive their trophies, share remarks, and be celebrated for their contributions to the Rodeo.
The luncheon is generously presented by the Jim and Sally Martins Family.
Purchase tickets here: https://www.carodeo.com/events/2025/hall-of-fame-induction-2025
Here are the inductees’ biographies:
Ace Berry - Contestant
A legendary California cowboy, Ace Berry was born on January 13, 1947, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and raised in Oakdale, California. He made his mark early, winning the first round of team roping at the California Rodeo Salinas in 1960 at just 13 years old, and he continued to compete there until 2003. In 1970, he claimed the all-around title, competing in both team roping and bareback riding. He went on to win Salinas’ bareback riding championships in 1975 and 1977, and earned a gold card team roping win in 2002.
Ace qualified for the National Finals Rodeo six times in bareback riding and 14 consecutive times in team roping from 1962 to 1975. Just 15 years and 11 months old when he qualified for his first National Finals, Berry made rodeo history in 1972 when he won NFR average titles at both ends of the arena in his two trademark events the same year.
Ace Berry is a true cowboy icon whose legacy lives on in California rodeo history.
Bobby Christensen Jr. – Personnel
Bobby Christensen Jr. has been a dedicated figure in professional rodeo for decades, leaving a lasting mark on the California Rodeo Salinas. Born January 20, 1945, in Eugene, Oregon, Bobby and Christensen Brothers Rodeo served as the main stock contractor for Salinas from 1970 to 1989, providing top-quality livestock and unforgettable performances.
A true cowboy, Bobbie competed in bareback riding at Salinas for 15 years and served as a respected Pick Up Man for 20 years. His passion for the sport was captured in 1973 when he appeared on the cover of the California Rodeo Salinas souvenir program.
Known for his tireless dedication, Bobby poured his heart into every rodeo he produced, always striving to create events that committees and fans could be proud of. His influence helped grow the sport across the Northwest and even to Hawaii, solidifying his place as a rodeo legend.
The Jesús Esparza Family – Notable
The Jesús Esparza Family has been a beloved part of the California Rodeo Salinas for nearly 50 years. Since the mid-1970s, Mr. Esparza has proudly participated in the horse parades and grand entry, and today, three generations of the Esparza family carry on that tradition each year.
Their unwavering dedication has earned them the admiration and respect of fellow participants and Rodeo supporters. Known for their warm spirit, hospitality, and pride in their heritage, the Esparzas are a pillar of the local Charro community. They are always ready with a smile and happy to pose for photos in their traditional charro attire, helping to educate and engage Rodeo fans.
Through their consistent participation and encouragement of others, the Esparza family has played a vital role in promoting the California Rodeo Salinas and preserving its deep ties to culture, community, and tradition.
Fred McCargar – Staff
A true champion of the West, Fred McCargar dedicated nearly three decades to promoting Salinas and the California Rodeo. Born in 1889 in Montevideo, Minnesota, he studied law before moving to Salinas in 1923 to manage the Chamber of Commerce. Soon after, he became Secretary of the California Rodeo, and was founding Secretary of the Rodeo Association of America in 1926.
Widely respected in the rodeo industry, Fred’s energy, vision, and passion helped elevate the California Rodeo Salinas from a local event to one of national prominence. He started the California Outdoor Girl Contest with “Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” now the Miss California Rodeo Salinas pageant. Known affectionately as “Mr. Salinas,” he was a tireless promoter, easily recognized in his signature 10 gallon hat and Western smile.
Fred McCargar drove Ferdinand the Bull thousands of miles, famously crowned President Roosevelt with a cowboy hat, and left a lasting legacy that shaped the identity of the Rodeo and the spirit of Salinas. He passed away in 1952.
Bruce Taylor – Contributors & Supporters
A third-generation member of a Salinas Valley agricultural family, Bruce Taylor has strong roots in both the produce industry and the community. His mother, Joanne Church, was Hostess of the 1951 California Rodeo Salinas, beginning a lasting family legacy of involvement.
As the founder of Taylor Farms, Bruce has paired business success with a deep commitment to giving back. For the past 30 years, he and Taylor Farms have been major supporters of the California Rodeo Salinas, contributing to projects such as the in-arena scoreboard and leaderboard, pedestrian bridge, and the adjacent sports stadium and softball complex.
Taylor Farms also serves as the long-time presenting sponsor of the Rodeo’s annual Kick-Off Concert, bringing top-tier entertainment to Salinas and helping create a beloved community tradition.
Thanks to Bruce Taylor’s generosity and vision, the California Rodeo Salinas continues to grow and thrive, celebrating over 115 years of heritage and community spirit.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS
The 115th California Rodeo Salinas will take place from July 17-20, 2025. As a not-for-profit organization, the California Rodeo Association is dedicated to preserving the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the Western way of life, while fostering community involvement and cultural heritage. Through its signature rodeo and year-round operations at the Salinas Sports Complex, the Association provides substantial support to local nonprofits and community groups. In 2024, these efforts generated over $796,000 for local organizations through donations, vending opportunities, and fundraising events.
For more details, visit www.CARodeo.com or contact the California Rodeo Office at (831) 775-3100.
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