Opinion: Rodeo is an Opportunity to Unite Over Shared Values, Not Divide Us
Life on a cattle ranch is hard. The days are long, beginning before sunrise and ending long after the sun goes down, and there is always more work to be done. It is a labor of love and a cultural way of life that dates back more than a century to the birth of the American West.
Cattle ranching and cattle herding requires a very specific form of skilled labor and attentiveness to animal care and husbandry that cannot be found anywhere else. And it is these real-life herding practices of roping and steering that are proudly exhibited through rodeo.
Rodeos are woven into the very fabric of our cultural heritage. As the proud co-chairs of the San Diego Rodeo Alliance , we are thrilled for the return of the San Diego Rodeo on Jan. 10-12, 2025, at Petco Park.
Rodeo is a diverse cultural celebration. Charros, escaramuzas, cowboys and cowgirls representing Western, Indigenous, Charrería, Black and LGBT rodeo traditions all come together to showcase their skills and talents through a variety of events, all of which are based on those real-life practices found on cattle ranches.
The expression of these skills handed down by our ancestors carries deep cultural meaning and significance. Any attempt to ban and erase this cultural expression, like attempts we have seen made in Los Angeles , are deeply concerning and, in many cases, a reflection of deep misconceptions that persist about our cultural practices.
For more than 100 years, rodeos have provided a stage for Indigenous students and families to connect with our culture, heritage and animals. Rodeos create an opportunity to share our history, being seen and heard by tens of thousands who might otherwise never learn our stories.
In 2024, the San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park was a sold-out success, attracting more than 45,000 people who came to participate in these celebrations of our heritage. These record-setting attendances have led to expanding capacity, to accommodate more fans and families interested in this cultural celebration.
The wellbeing and treatment of the animals in these events is our highest priority, because they are our family, and the San Diego Rodeo is known for having among the highest animal welfare practices in the country. Our industry-leading standards for care, transportation and gear reflect our strong commitment to responsible practices.
All events are also audited and overseen by onsite veterinarians and the San Diego Humane Society , whose audit of the 2024 San Diego Rodeo found no animal welfare violations, serving as a testament to the San Diego Rodeo's responsible practices.
In fact, if there is one thing we can all agree on, it is the importance of animal welfare.
As talks of potential policymaking around rodeo take place in San Diego, we invite the city to work inclusively and collaborate with us on our shared respect for all aspects of animal care and cultural acknowledgment.
First and foremost, we advocate for decisions based on accurate information and stakeholder input to avoid any policies that could inequitably impact specific traditions over others or that dismiss rodeo as mere entertainment.
This is because our cultural practices are not only deeply meaningful to our local heritage, but they're also intertwined, making it impossible to separate rodeo by tradition. Every event, from team roping to bull riding, traces its origins back to Black, Indigenous and Hispanic roots.
We invite the city to join us in learning more about our traditions and our true animal welfare practices and to consider the cultural enrichment and shared values of the tens of thousands of constituents who gather for the San Diego Rodeo. Our collective respect for tradition, community and animal welfare far outweighs dissenting voices.
San Diego is a place where we celebrate diversity and welcome opportunities to listen and learn from the lived experiences of people from all backgrounds and cultures. The San Diego Rodeo represents the best of our community and these values, and we're proud to stand in support of this event.
