Saddle & Silver

There are plenty of reasons to mount up for rodeo competition, practice for countless hours and risk injury in the dusty arena. But long after the cheering has subsided and the purse is spent, the trophies taken home by champion cowboys shine on. Here are the the storied prizes riders are shooting for at the Fortuna Rodeo.

The Gary Edgmon Memorial Saddle is awarded to the top local all-around cowboy. Competitors must reside in Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity or Mendocino counties to qualify for this award. Edgmon was the owner of Ferndale Meat Co. and a member of the Fortuna Rodeo Board for many years. He was in charge of the rodeo’s deep pit barbecue while on the board and he served up a great meal. Edgmon passed away in 1998 and a memorial saddle has been given in his name ever since. He was a lifetime Fortuna resident known for his lighthearted humor and giving personality. American AgCredit, the Edgmon Famly, and Sequoia Gas Co. are proud to sponsor this award.

The Fred Barry Memorial Buckle, named after one of the larger figures in Fortuna Rodeo lore, is awarded yearly to the Humboldt County top hand.

Born and raised in Humboldt County, Barry was a cowboy and rancher. He won the all-around cowboy award at the 1941 Fortuna Rodeo and would later go on to have a successful rodeo career on the national circuit, competing in many of the big rodeos, including the Cheyenne Frontier Days, Pendelton Roundup and the Calgary Stampede. After retiring from rodeo, Fred ran a successful cattle ranching operation in Loleta and continued to be a big supporter of the Fortuna Rodeo. The Fred Barry Memorial Buckle carries on his spirit, sponsored by his son Patrick Barry

This buckle is presented to the Fortuna Rodeo’s all-around cowboy. Mobley Construction proudly sponsors this award.

Rodeo has always been a McWhorter family tradition. For 54 years, Tom McWhorter served on the Fortuna Rodeo Board, enjoying the sport and camaraderie that are part of the cowboy way of life. From 2005 until 2012, Tom’s family granted the Tom McWhorter Rodeo Scholarship to local high school rodeo participants in the California High School Rodeo Association.

Tom grew up on a ranch in Yager Creek and always enjoyed going to the high school rodeos, watching the young people develop their skills and grow into world-class athletes. “District Two has had a number of state and college champions who started in the local high school rodeo circuit,” said McWhorter’s son Ted, who continues the family’s rodeo tradition working for West Coast Rodeo Co. “We have an excellent reputation for outstanding competitors from our district.”