Elliott Stern

Sports Editor at Santa Maria Times

https://t.co/YJ2KdG55Ox

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Articles

Champions show up on final day of 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo

3 weeks ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

The champions showed up on Championship Sunday at the 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, with eight-time world champion Stetson Wright riding off with three championship buckles in saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and as the All-Around champion. Wright nailed two of those three buckles on the very last ride of the final event of the rodeo. Stan Branco won his third-straight (and fourth in the last five) Santa Maria Elks Rodeo steer wrestling crown.
Samantha McDonald crowned 2025 Elks Rodeo Queen

4 weeks ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

All hail the Queen. Samantha McDonald has earned the title. The 17-year-old Righetti High School senior is the new queen of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo. McDonald finished first among the four candidates in the 2025 competition, earning $572,626 while representing Children’s Resource & Referral. “I had no idea how much of money I raised during our charity fundraising campaign. We held a lot of fundraisers but I didn’t know the total we raised.
Going to extremes: Bull rider Jesse Petri shows his stuff on Hans Solo

1 month ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

The best bulls — the best riders. They were all on display Wednesday night as the 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo got off to an early start. “We have 40 bulls and 40 riders — 14 of the top 15 bull riders in the world are here tonight,” said rough stock contractor, rodeo producer, and general manager of Flying U Rodeo Reno Rosser. “The only one missing tonight is Stetson Wright, and he’ll be here later in the weekend. “That’s the most number of entries they’ve had here in Santa Maria since 2013.
Clowning around with Matt Merritt: Clown, performer, barrelman

1 month ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is a place where champions come to compete. Not all champions are riders and ropers. One champ is Matt Merritt – a champion rodeo clown and barrelman. “I’ve just received the honor of being named the ‘Entertainer of the Year’ by the PBR (Professional Bull Riders),” said Merritt. He’s the exclusive entertainer on the PBR’s Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour, one of five tours on the PBR circuit.
Paige Stehly rides, ropes, and represents Elks Rodeo

1 month ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is known, far and wide, as one of the finest mid-sized rodeos in the country. The competitors – cowboys and cowgirls – spread the word as they move from one event to the next, as do the stock contractors, performers, and other rodeo officials. Elks Recreation Committee officers increase the Rodeo’s visibility as they travel to other rodeos and the National Finals every December in Las Vegas. Add Paige Stehly to the list.
The Golden Circle has grown into an international phenomenon

1 month ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

It started small – just a good idea to help some special local children and their families. It has grown into an international phenomenon. The Golden Circle of Champions was founded as a non-profit corporation in 2016 in partnership with the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo. Now in its ninth year it is growing bigger and stronger every day. “The idea was to help children, from infants to teenagers, who were battling cancer,” said Elks Recreation Committee Chief Operations Officer Tina Tonascia.
Two-minute drill: Local students to compete in Army Pushup Challenge at the rodeo

1 month ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

Nine of the Central Coast’s toughest kids will see if they’re up to the challenge – the Army Pushup Challenge – when they hit the dirt in the middle of the Elks Unocal Event Center Arena during Thursday night’s performance of the 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo. Students from nine Central Coast high schools will face off in a test of strength and endurance to see who can do the most pushups in two minutes. The winner will bring glory, and bragging rights, to their school.
Adilyn Batchelor is living the dream

1 month ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

The anticipation is building for this year’s 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, and no one is looking forward to it more than Adilyn Batchelor. The 9-year-old Benjamin Foxen Elementary School (Blochman Union District) fourth grader will not only attend every performance of the rodeo and parade, she’ll also be in every performance, and in the parade, at all the special events and fundraising dinners. Batchelor is the 2025 Santa Maria Elks Miss Mini Rodeo.
Kids take center stage Thursday night at the rodeo

1 month ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

The show gets started early on Thursday night, May 29, at the 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, when children ages seven to 17 take the stage for the 2025 edition of Central Coast Kids Got Talent. It begins at 5:15 p.m. on the Midway Stage, outside of the Unocal Event Center Arena. “We have 18 acts that will hit the stage for this year’s competition,” said Elks Rodeo Media Director Johnna McGuire. “Mostly it will be single kids, although there are some duos.
Bulls, barrels, and broncs: Santa Maria Elks Rodeo adds a fifth performance for 2025

1 month ago | santamariatimes.com | Elliott Stern

The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo keeps growing. The traditional four-day rodeo will now be a five-day event when the 82nd annual edition kicks off Wednesday night, May 28, at 7 p.m.“The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo has sold out every night for the last few years,” said rough stock contractor and rodeo producer Reno Rosser, the general manager of Flying U Rodeo. “I have been urging Tina (Elks Recreation Committee chief operations officer Tina Tonascia) to add a fifth night.