No Guts. No Glory.

That could easily be the motto of the bull riders of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

The 14 bull riders who took the chance at Saturday afternoon's performance of the 65th annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo showed a lot of guts. Just five of them came away with a bit of the glory.

Two of those riders - Will Rasmussen and Wesley Silcox - had the unfortunate task of trying to catch a full eight-second ride aboard No Guts and No Glory - two of the meanest critters around. Rasmussen had his hands full with No Guts while Silcox took his chances on No Glory.

The Brahmas won both showdowns and went home to dinner with the glory while the cowboys were left eating dirt.

The rodeo tradition continues today with Championship Sunday at the Elks Unocal Events Center. The finale gets underway at 2 p.m.

Rodeo relies heavily on tradition.

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Starting with old-time cowboys getting together on a local ranch to see who could ride and rope the best, it evolved into the formal rodeo shows we see today.

The Branquinho family is a leading example of the generations-old tradition that is rodeo.

Brandy and John Branquinho are longtime Los Alamos ranchers.

They grew up on ranches in the Santa Ynez Valley and have worked their own ranch after they married in 1972 and started a family of their own.

When the Elks began the color guard in 1973, Brandy was one of its original members.

On Friday night, the Elks honored her as their special “Person of the Night.”

“It was a special night, very special,” she said. “I am humbled by this honor. The Elks mean a lot to our family. This is our favorite rodeo - our hometown rodeo. We're glad to have been a part of it all these years.”

Brandy and John Branquinho had three children - Tony, Casey and Luke.

Tony is the head rodeo coach at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo and the reigning national coach of the year, Casey is a former California state circuit All-Around champion and Luke is a former national Steer Wrestling champion.

Both Casey and Luke are in the hunt to repeat those championships. They are both currently sitting in third place - Casey for All-Around on the California Circuit and Luke for the national title in Steer Wrestling.

But on Saturday, it was the kids' turn to sit and watch.

Both parents were entered in the Team Roping competition.

Mom and Dad broke up their usual husband/wife team to compete in different team roping events.

Brandy entered the Elks Team Roping while John rode in the PRCA event.

Brandy teamed up with Frank Machado. The duo failed to place in the event.

“I got the head, I did, I did,” said Brandy. “But Frank's horse stepped in the loop. If he hadn't stepped in the loop, we would have had a good run.”

“I get more nervous watching them compete than when it's my turn in the arena,” said Casey. “But it's fun watching mom and dad compete. This is just a great thing for a family to do together.”

John's didn't have any more luck in the PRCA event but he did keep it in the family, teaming up with his nephew John Barlogio Jr. of Nipomo.

“We got a very good steer but I just didn't use him very well,” said John. “My nephew roped him well and handled him good. I just didn't get the heels.”

Barlogio's daughter, Kaila extends the tradition down another generation. She's riding the California Circuit of the Women's Professional Barrel Racer's Association and was one of the competitors during Friday night's Elks Rodeo performance.

“It's great watching mom and dad go out there and do what they love to do,” said Luke. “It's how we all got started.”

“Now I get to be the proud mom and go watch the kids,” Brandy said.

“I'm ready to go watch my sons Sunday,” John said. “It's their turn in their arena and Brandy and I will be there to root the boys on.”

All three sons will be among today's featured performers as the 65th annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo wraps up and crowns champions in all events.

Leading the way into today's finale in Elks Team Roping (with headers listed first) is the team of Jeff Mann and Rob Donlon with a two-go total of 25.4 seconds.

Saturday's quickest Elks Team Roping run of 8.8-seconds was turned in by brothers Tommy and Joey Eames.

In the PRCA Team Roping, Jake and Jim Ross Cooper topped the field with a 5.6-second run. The Coopers hold first place heading into the finale.

The Santa Ynez-based Wade Agin team claimed its second-straight victory in the Wild Horse Race. The Bill Caporgno team finished second.

In Bareback Riding, Kaycee Field's 81-point Friday night ride held on to first place. James Sursa posted a 79-point ride Saturday to move into second place. Evan Jayne's 79-point Friday ride dropped to third. Budd Munns had Saturday's second-best ride, good for 73 points and fourth place.

The crowd in the packed arena was treated to a 78-point ride in Saddle Bronc Riding by Jesse Wright Saturday, the day's top score.

It wasn't enough to catch overall leader Cody Wright who posted an 82-point ride Friday night.

Saturday also saw the next three men on the leader board when Brandon Bias (77), Clayton Selby (76) and Joaquin Real (76) rode for top five scores.

In Steer Wrestling, Blake Knowles is the man to beat. His 4.9-second run Saturday was the day's best and give him the overall lead at 10.3 seconds after two goes.

Brad McGilchrist with a 7.1 Saturday and 12.7 overall is currently in second place. Ken Lewis with a 5.1-second run Saturday and a two-go total of 12.8 seconds is currently sitting in third.

K.C. Miller and Jack Vanderlans tied for the quickest run in Tie Down Roping at 9.1 seconds on Saturday. Vanderlans leads the overall at 18.4 seconds.

Sheena Robbins posted the fastest times in both go rounds of Barrel racing.

Saturday she crossed the finish line in 17.24 seconds. Her two go total is 34.90. Rachel Myllymaki holds second place (35.22) and Stacy Dial sits third (36.15).

Steve Woolsey took over the lead in Bull Riding with an 89-point ride.

That bumped Friday night's leader, Cory Melton (87) down to second place.

Josh Vosberg moved into third place Saturday with an 83 point ride while Evan Matthews hit an 81, the day's third best score that leaves him sixth overall.

And then there's J. R. Jennings.

He's another longtime participant in and supporter of the rodeo.

At 78 years young, the Nipomo cowboy still cherishes the tradition.

“This Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is one of the best ever,” Jennings said. “I used to think I was a roper. I roped for a long, long time. Then I helped out in the roping chutes.

“You know, every state has one big time rodeo. In California, it's Salinas. Santa Maria is easily the second best. I never miss the rodeo and I always have a great time.”

Sports Editor Elliott Stern can be reached at 739-2235 or by e-mail to elliottstern@santamariatimes.com

June 1, 2008