2024 Grand Marshal

Ray Benevides

Lake County Rodeo has invited Ray Benevides to serve as the Grand Marshall for the 94th annual rodeo. Ray has had a long standing relationship with the rodeo that dates back to 1968 when his daughter, Tami served as Rodeo Queen. Tami will be accompanying Ray into the arena this year.

Born in October 1927, Ray is 96 years young. He moved his family to Lakeport in 1959. At that time Ray, his wife Twilia and their daughters Tami and Stacy, lived on their ranch surrounded by walnut trees. Ray soon became a member of the Diamond Walnut Growers Association, the Elks Club, Rotary, and the Clear Lake Senior Horsemen.

In 1982 Ray was elected Sheriff of Lake County and served the communities of Lake County as their Sheriff until 1990. Ray was involved with the Sheriff’s posse for many years, hoping to build a facility for the Posse and rodeo grounds which is soon to become a reality.

The Lake County Rodeo Association would like to thank Ray Benevides for accepting the honor of Grand Marshall for the 2024 Rodeo and thank him for his many years of service to the Lake County residents and equine communities.

2023 Grand Marshal

Helen Owen

Helen Owen has been a staple in our community for decades, though her family ties have been here since the early years of Middletown, the Parriott Family has been an established name dating back to 1880. Helen’s ancestors helped pull the first power lines over Mount St. Helena with a team of mules.

Helen grew up working local cattle ranches that her mother Lorraine managed, where she learned different equine disciplines. She worked the racetrack, learned cutting, reigning, and barrels from some of the best trainers around. And then in the late 90s shared her knowledge by teaching and introduced many of our Lake County youth to the great sport of Rodeo.

Helen is a great mentor, role model, and teacher. She has touched so many lives and spread her passion and love for horses throughout our communities and that is why we honor her as our 2023 Lake County Rodeo Grand Marshal.

2022 Grand Marshal

Cathey Vallerga

Cathey Vallerga was born in Colusa Ca, and raised in Vallejo Ca. At the age of 5 years, she was introduced to horses and the western heritage. Her family had a boarding facility in Vallejo. Through her teen years, Cathey and her Tennessee Walker horse rode and participated in gymkhanas and both English and Western show events. Cathey’s 1st rodeo was at the age of 17 in Penn Valley and in 2018 she won the barrel racing event. This rodeo remains her favorite rodeo on the CCPRA schedule.

In the early 1970’s Cathey moved to Nevada where she cowboyed and ran wild horses. She also joined the WPRA in barrel racing and took 2nd at the championships at the Cow Palace in her first year. Cathey competed at the cow palace for 30 consecutive years, In 2010 she won the Barrel Racing event on her long-time horse dodger.

She is a member of the PRCA, CCPRA, and the WPRA. Before moving to Lake County Cathey owned and operated a western store in Napa California. After moving Lake County, Cathey started teaching young ladies to barrel race. Today she remains dedicated to mentoring young barrel racers and promoting the rodeo way of life and that is why we honor her as our 2022 Lake County Rodeo Grand Marshal.

2021 Grand Marshal

Robert Dale Anton, “Bob”

Bob Anton is a fourth generation Lake County resident who celebrated his 101st birthday on July 3, just before being the Grand Marshal for the Lake County Rodeo in 2021. His ancestors came to the Lakeport area in the early 1800s and settled on a 400-acre ranch in Scotts Valley. When he was five or six years old his parents purchased a Shetland pony named Topsy. Bob was hooked. His mother, Inez, had also been very interested in horses as a young lady. At eight years old, Bob was thrilled to get his first full-sized horse named Barney. At thirteen Bob was challenged to get a wild horse, Bob named the mare Snooks, and he broke and trained her. Months later Snooks gave birth to a colt they named Smoke. Bob trained Smoke, and both mother and son could ride mother and son horses together. In later years Bob’s two children and his niece and nephew all rode Snooks in a drill team at the Lake County Fair, directed by retired Colonel Norris L’Abbe. In 1939, Inez and Bob were members of a Lake County 16-member mounted quadrille team that was honored to be invited to perform for five days on Treasure Island at the 1939 World’s Fair. Bob was a friend to many and was truly loved by all who know him.

2019 Grand Marshal

John Jones

John was involved as a child in the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen. His life with horses started at a very young age. He has been a horse trainer and riding instructor, mentoring many children and young adults over the past 40 years. He has opened his home to a multitude of young people, teaching horsemanship, animal care, respect, responsibility, and self confidence.

John is very dedicated to the sport of rodeo, what it stands for, the tradition, and the belief that it is the American sport that helped build the foundation of our county. It represents a healthy lifestyle that gives young people a chance to develop character and respect, being responsible for themselves, their animals, their fellow human beings, and the choices they make.

Attending the Lake County Rodeo since the early 60s, John has not missed a rodeo that he can recall. He joined the the CCPRA in 1974 and the PRCA in 1983. He competed in team roping in both associations and still continues to do so on occasion. He also was a pickup man for Hemsted Rodeo Company in the 90’s and the West Coast Rodeo Company through 2012.

John was president of District 2 California High School Rodeo Association, serving eight years at the state and local levels. He was on the board for several years with the LCRA and we are honored to announce him as our 2019 Rodeo Grand Marshal.