Homegrown Capitola residents Bronwyn Lessin, a junior at Pacific Collegiate School, and Kelly Niven, a junior at Soquel High, won big at the Santa Cruz County Fair!
Scheduled to compete in the Juniors for the “Cattle Sorting Competition,” these two 16-year-old plus Elliott Ramsey of Aptos High decided to try and compete against the Adults, under the lights in the Novice Division. This is one class down from Pro.
Coach Michelle Le Clair of Pleasant Valley Horse Club, where this team have been riding together since they were 5- to 6-year-olds said, “I told the kids they had every right to compete in the Juniors. But they knew they probably sweep that group. These kids decided against all odds to try and compete in the adult group.”
She added, “I told them they probably would not win in this competitive field.”
Well, not only did they win, they took 1st , 2nd and 3rd spots out of a field of more than 45 contestants.
The kids had never officially competed in sorting before.
To a packed stands filled with cheering fairgoers, Bronwyn and Kelly won the coveted 1st prize belt buckles and the jackpot money!
Kudos to Cinch Up Productions and Tony Agredano, producer and promoter, who put on the sorting competition.
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The 2023 Santa Cruz County Fair wrapped up Sunday night with music and smiles!
Attendance for the five-day Fair was up 3% overall compared to 2022.
“This uptick in attendance is a testament to the strength of the Fair,” according to a statement from the county fair. “We were able to thrive despite struggles earlier in the year, including turnover in management.”
Zeke Fraser, the new Fair CEO and manager, said, “This year’s Santa Cruz County Fair was a roaring success! As I roamed the fairgrounds throughout our five days of fun, I saw only smiling faces and happy families enjoying everything we had to offer. My thanks go out to the hard work of all of our volunteers, a tireless staff, and all of our sponsors and vendors – without them, none of this would have been possible. It wasn’t me who showed the community what it means to be home grown and locally shown … it was the community that showed me. I am honored to be a part of it all.”
Congratulations to the local 4-H and FFA students. The Junior Livestock Auction raised more than $455,000.