California Rodeo Salinas ground crews prep for big events

It’s not just the performers and athletes who spend countless hours getting ready for Big Week. It also takes a dedicated crew to prepare the arena.

Preparing for the California Rodeo Salinas is obviously a lot of work. Sam Jenkinson has been tending the dirt at the rodeo grounds for over 25 years. He runs a crew of 15 to 20 people to prepare the dirt for the safety of the livestock and contestants.

Different events require different preparation on the track and in the arena, such as soft soil for barrel racing or firm for bucking livestock. Water trucks are used to add moisture to the soil, tractors used to chop and grade the dirt.

Jenkinson and his team all have day jobs, but put in long hours throughout the week to make sure the grounds are prepared perfectly for each event.

“We work everything again after the event at the night, so sometimes we’re out there till 12 o’clock midnight, and then we start back over at six in the morning,” Jenkinson said.

Jenkinson said one of the most challenging parts of the job is adding the right amount of water to the soil and guessing how much is going to evaporate throughout the day. He said knowing local weather patterns is key to doing the job right.

The amazing part, is he’s been getting it right for a few decades now and plans to keep going.