John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Due to unresolved economic concerns, the annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo has announced it will no longer be held at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. However, a new plan is already in the works.
Old Spanish Days says the Fiesta Rodeo is likely moving for 2026. An announcement at the Santa Barbara Carriage and Western Art Museum by El Presidente Fritz Olenberger and Rodeo Committee Chair Josiah Jenkins introduced the next chapter in the rodeo’s rich history.
Olenberger said, “I grew up around cowboys and rodeos, and I wanted a rodeo—and the board of directors wanted a rodeo.”
Jenkins noted that the rodeo had faced financial challenges, saying, “Last year, we had three sold-out performances… we can’t complain about that, but we had no bottom line. You can’t continue an event or reinvest in yourself without a little left over each year.”
The operating budget included sponsorships, ticket sales, and fees for the showgrounds. For 2025, Jenkins said, “The economics of running this event have always been tight—it’s always been hard—and this year, we just couldn’t pencil it out.”
He explained that the daytime events, primarily featuring younger participants, and the nighttime events with more seasoned competitors were essentially two separate shows being operated.
Looking ahead, Jenkins said, “Ventura has approached me. We’ve got the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center, we’ve got the Elks Center in Santa Maria—there are some facilities we can use and work with.”
Frustrated with the situation at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Jenkins added, “Our people just don’t want to work with those folks.” He also pointed out the significant expenses for touring riders and their teams to travel to Santa Barbara and stay in hotels.
The Showgrounds responded by saying it was “surprised and deeply saddened” by the decision and noted that its staff had been working with Old Spanish Days on possible solutions, though no agreement was reached. Showgrounds CEO Ben Sprague stated, “Looking ahead, Earl Warren Showgrounds will remain a home for celebration, culture, and community connection—and will continue exploring ways to host a rodeo event in the future.” He also said they had gone to extra lengths to work with Old Spanish Days during negotiations—efforts they may not have extended to another group.
Old Spanish Days acknowledged it had been a difficult relationship with the Showgrounds, citing “staff who, regrettably, have at times created an adversarial environment for our volunteers, participants, and committee members.”
The Fiesta Parade, El Desfile Histórico, known for its hundreds of horses, has long been a central part of Old Spanish Days. While the rodeo may be relocating, the parade will continue to feature a full list of equestrian entries, drawing thousands of spectators who come to see the variety of horses and carriages.
On May 17, the annual La Primavera event will take place, during which the 2025 Old Spanish Days poster and pin will be revealed. Olenberger said, “I think you will really like those—it will be something special, and I’m very proud of them.”
He also addressed recent backlash on social media, saying, “I would like the finger-pointing to stop, the accusations to stop.” Olenberger emphasized that there are many celebrations and positive events still to come this year.
Just last week, Natalia Treviño and Victoria Plascencia were selected as the 2025 Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta in a competition held at the Lobero Theatre.
Monday afternoon, The Earl Warren Showgrounds CEO Ben Sprague released this statement:
“We were surprised and deeply saddened to learn earlier this month that the Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo made the decision not to continue this year. Since then, we’ve been diligently working with Old Spanish Days to find a solution to produce the event.
The Showgrounds was fully prepared to keep the rodeo tradition alive this year and presented a thoughtful, collaborative proposal to make it possible. While OSD has chosen not to move forward, we respect their decision and share their hope that the spirit of community, heritage, and horsemanship will continue to thrive.
Looking ahead, Earl Warren Showgrounds will remain a home for celebration, culture, and community connection—and will continue exploring ways to host a rodeo event in the future.”
Old Spanish Days sent this letter to the Earl Warren Showgrounds:
April 17, 2025To the Boards of the 19th District Agricultural Associationand the Earl Warren Showgrounds Foundation3400 Calle RealSanta Barbara, CA 93105RE: Old Spanish Days Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse ShowDear Board Members,At our most recent Old Spanish Days Board of Directors meeting, attended by current BoardMembers, Past Presidentes, and Associate Members, we held a thorough and heartfelt discussionregarding our long-standing partnership with the Earl Warren Showgrounds and the April 16thproposal presented by your leadership.First and foremost, we would like to reflect on our deep and meaningful history. Since our firstFiesta celebration in 1924, equestrian events have been central to our mission. In 1958, the FiestaRodeo and Stock Horse Show moved to the Earl Warren Showgrounds, where it remained for thepast 67 years. Over the course of that partnership, Old Spanish Days produced a world-classprofessional rodeo that celebrated the vaquero spirit, brought together thousands of communitymembers, and generated substantial revenue for the Showgrounds. We are proud of what we builttogether.However, it is with great disappointment that we now find ourselves at a crossroads. After decadesof attempting to work collaboratively toward a fair and sustainable agreement, we can no longer, ingood faith, continue producing the Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse Show at the Earl WarrenShowgrounds.Despite repeated efforts over many years, we have been unable to reach an agreement that allowsOld Spanish Days to meet its fiduciary responsibilities or uphold the standards our community,participants, and sponsors expect. Our core concerns have been communicated consistently: We have long requested a flat fee agreement in lieu of unpredictable post-event invoicing,which has repeatedly placed the Rodeo at financial risk, many years in the red. We have asked for equitable access to revenue streams generated by our audience—parking,concessions, food and beverage, stabling, and RV fees—none of which have been madeavailable to support the event’s operational viability. We have struggled with timely receipt of contracts, which in turn has jeopardized our abilityto meet obligations with partners such as the PRCA.Page TwoRE: Old Spanish Days Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse Show We have experienced ongoing operational challenges with staff who, regrettably, have attimes created an adversarial environment for our volunteers, participants and committeemembers. Despite a $1.5 million investment from the equestrian community, the condition of thefacilities remains substandard and does not meet the expectations of our participants,attendees, or the professional standards of our event.This year alone, despite delivering our deposit early in the year, we did not receive a contract intime to confidently proceed with our financial commitments.We appreciate your time and effort in preparing the April 16th proposal to host an independentlyorganized rodeo with the support of Old Spanish Days. Unfortunately, this proposal presents severalsignificant issues. The lack of local participation and community-focused elements, such as muttonbusting, would be a great disappointment to our audience and would likely impact ticket sales. Theexperienced volunteer base required to support such an event simply is not available, and thelongstanding sponsors of the Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo are closely aligned with ourorganization—they have indicated they would not support an event produced independently of OldSpanish Days. Additionally, if the Fiesta Rodeo—with its deep community roots, extensivevolunteer support, and decades of experience—could not remain financially viable due to risingcosts, we find it highly improbable that a separate, paid-staff event could succeed under the sameconditions. Most importantly, our Board is clear that we cannot and will not lend the Old SpanishDays name or reputation to an event we do not produce, oversee, and stand behind with fullconfidence.In the end, our Board voted unanimously not to move forward with producing the Rodeo at the EarlWarren Showgrounds—neither independently nor under the structure outlined in the April 16thproposal from Mr. Milazzo and Mr. Sprague. This decision was not made lightly.As a fiduciary board, we are obligated to act in a manner that is fiscally responsible and missionaligned.Producing a world-class professional rodeo without the necessary tools, transparency, orpartnership is simply not possible under current conditions. We remain committed to our missionof honoring and preserving Santa Barbara’s cultural heritage. The Vaquero spirit will continue tolive on in Fiesta—but for now, it must do so apart from the Earl Warren Showgrounds.We thank you for the many years of shared history and hope that one day our paths might realignunder terms that reflect mutual respect, shared vision, and true collaboration.Sincerely,Board of DirectorsOld Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc.
Cc: Ben Sprague, CEO Earl Warren, Old Spanish Days Board of Directors
Earlier this month Old Spanish Days released this statement:
“After a century of tradition, horsemanship, and community celebration, the Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo has concluded its historic run at Earl Warren Showgrounds following three sold-out centennial PRCA performances in 2024. Unfortunately, due to increasing operational and production challenges, we are unable to sustain this historical Santa Barbara event for the future.
For 100 years, this event has honored the legacy of the Santa Barbara Vaquero, bringing together world-class contestants, dedicated sponsors, and passionate local spectators. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support that has made this rodeo a cherished part of Old Spanish Days annual celebration in Santa Barbara.
While it is difficult to say goodbye, we take immense pride in the impact and memories created over the decades. The Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo has left a lasting mark on Santa Barbara’s history, celebrating the skill, spirit, and tradition of the Vaquero way of life.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo would like to thank you for being part of this incredible journey the past 100 years. Though this chapter closes, the legacy of the Fiesta Rodeo will live on in the hearts of those who have ridden, cheered, and supported it for generations.”
Fiesta 2025 runs July 30-August 4 this year. Events and celebrations can be found at sbfiesta.org.
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