********** HISTORY **********
Monterey County Sheriff's Posse, Inc.

1992 - Bob Boteilho / Dave Clark 1993 - Jim Gardner 1994 - Leon Ginn 1995 - Bob Boteilho / John Carr 1996 - No team in '96 1997 - Gene Blakeman 1998 - No buckle shoot in '98 1999 - Tom Polyniak

2000 - Dave Clark 300/52X 2001 - Matt Meeks 300/50X 2002 - Cecil Harrell 300/50X 2003 - Steve Perryman 300/55X 2004 - John Carr 300/55X 2005 - Jim Hay, DVM 300/52X 2006 - Wayne Farrell 300/43X 2007 - Matt Meeks 300/60X

2008 - Al Ingle 300/49X 2009 - Bryan Harty 300/45X

Salinas Californian July 12, 2008
Posse preserves tradition
An institution, it remains true to its mission to serve the county

AN EVENING SUN cast long-legged shadows, and the aromas of saddle leather and horsehide mingled in the air.

That's how it was and how it is at the home of one of the valley's most historic and durable organizations, the finely-groomed 55-acre spread at 395 Old Natividad Road known as the Monterey County Sheriff's Posse Inc. "Until the 1950s-60s, this was pretty much a men's only place," Jim Huggins said. "Now we have an added emphasis on parents, kids and family." Huggins, a retired Monterey County District Attorney investigator, is the Sheriff's Posse president. He's a man at ease in cowboy boots, white hat, jeans and a blue and white checkered shirt. The general public, in other words, is welcome, he said, and membership comes after an application process. "Only thing that'll get you expelled are bad manners and bad horses, but we've never had to boot anyone out," Huggins said. Since its first day in 1939, the Sheriff's Posse has kept faith with its stated mission, "Supporting the Western and ranching heritage of the Salinas Valley." That's evident this very day as it hosts the Big Hat Barbecue, a kick-off to the Big Week activities of the California Rodeo Salinas. Posse members also ride in the rodeo's horse parade.

Junior Rodeo
The group's two arenas and programs such as its Junior Rodeo develop the skills that riders in the rodeo need, Huggins said. The Junior Rodeo offers events from stick horse racing to bull riding - though the bulls are docile versions of their fire-breathing California Rodeo Salinas brethren. "You'll see kids in the arena practicing their horsemanship," Huggins said. "Then, when they're 20 or 30, they'll compete in the rodeo." Riders at the Posse Grounds practice barrel racing, too. They sort and pen cattle. Margaret Ostarello, 56 and a dental hygienist in Salinas, practiced team penning aboard her 10-year-old quarter horse, Lucky. In team penning, riders cut three like-numbered cattle from a herd and maneuver the bewildered trio into a small pen. "Which we'll also do at the rodeo in competition," Ostarello said. "I'm practicing so I'll be ready." Sami Simmons, 9, showed up at the Sheriff's Posse Grounds with her dad, Vernon Simmons, a retired fire department captain. The Simmons live on a ranch just east of the Pinnacles National Monument. Sami wore a riding helmet, a green blouse and jeans and rode Ernie, her spirited 8-year-old quarter horse. Settled in his saddle, Vernon watched Sami ride around the arena."She's doing great except that she's holding on to the saddle horn a bit too much," he said. Besides taking care of her horse, Sami raises a steer, which she plans to show in 4-H. Riding and ranch work have taught her responsibility and provided healthful and educational activities that she enjoys, her dad said. Nearby, Peter Chiang, a pediatric dentist in Salinas, stood outside the iron arena fence watching the riders.

'It clears the mind'
Four years ago, Chiang took up team roping. He's become a competitive amateur. July 3, he also became a member of the Sheriff's Posse. "There's a camaraderie about the sport," he said. "You're outdoors. It clears the mind." Back on Feb. 28, 1939, six Salinas men formed the Salinas Rodeo Riders and Sheriff's Posse of Monterey County. They were sworn deputies and reserve officers for the Sheriff's Office. The dynamics of life have changed dramatically since that day, and the valley has restlessly grown. "The paradigm shifts, and we in the Sheriff's Posse need to shift with it," Huggins said. "We went from being a reserve officers' organization to a non-profit, community-based effort. "So we're here as a resource to the community, as a very altruistic organization." The Posse, for example, sponsors Boy Scout Troup 275. It awards annual scholarships through Hartnell College for students headed into law enforcement or agriculture. It makes its facilities available to organizations such as Natividad 4-H. Huggins calls such activities "our give-back to the community." "We're not trying to rehab troublemakers here," he said. "We reward good behavior through the equine experience." (For a fee, the Sheriff's Posse opens its clubhouse to weddings, receptions, company parties, barbecues and so on.) Far, far above where Huggins stood, a tiny jet floated serenely over the world below. Nearer to home, the background stirred with the rumble of rush-hour traffic from Salinas. One could sense the city straining to expand its perimeter. As Salinas spreads outward, houses will one day encroach on the Posse Grounds, Huggins predicted. Yet that growth will only increase the need for the Posse's work and for the Western and ranching lifestyle it represents and protects, he said. "So we're planning on being here at least another 70 years," Huggins said.