For Stanislaus County cowgirl Bailey Castello, 21, rodeo is in her blood. Her signature event is team roping and it’s something that comes naturally for her. The Castello family has run a beef cattle ranch in Livermore for decades and as a child she learned the family business in the saddle with a rope in her hand.

Castello learned her craft through the California Junior Rodeo Association when she was younger and now as a member of the California Cowboys Pro Rodeo Association.

Currently she is ranked 16th overall in the CCPRA and has recently started barrel racing.

“It just seemed like fun to me,” she said.

Members of the CCPRA are paid for winning but participants are considered amateur level, unlike the popular Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association.

“It’s more for weekend warriors or people who are still learning their event,” explained Castello. “Monetary winnings rarely exceed cost of travel, room and board, this is about having fun.”

During the week Castello works at the Ceres Courier as an advertising representative.

Last Thursday Castello joined dozens of other rodeo cowboys and cowgirls at the Stanislaus County Fair’s CCPRA rodeo at FoodMaxx Arena. Castello easily garnered the loudest cheers from the crowd when her name was announced during the barrel racing event. While she finished one place out of the money, she enjoyed her experience.

“That was a lot of fun, it was great to ride in front of the home crowd,” said Castello.

Few moments in her rodeo life have topped the county fair but Castello points back to 2008 as the only clear moment that has.

“I (team) roped with my grandpa who was 72 at the time — don’t worry he’s still kicking — and we took first and won $1,500 each in one day. I’ll always remember roping with my grandpa,” said Castello.

Recently the cowgirl was sponsored by Go Girl Energy Drink and OhYeah! Shakes.

For more information on the CCPRA visit www.ccpra.com.

To contact Jonathan McCorkell, e-mail jmccorkell@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext 2015.