They came by the thousands.

The children of the Santa Maria Valley 8 nearly 8,000 of them 8 packed the Elks/Unocal Events Center Thursday morning for the fourth annual Santa Maria Elks Mini Rodeo, the grand opening event of the 64th annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade weekend.

It?s a rodeo in every sense of the word except that for this performance the cowgirls and cowboys are all children themselves.

BThis is great. This is always so much fun,C said Chance Machado, a 9-year old third grader at the May Grisham School.

Machado wasn?t one of the youngsters who came to watch the rodeo. He came to take part in it 8 competing in two events before the packed house of children no older than himself.

Machado came in second in the 7-9 year old Barrel Racing and tied for fourth, along with teammate Cersten Branquinho, in the Junior Junior Team Roping.

BIt?s fun to compete out there,C said Machado. BIt?s cool that my classmates get to see me.C

BThis is a lot of fun,C said Cersten Branquinho. BI like coming out here and performing before all these kids.C

The youthful wranglers all earned their shots at winning champions buckles two weeks ago during the annual Youth Rodeo.

As with all rodeo performances, the day began with the introduction of Elks Lodge #1538 officers. They were followed by the flags girls riding through the arena with their sponsor flags proudly displayed.

Skydiver Mark Schlatter was next on the schedule but high winds delayed his arrival. The winds did calm down later in the morning and Schlatter was able to make his grand entrance 8 skydiving in from 5,000 feet with one of the world?s largest American flags 8 right into the center of the arena.

Fan favorites Eddie Kutz, the world champion rodeo announcer from Big Ditch, California (aka Arroyo Grande) and Charlie BToo TallC West were back to call the action.

American Idol semifinalist AJ Tabaldo sang the national anthem and then it was time for the kids of the Mini Rodeo to take center stage.

First out of the chute were the Junior Junior Team Ropers.

As with the adult riders, the youngsters compete in two-person teams. The Header leads the way and tries to rope the steer?s horns. The Heeler follows and must rope the steer?s rear hooves. Get both ropes on 8 no easy trick with both horses and steer flying through the arena at 30-35 miles an hour 8 pull them tight and the clock stops.

Hannah Luis and Tyler Stevenson won the champions? gold and silver buckle with a near-professional time of 11.29 seconds.

Second place (with Header listed first) went to Jeff Smith and Ali Bilkey (15.03) with third place going to Cody Snow and Tyler Stevenson (29.00). There was a three-way tie for fourth between the teams of Cersten Branquinho and Chance Machado, sisters Madison and Devon Gibson, and Cody Snow and Ali Bilkey.

Next it was on to Breakaway Roping.

In this event, the rider has to lasso a steer 8 again while racing in the 30 mile per hour plus range. When the rope goes taught, it breaks away and the clock stops.

Devon Gibson won the 13-17 year old Breakaway in a time of 5.47 seconds. Second place went to Linsay Milner.

BIt is really special to perform in front of all these kids,C said 15 year old Devon Gibson, a Santa Maria native who now lives in Tehachapi. BIt is just so much fun to compete in front of this huge crowd because the kids just bring so much energy to the arena.C

Ali Bilkey won the buckle in the 12-and-under Breakaway with a run of 3.07. Cersten Branquinho and Cody Snow tied for second place.

For the first time at the Mini Rodeo, the audience was treated to Bull Riding and Saddle Bronc Riding performances.

Cal Poly rodeo head coach Tony Branquinho, who was just named college Coach of the Year, brought down several members of his team to show the young audience why the bucking bulls and broncos are called Brough stockC.

Ted Bert, the West Coast Regional college champion, rode the bull School Teacher for the full 8 seconds. For his effort, Kutz awarded Bert 85 points. Then the bulls got really rough. The Principal tossed Josh Verburg in the dirt in about 4 seconds and The Far Western sent Jeff Unke flying in 2 seconds.

Unke then tried his hand at Saddle Bronc riding but didn?t fare any better 8 School Days tossed him off like a rag doll. Elliot French did complete a good 80 point Saddle Bronc ride to with this exhibition.

The audience was then treated to a performance by professional trick rider Niki Moran. Moran is this year?s specialty act and will entertain crowds as she hangs off the side or stands atop her fast-moving horse during each rodeo performance.

Then it was back to the action with barrel racing in four different age groups.

Sara Honegger won the buckle in the 13-17 year old division with a time of 18.25 seconds around the three-barrel course.

Taylor Jacobsen (18.91) came in second and Devon Gibson (19.09) third. They were followed, in order, by Melissa Fortier (19.44), Abbie Stoltey (20.13) and Rene Ledesma (24.78).

Ali Bilkey won the 10-12 Barrel competition in 19.47. She was followed by Lexie Segura (19.91), Haley Hamer (19.94), Madison Gibson (20.03) and Cersten Branquinho (20.43).

BIt didn?t go as smotth as I wanted it to today but it was still a lot of fun,C said Madison Gibson.

Kelsi Pond took home the buckle in the 7-9 division with a time of 19.68. Second place went to Chance Machado (19.90) followed by Morgan Sarten (21.41), Amy Stoltey (21.44), Darbie Pond (22.35), Kassidy Hamer (23.81) and Amber Stoltey (24.50).

And in the 6-and under division, Brandon Westfall won the buckle with a time of 26.34. Second place went to Fallon Ruffoni (42.07) and third went to 2-year old Haliegh Grant who finished the course in 1:14.24.

Haliegh rode the course on 16-year old Frankie.

BHe?s a good horse,C said Haliegh?s aunt Marcey Teixeira who led the youngest competitor through the course. BFrankie is Fallon Ruffoni?s horse. He?ll go just as fast as you want him to. But he also knows when he?s carrying a little one so he just takes it easy with Haliegh.C

BIt was fun,C said Haliegh. BHe?s a real nice horse.C

q Sports Editor Elliott Stern can be reached at 739-2235 or by e-mail to elliottstern@santamariatimes.com