Garcilazos will showcase Mexican tradition and talent in Gooding

GOODING, Idaho – One of the most unique audiences in professional rodeo is known for its raucous reactions to the athletic exploits and heart-stopping wrecks that happen during the Gooding Pro Rodeo presented by Idaho Ford Dealers.

The throngs of folks have energized Andy James Arena after witnessing 90-point rides or arena-record barrel racing runs. They’ve gasped when a steer wrestler has taken a tumble during a bulldogging run.

It’s more than the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, though.

The cheers for Tomas Garcilazo echoed off the grain elevators when the Mexican-born charro performed in Gooding last August, and they increased when his 11-year-old son, Louis, and wife, Justine, joined him on the arena floor.

“For us, it’s an honor to be part of this year’s centennial,” Garcilazo said. “To be part of the celebration as an ambassador of my legacy and my Hispanic heritage is an honor to be part of the great production. It’s another big thing on my resume.”

The ovations rang across the town of about 3,500 people, which is why the Garcilazos return for this year’s event, set for Thursday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Aug. 16, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 13. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at the Gooding County Fairgrounds.

“Tomas and his family were a huge hit last year, which made the decision to sign them to a two-year contract even better,” said Don Gill, the manager of the fair and rodeo. “I was pretty sure it was going to be good, but the reaction we got from our amazing crowd was bigger than I anticipated. What Tomas does stands on its own, but when he adds the family into the show, it’s pretty hard to top.”

That’s true. Garcilazo has been selected to perform the opening act at the NFR more than a dozen times and has been named the PRCA’s Dress Act of the Year four times. He is a third-generation of his family to be a Mexican horseman and man of other talents that have been passed down from one family member to another via La Cherreria, a skill performed only by the Mexican charro.

“I can watch Tomas all day long and not get tired of it,” said Garrett Yerigan, who will join Steve Kenyon as the two announce this year’s celebration. “He’s such a craftsman. His talent is unlike any other, and we get to watch Louis in his career blossoming and flourishing. It’s amazing to see how it’s been passed down to Louis.”

Garcilazo is continuing the tradition by sharing his expertise with his sons; in addition to Louis, Tomas and Justine also have two younger boys, Gaspar, 4, and Ulyesse, 2. Whether all will join the family business remains to be seen, but Louis has taken to it well and has developed his own flair. His addition creates a spice of life to the Garcilazo acts.

Justine then adds to the pageantry of the shows. All dressed in true Mexican regalia, they provide a bit of a lesson on the charro’s place in history and the beauty of a horse. The Garcilazos take great pride in their equine counterparts, which have their own talents and levels of showmanship.

“Tomas is a tremendous horseman, and the things he can do with his horses prove that,” Gill said. “The thing I have noticed is that Justine and Louis work with the horses really well, too. It’s not just something that Tomas does by himself; the entire family is very talented.”

The horses are not just mounts; they’re partners. They shine, which is a testament to their training and the care they receive. The passion Tomas Garcilazo and his clan have for their part of rodeo is presented to entertain many people. Their eager to make their return to southern Idaho and experience all Gooding has to offer.

“It’s amazing the way the crowd accepts us and embraces us,” Garcilazo said. “To have that reception is incredible. That’s what encourages us to do better, and we’re looking forward to being one of the stars on that stage.”