Local Businessman Competes Against the Clock in the 2006 Ramona Rodeo

Matt Deskovick wrestles a steer in a rodeo competition.

By Tiffany Watkins

Matt Deskovick, owner and operator of CATT Farm and Ranch Supply at 629 Main St in Ramona, will be competing in the steer wrestling event at the 26th annual Ramona Rodeo on May 19 to 21.

"This rodeo is close to home and worth going to," Deskovick said.

He competes in steer wrestling in 30 to 35 rodeos a year. He tries to stay in California but also competes in out-of-state rodeos such as Prescott AZ; Window Rock, AZ and Reno, NV.He said when he was younger, he used to go to every rodeo he could, but now he's more selective and chooses to go to rodeos that pay more.

According to Deskovick, the steer wrestling event gives you 60-seconds to wrestle the steer to the ground, but that time will not win a cowboy any money.He said that the time for the steer-wrestling event in this year's Ramona Rodeo will probably have to be faster than 5.5 seconds to earn a check.The winning time for steer wrestling at the Ramona Rodeo will probably be around four seconds, he said.

Deskovick in action. Photos Courtesy of Matt Deskovick/Photos by Gene Hyder

Once he decided that he wanted to steer wrestle, it took him a year or more to find a steer wrestling coach to teach him the basics. The man for the job was Fred Hight, who lived a few miles from Deskovick and was up for the challenge. Hight, a professional steer wrestler from Ramona, frequently travels to rodeos with Deskovick to compete in the steer-wrestling events.

"I've had a few surgeries, but that's just part of it," Deskovick said. "I'm sure there are safer things to do."

But he has taken his chances and has been steer wrestling for 11 years. In addition, he is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

"I compete all year to go to the finals," Deskovick said. "It's the finals for everyone in the circuit."

He said the finals don't pay as much money as the rest of the rodeos all year long. Ramona Rodeo will be giving out a buckle for the steer-wrestling champion.

Ramona Rodeo is not the only rodeo on his calendar for this year. He has the San Diego Rodeo at the Sports Arena, plus Thousand Oaks, Redding and Hayward.

Matt and Carly Deskovick, co-owner of CATT Farm and Ranch Supply, have been married for three years and have a 1-year-old daughter, Madison.

Carly Deskovick also saddles up and rides, but not in the rodeos like her husband. She rides English and gives English and hunter-jumper lessons to about 10 students.