Sunday, November 27th marks the date of the 8th Annual Ranch Rodeo produced by the Monterey County Cattlemen’s Association (MCCA) & the Salinas Valley Fair (SVF). The event combines the customs of both organizations and is held at the Rava Indoor Equestrian Arena located at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City.
As is the tradition of the MCCA, a Memorial Saddle is awarded to the All Around Winner of the Ranch Rodeo. The 2022 MCCA/SVF Ranch Rodeo Memorial saddle is dedicated to the memory of MCCA member John Brewen.
John Brewen was born on March 31,1944 in Paso Robles, California. He graduated from Paso Robles High School. He then went to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he learned to weld and shoe horses. He worked on various ranches in and around Monterey and San Benito counties. In 1965, John married Diann Houghton and they had three children.
John’s passion for welding led him into a long career of building BBQ pits, corrals, loading chutes, and more. From New Mexico to Nevada and California to Wyoming you can find his work. With a little searching you will find his trademark initials, everyone that helped, and the date the project was completed. As life changed John met Lu Harbin, calling King City home. Many a long day, and a few long nights were spent in the Carter Ranch shop as well as the shop on Lonoak Rd, that would be the final stop for Brewen Corrals. John and Lu loved to gamble. They visited “The Chief” as they often called it. Any excuse for a shop party, made them happy. From calf branding lunches, to playing cards, or a good old visit with friends were all they needed.
I am sure all of you who met John, have played the “little number game” several times. He loved to weld, brand calves, and BS with anyone. He never met a stranger. I am sure if he were here now, he would say “See you in ten days or two weeks.”