The California High School Rodeo Association (CHSRA) is the California chapter of the National High School Rodeo Association and provides competitive rodeo opportunities for junior high and high school students throughout the state.
The CHSRA High School State Finals have been held in Bishop since 2005. The event brings the top high school rodeo competitors from throughout California to the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds for approximately one week each June.
More than 300 student athletes participate in the State Finals, with families and supporters traveling to Bishop for the event. The 2027 State Finals are scheduled for June 6–12, 2027.
The event has received $25,000 from the City of Bishop in 2025.
Bishop has retained the State Finals through 2027.
The CHSRA State Finals provide a significant economic-development benefit to Bishop. The event brings more than 300 families to the community for multiple days, generating overnight lodging, restaurant, retail, fuel and other local spending.
The week-long nature of the event is particularly valuable. Participants and families are staying in Bishop and spending money locally.
The event also generates some direct revenue to the City through transient occupancy tax and sales tax. More importantly, however, the majority of the economic benefit remains within the local business community.
Council may wish to consider whether to provide the full $40,000 requested, provide a lesser amount, or request additional information from CHSRA regarding its event budget and the specific use of City funds before making a decision.
If funding is approved, staff recommends that the City enter into an agreement with CHSRA identifying the use of funds and requiring basic post-event reporting.
Staff has reached out to the Tri-County Fairgrounds to better understand the increase in billing to the CHSRA but has not heard back as of time of agenda publication.