Cowboy Protectors

Date: July 16 - July 19, 2026

Location(s):

Salinas Sports Complex

Category(s):

Rodeo

PRCA/Professional Rodeo

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The Cowboy Protector is responsible for distracting the bull while the cowboy regains his sense of direction and escapes to safety after a fall or dismount. Today's bullfighter, far from being a clown, is serious about his job; he routinely places his own life in danger in an effort to protect the cowboy. The modern bullfighter is also an accomplished athlete, a master of timing and agility.

Josh Daries

Photo by Richard Field Levine

36-year-old Josh Daries is from Salinas, CA and has been fighting bulls since 2014. He was selected to fight the California Circuit Finals twice and was the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Bullfighter of the Year five times. He is a graduate of North Monterey County High School and attended Feather River College and the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Josh made his Salinas bullfighting debut during the Big Week Bull Riding in 2021 and fought bulls in the rodeo arena in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He has been a volunteer, contestant and now personnel for his hometown rodeo. Josh lives in Clements, CA with his wife Tyla.

Chuck Swisher

Hailing from a small town in Oklahoma, Chuck Swisher began his bullfighting career at just 15 years old. His talent and dedication took him to the national stage, where he worked the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2014. In 2018, Chuck and his wife, Carolyn, launched Swisher Beef Co., a family-run business focused on providing high-quality beef to their local Oklahoma community. The duo shares a passion for livestock and the Western way of life. Chuck is honored to step into the legendary Salinas arena this year, fighting bulls in place of his injured friend and fellow beef enthusiast, Nathan Harp.

Nathan Harp

Photo by Phil Doyle

Nathan Harp, originally from Tuttle, Oklahoma, developed a passion for rodeo at a young age despite not coming from a rodeo background. His journey into the sport began at 16 through bullfighting, leading to remarkable success in freestyle bullfights after high school. Notably, he claimed the Rex Dunn World Championship Freestyle Bullfights in 2011 and became a two-time California Rodeo Salinas Bullfight Champion. Joining the PRCA in 2012, Nathan has worked at prestigious rodeos and received accolades, including appearances at the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals four times, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2021, and the PBR World Finals in 2023 and 2024, establishing himself as a respected figure in the rodeo arena.

Andy Burelle

Photo by Phil Doyle

Freestyle Bullfight Barrelman

Andy Burelle was born and raised in Michigan, “The Wolverine State.” He attended college at Eastern Michigan University and began his rodeo career as a bull rider at J Bar J Ranch. Soon after, he learned to fight bulls from the great bullfighter Rex Dunn. Andy has worked at most prestigious rodeos including the Calgary Stampede, California Rodeo Salinas and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. He offers top-notch value in showmanship, inside and outside of the arena. Andy will be in the barrel during the Freestyle Bullfights helping his buddies stay safe while they maneuver around large angry bulls instead of fighting those bulls himself. Andy’s freestyle bullfighting experience makes him the right guy for the job and we are always happy to welcome him back to the California Rodeo Salinas. He and his wife, Robyn, son, Zane and daughter, Sonora, make their home in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Nathan Harp, originally from Tuttle, Oklahoma, developed a passion for rodeo at a young age despite not coming from a rodeo background. His journey into the sport began at 16 through bullfighting, leading to remarkable success in freestyle bullfights after high school. Notably, he claimed the Rex Dunn World Championship Freestyle Bullfights in 2011 and became a two-time California Rodeo Salinas Bullfight Champion. Joining the PRCA in 2012, Nathan has worked at prestigious rodeos and received accolades, including appearances at the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals four times, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2021, and the PBR World Finals in 2023 and 2024, establishing himself as a respected figure in the rodeo arena.