Gerardo Ruiz

Gerardo Ruiz was born on March 28,1998 in Salinas, CA. Gerardo grew up in Chualar, CA with his family. He brought joy, laughter, and love to all who knew him. Gera had a lifelong love for horses and bull riding, starting his bull riding journey in middle school with the CHSRA in District 4 Jr. rodeo. He spent much of his free time with his beloved horse Sunny, going to bull riding practice, or hanging out with his friends and family.
Although Gera’s time with us was short, his life was full of beautiful experiences. When he was only 13 years old, he earned a state championship win for the CHSRA Jr bull riding which got him a spot to participate in the national championship in Gallup, New Mexico in 2011. At just 15, Gera bought his first truck, “la Troca Rayo”, because he loved exploring nature and taking adventures. He loved going on long drives for bull riding competitions, family vacations, or off-roading with his friends at Pismo Beach.
Gera lived by the motto, “Keep on keeping on,” facing challenges with courage and resilience. He was known for his bright smile, love of jokes, and the joy he brought to everyone around him. He tragically passed away in a car accident on September 30, 2019, at only 21 years old, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Though his time with us was short, his memory will live on in our hearts forever.