Zenaida Olivar talks proudly of the accomplishments of her son, Cesar de la Cruz. Trophies from his rodeo career line the walls of his parents' and grandparents' homes. "He has earned all of this because of his talent and drive," said Olivar.

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Cowboy Cesar de la Cruz is expected to haul into Tucson in his white 2005 Dodge truck pulling a three-horse trailer.

Among his precious cargo are Annie Oakley, a mare, and two geldings named Johnny Ringo and William H. Bonney.

The 23-year-old team roper travels from rodeo to rodeo across the United States, taking pleasure from the adrenaline rush brought on by competition and the breathtaking countryside.

In a telephone interview, de la Cruz said his last stop before arriving in the Old Pueblo for La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo would be the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

About 50,000 fans are expected to fill the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave., from opening day Saturday through Sunday, Feb 25.

De la Cruz, a 2001 Desert View High School graduate, is eager to see his family. He's also longing to chow down on homemade Mexican food from the kitchen of his grandmother, Yolanda Aros.

De la Cruz is on the road about 275 days out of the year as a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Last year, he won $87,171. Since he joined the PRCA in 2004, his winnings total $132,465, according to the association's Web site.

De la Cruz is a heeler and his partner and childhood friend Colter Todd, of Willcox, is the header in rodeo events that require both horsemanship and roping skills.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo, ranked in the top 20 professional rodeos in North America, will pay out more than $290,000 in prize money, according to the Tucson Rodeo Committee.

De la Cruz said he hopes to do well in ProRodeo competition starting at 9 a.m. Monday and Tuesday. He also will compete in the Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Team Roping event set for 11 a.m. Wednesday.

De la Cruz hopes he and his partner can be the top winners and walk away with about $25,000 each in prize money.

"The only reason I can do this is because God has blessed me with a great family, great horses and God keeps me safe on the road," said this fourth-generation rodeo competitor.

"My family taught me everything about rodeoing and the way to be," he said. "I feel real special to be a part of the tradition. It makes me feel proud."

De la Cruz and Arena Marie Robertson, 19, of Montana became engaged on top of "A" Mountain on New Year's Day and plan to marry next year.

De la Cruz's great-great-grandfather, Santiago Gastelum, was a rancher and professional roper who was a member of the Cowboys Turtle Association. The association was formed in 1936 and was a forerunner to the PRCA.

Gastelum was born in the mining town of Tubutama, Sonora, about 60 miles south of Sasabe, and he worked on ranches in Southern Arizona before he bought a ranch in Tubac.

"Cesar is carrying on the family legacy," said Aros, his grandmother, noting that Cesar's great uncle, Alfonso Gastelum, and Cesar's uncle, George Aros, also competed professionally.

Yolanda, 69, and her husband, Victor Aros, 80, taught their four children and seven grandchildren a love for horses and the sport of rodeo on their property off South Nogales Highway near East Los Reales Road. Victor, a retired electrician, competed professionally as a team roper after he was inspired by Gastelum.

Daily, the family tended up to 15 horses and cattle, and practiced roping in the Aros arena, recalled Zenaida Olivar, Cesar's mother.

"Cesar had a rope in his hand as a toddler, and he won his first saddle when he was 8 years old at a team-roping competition with his uncle George in Phoenix," Olivar said.

Cesar's trophies, including buckles and spurs, line the walls of his parents' and grandparents' homes.

"He has earned all of this because of his talent and drive," said Olivar. "We all are so proud of him."

What: La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo.

When: Feb. 17-25, with the Robert Moreno Band performing after the rodeo until 7 p.m.

Where: Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave.

Cost: Tickets vary but most events cost $11 to $18.

Information: 741-2233, 1-800-964-5662 or visit tucsonrodeo.com/schedule/.

What: Tucson Rodeo Parade — more than 200 entries travel along the 1 1/2-mile route.

When: Feb. 22 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Begins at South Park Avenue and East Ajo Way, heads south on Park to Irvington Road, then west onto South Sixth Avenue.

Cost: Grandstand seating at Irvington and South Sixth Avenue is $6 for adults and $4 for children age 12 and younger.