Ranch Rodeo joins regional circuit

The Minden Ranch Rodeo has annually been unique both in the the type of competition held and the type of entrants it draws.

Compared with the traditional rodeo sport, it might even be considered a near polar-opposite. All ranch rodeo events are based on functions performed regularly on a working ranch.

As such, while speed and strength are still required, success is based more upon finer details learned with the trade.

"It's an event that represents this Valley's heritage," co-organizer Dan Nalder said. "It shows what actually happens on a ranch and is a tribute to our agricultural roots."

As agriculture in the region has dwindled with the economy, though, so has the rodeo's yearly list of entrants.

This year, though, the Minden rodeo became a stop on the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association series. Nalder said his hope is that with the series membership, they'll see more entries.

The finals for the series will be in Winnemucca in November, and many teams will be looking to accumulate points toward the season championship - which makes the Minden rodeo a crucial stop for those involved.

The rodeo starts Saturday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds with a slack performance at 10 a.m. and rodeo performance at 5 p.m.

The final competition is Sunday at 10 a.m. with awards following.

Events include women's steer stopping, ranch horse, dally calf roping, ranch doctoring, team branding, wild cow milking, ranch bronc riding, ranch team roping and big loop roping.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children. All proceeds go toward the Douglas County High School Rodeo scholarship fund. This year's scholarship recipient was Douglas senior Jessica Nalder, a long-time junior and high school rodeo competitor in the area.

A number of local cowboys will be competing as will entries.

"There was a ranch rodeo in Lovelock last weekend, and they had a lot of Northern Nevada teams, so it's tough to tell how many of them will come this weekend too," Dan Nalder said. "We're still getting the local guys and a lot of entries from California. It'll be good."

Joey Crandall can be reached at (775) 782-5121, ext. 212.