As part of the junior rodeo, children competed in the mutin busting competition, riding sheep.
The first big rodeo of the summer kicks off next weekend with the fourth annual DeGolyer Buckin Horse and Bull Bash.
The gates open on June 24 at 4:30 p.m. with the show starting at 5:30 p.m. General admission is $10 with seniors, students with ID, and children 12 and under costing $5.
Along with local participants, cowboys and cowgirls from all over are expected to participate; in previous years, participants have come from as far as Wyoming for the rodeo. Competitors have ranged from as young as 3 years old to adults.
Kristina DeGolyer, one of the event’s organizers, said they expanded the program from last year, adding more youth events. She said they focused on youth rodeo, and part of their goal was to encourage younger cowboys and cowgirls to participate.
This year’s program includes bull and bronco riding, barrel racing, kid’s wild pony racing as well as junior bull and steer racing, and more. There will also be a free kid zone for children to enjoy before the show as well as a concert by the Nevada Hazzurd after the rodeo.
Entries are still being accepted, though DeGolyer said they would cut off enrollment Tuesday.
This year’s event will feature several changes from last year. At last year’s Bull Bash, high temperatures made things uncomfortable for people at the gate. DeGolyer recalled there were long lines for tickets and people said it was hard waiting to get in; she recalled several comment cards noted issues from the temperatures. This year, they will have an awning to allow people to escape the heat as well as free water at the gate. Another line to buy tickets is also expected to speed the process and reduce wait times.
This year the bull bash also became a non-profit event — TNT Rodeo Productions, run by the DeGolyers, now produces the event. According to DeGolyer, the funds raised will help a new youth rodeo team attend competitions. There are only five members on the team this year, though the hope is to expand as the non-profit grows.
TNT Rodeo Productions is dedicated to helping keep youth in rodeo and fostering the next generation’s interest. DeGolyer said they provide funds for young cowboys and cowgirls to attend rodeos around the country — she added the members tell the DeGolyers which rodeos they want to attend and they pay the expense.
DeGolyer said she and Cody DeGolyer appreciate the community’s support and everyone coming out to enjoy the rodeo. She said they wouldn’t be able to do any of their rodeo work without the Fallon community.
“Without the spectators we wouldn’t have it,” she said. “We really appreciate it and hope everyone can come on out.”
