Billy Quillan hangs on as his bull tries to buck him off.
The fourth annual DeGolyer Buckin’ Horse and Bull Bash came to an end Saturday, and the weekend’s rodeo is being hailed a success.
Kristina DeGolyer said the event went well. She said there was great turnout from participants as well as spectators. She estimated about 2,500 people were in the stands Saturday evening.
“Everyone we talked to had a great time,” DeGolyer said. “I think we provided a good, affordable, fun family time.”
She also said the riders also had a great time and many of them complimented the organizers afterward and expressed interest in coming back for future events. There were several local riders participating, but plenty also came from other areas — a youth team, the Winnemucca Young Guns, were in attendance, as well as others from around Nevada and out of state.
This year, some changes were made to the admission process. At last year’s event, DeGolyer said there were complaints over the heat and how long it took to go through the ticket lines; this year, they put in a third ticket line, provided free water while waiting and had shade at the entrance. She said the changes were a success and everything went smoothly with people moving through the lines quickly and efficiently.
“This was the best year,” she said. “Definitely the best year yet. Year number four was a huge success for TNT.”
The various vendors also did well. The indoor bar was popular and had a line inside almost constantly. The kids zone — featuring a bounce house, water slide and face painter — was also popular.
DeGolyer added they have every intention of holding the Buckin’ Horse and Bull Bash in 2018 — she said it will always be held the last weekend in June. Next year, they may not include the free water at the entrance, though, since she said some people took advantage of it and kept grabbing water after coming in rather than buying from the vendors.
Twist & Turn Rodeo Productions, the non-profit now producing the Bull Bash, has more rodeos coming up later this year. Their next rodeo is Aug. 19, with a third on Sept. 30 and a fourth Oct. 14. More information on each of these can be found on their Facebook page.
