Rancher and Driver Joe Guild surveys for stragglers in a herd of cattle that is being driven to a corral in Lemon Valley on Wednesday during the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive. This year's cattle drive lasted 5 days and 4 nights, June 12-16. Guests traveled 100 miles through Northern Nevada terrain.
• The Reno Rodeo is 86 years old, and is the third largest professional rodeo in the world. It is a not-for-profit corporation. All proceeds from the rodeo and the cattle drive go to support community programs.
• This year's cattle drive lasted 5 days and 4 nights, June 12-16. During the five days, guest traveled 100 miles through Northern Nevada terrain and traversed 2,300 acres.
• There was a herd of 300 cattle brought from north of Reno near the California state line to the rodeo grounds in downtown Reno.
• The cattle in the herd are actually used in rodeo competition.
• This year, 45 guests joined the crew of 35 volunteers for the drive. Over the past 15 years, guests have joined the cattle drive from Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Canada and New York.
• Eight 1800s-style wagons carry the luggage and travel with the herd.
• During the drive, the chuckwagon crew served over 600 pounds of meat, 50 gallons of strong, cowboy coffee, and 40 dozen eggs.
Reno Rodeo
When: June 16-25
Where: Reno Livestock Events Center
Tickets: Call 1-800-225-2277
Information: Visit www.renorodeo.com or call 329-3877
Quotes:
"The horses we are riding and the equipment we are using goes back thousands of years." - Joe Guild, cowboy and rancher.
"This year, the United States became an importing country for food supply - the first time in history." - Joe Guild, cowboy and rancher.
"My great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather always herded cattle and I always wanted to do it." - Ken Mackey, guest from Loomis, Calif.
"I have respect for the cowboys, but it's the cowgirls that catch the glint in my eyes." - Karen Erb, guest from Marietta, Ohio.