The annual Reno Rodeo is right around the corner. The 88th annual event runs from June 14-23 at the Reno Livestock Event Center.
The annual event kicks off with the Dodge Xtreme Bulls Ride Hard Tour next Thursday at 7 p.m. A total of $40,000 in prize money is up for grabs in the one-night event, and fans will get an opportunity to see some of the riders who will participate in the regular portion of the rodeo the following week.
Competion begins June 15, and nightly performances will include bull riding, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and women's barrel racing.
The annual Bob Feist Invitational Pro Team Invitational is scheduled for June 18 at 8 a.m. at the indoor arena. A total of $400,000 in prize money will be at stake.
For more information on tickets, go to www.renorodeo.com.
LEADERS
At press time, here are the leaders in the various categories heading into the home stretch of the summer tour.
Bareback - Kelly Timberman $29,189; Barrel racing - Brittany Pozzi-Pharr $37,675; Tie-down roping (header) - Speed Williams $22,997; Tie-down roping (heeler) Dean Tuftin $22,997; Saddle bronc riding - Cody Wright $33,125; Bull riding - J.W. Harris $28,867; Tie-down roping - Jake Hannum $39,383; Steer wrestling - Wade Sumpter $34,420.
WHITFIELDSHOULDRETURN
The good news regarding the Reno event is that veteran tie-down roper Fred Whitfield, who has been out for five months because of back and shoulder surgery, has been given medical clearance to start his bid toward an 18th consecutive Wrangler National Finals Rodeo appearance.
"This might be my toughest challenge yet, but sitting at home the past several months has made me hungry for competition," Whitfield was quoted in a PRCA release. "As long as I'm healthy, I am going to give it my all."
Whitfield struggled with back and shoulder pain all season. In January, according to PRCA officials, doctors removed bone spurs from his c-5 and c-6 vertebrae which kept him in a neck brace for a few weeks. At that time, doctors also discovered his right rotator cuff was badly in need of repar, thus forcing a second surgery.
"I was reluctant to have the shoulder surgery, knowing I would be out for several months, but I also knew I would just be wasting my time competing if I wasn't 100 percent," said the eight-time world champion.
Whitfield said it's always been his goal of returning to action in Reno. He won the 2005 Winter Tour Final there, and he's obviously hoping the Reno event will jump-start his season.
STEERWRESTLINGSTARS
The steer wrestling event has seen some amazing performances thus far.
Luke Branquinho and Bryan Fields set arena records in San Francisco and San Angelo, Texas, respectively. Both had runs of 2.9 seconds.
CORKILL 21ST
Fallon High grad Jade Corkill cuurently sits in 21st place in the heeling standings. He has raked in a little more than $9,000 thus far.
(The PRCAcontributed to this report).
• The PRCA contributed to this report.