Top performers back in this year's Reno Rodeo

RENO " The 89th annual Reno Rodeo, the fourth-richest rodeo on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Tour, kicks off Friday at the Reno Livestock Events Center.

A total of 715 cowboys and cowgirls, including 14 regional entrants, will be competing in the nine-day event which has a purse of $557,000.

Action actually gets under way tonight when the Dodge Ride Hard Xtreme Bulls Tour comes to Reno. Forty cowboys will participate in the one-day event, which starts at 7 p.m. A total of $40,000 in prize money is at stake.

The regional entrants are led by Fallon's Jade Corkill, who along with Chad Masters, ranks second in team roping. Corkill has won $38,053 thus far.

Also entered are Carson City's Lita Scott (barrel racing), Steve Smith Jr. and Garrett Smith, also of Carson City, (team roping), Jim Usher of Gardnerville (steer wrestling), Marvel Murphy-Selvester (barrel racing), Joe Sterling Lambert (steer wrestling) from Fallon, Topaz's Matt Hussman (team roping), Squaw Valley's Blaine Ketscher (steer wrestling), Fallon's Neil Howard (tie-down calf roping) and Fallon's Chad Edgmon (steer wrestling, team roping).

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cUIEuhdotrY

Reno's Molly Wells (barrel racing), Tyler Fisher (steer wrestling) and Sparks' Renee Ryckebosch (barrel racing) also are competing. There are 31 Northern Nevada participants.

All nine of last year's champs are returning this year:

- Heath Ford (bareback), who scored 251 points on three rides, and won $10,335. Ford is currently ranked 30th, and has had a rough season.

- Todd Suhn (steer wrestling), who won $11,620 after recording a time of 14.4 on three rides. Suhn has struggled this year, and is currently No. 39.

- Team ropers Jimmy Edens and Ryan Motes, who clocked a 16.1 to bring home more than $14,000 apiece.

- Chet Johnson (saddle broncs), who scored 253 points on three rides en route to winning $9,473. Johnson is ranked No. 12 thus far in 2008.

- Tie-down roper Tyson Durfey, who recorded a 29.1 on three attempts and won $11,312. Durfey is No. 12 thus far.

- Barrel racer Maegan Reichert, who was timed in 51.35 and won nearly $10,000 for her efforts. Reichert is currently No. 8 on the money list.

- Bull rider Wesley Silcox averaged 90 points a ride and won $14,484 for his efforts. Silcox is No.2 on the 2008 money list, trailing Chance Smart by more than $55,000.

- All-around champ Jake Hannum, who won in tie-down and team roping, won $10,381 for his eforts. He isn't currently ranked in the top 25 this season.

FACTS & FIGURES

What: 89th Reno Rodeo

Where: Reno Livestock Events Center

When: Tonight through June 29. Evening performances start at 7 p.m.

Tickets: From $12 to $22. Available at www.renorodeo.com or by calling 1-800-225-2277. Extreme Bull tickets are $40.

Parking: $6. From I-80 take exit 14 at Wells Ave. and go north. Follow the curve around to the Oddie Blvd. entrance at Gate 3. Handicap parking is available. Gates open at 10 a.m. each day