Wyatt Denny of Minden takes down a steer this season. The Nevada State High School Rodeo runs today through Sunday at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.
Back for the second consecutive year, the Nevada State High School Rodeo ropes into full action today.
The 2013 event starts today at 9 a.m. at the Churchill County Fairgrounds. Cowboys and cowgirls, though, began Thursday with cutting, but the first and second performances, plus the Exceptional Rodeo, queen modeling and shooting event swing into full gear today.
The main arena at the fairgrounds has undergone a facelift after last weekend’s Octane Fest. The packed dirt has been groomed — thanks to the Parks and Recreation Department — and is ready for action.
“I think they (fans) can expect a great show,” Fallon Rodeo Club director Monyca Jensen said. “Everything is split up so we can get more of the community involved.”
A bonus for fans is the rodeo will make available — for $10 per copy — 100 programs signed by former Fallon star and the 2012 World Champion heeler Jade Corkill.
Jensen and fellow director Jeff Goings said the preparations were time consuming, but the duo expect quite a show from the 109 competitors.
“This is a busy time,” Goings said. “The county splits the arena into two arenas.”
Goings joined the board late last year, and as a result fundraising efforts for the state event did not commence until February. Nevertheless, the club came through and is ready to watch as Rachel and Cord Hendrix, Billy and Kellie Quillan and Sam Goings aim to qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyo., on July 14-20.
Also competing is Fallon cowgirl Sydney Howard, who rodeos for the Washoe County Club. Howard currently sits first in goat tying and is fifth in breakaway roping.
Rachel Hendrix, meanwhile, is the reigning girls All-Around champion and has a chance to qualify in six events.
“With all the kids we have, we’ve done a good job of getting organized,” Jensen said.
The state rodeo, meanwhile, began Wednesday with the first day of the queen competition and cutting kicked off Thursday at the fairgrounds. Last year, cutting was held in Fernley, but Goings said a smaller stock allowed the event to stay in Fallon this season.
“It’s going to be nice to have everything at the fairgrounds,” he added.
Another change for the rodeo is all timed events will be held Friday and Saturday morning, which begin at 9 a.m. each day. The rough stock events — bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc — start at 7 p.m.
“Friday and Saturday is a mirror image of each other,” Goings said.
Today also marks the return of the Exceptional Rodeo for special needs children, plus the two shooting events at the Fallon Trap Club and Stillwater Firearms Association starting at 1 p.m. The trap club features trap shooting, while a .22-caliber rifle event is at Stillwater.
The queen contest wraps up today with modeling and speeches at Churchill County High School at 3 p.m. followed by the second performance.
Saturday is highlighted by the two performances and a scholarship auction and barbecue at noon.
“That is a fundraiser we really, really encourage the community to come out to,” Goings said of the auction. “The money raised at that event goes to scholarships to seniors within the organization.”
Sunday, meanwhile, is where the All-Around cowboy and cowgirl will be crowned in addition to the top four finishers in each event qualify for nationals. Those who finish fifth through 10th qualify for the Silver State International Rodeo Rodeo in Winnemucca on June 30 through July 6.
The queen coronation and first and second gos ride at 9 a.m. with the Top 15 starting at 10:30 a.m. to cap the rodeo.
“I would really love to see the people of this community get behind this rodeo again,” Goings said. “It is a sport that requires a lot of dedication. It is truly, truly a family sport.”
Junior high cowboys, cowgirl to nationals
The Fallon Junior High School Rodeo Club competed at the state finals rodeo
Jr. High Nationals in May in Eureka.
Levi Quillan placed third in bull riding and qualified for the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo in Gallup, N.M. on June 23-29. Mackay Spyrow won the team-roping event with partner Dario Cersola of Fernley. Spyrow also took second in ribbon roping with Riata Goemmer.
T.J. Griener, meanwhile, placed third in team roping with Jace McEwen, and qualified in tie down roping. Griener also earned the boys Rookie All Around title.
Bailey Griener placed fourth in goat tying. All four Fallon cowboys and cowgirl were named to Team Nevada.