De Golyer bash a success

They made it look easy.

Cody and Kristina De Golyer’s efforts led to sizeable crowds and about $1,000 for their non-profit children’s foundation last weekend at the first annual De Golyer Buckin’ Horse and Bull Bash at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.

Cody De Golyer said an estimated 800-1,000 people attended on Friday and Saturday and raised funds for their charity Cowboys and Cowgirls for Kids.

“It went great,” he added. “Everyone had a good time. The Juni Fisher concert was phenomenal and Silverwing and Nevada Hazard concerts were good too.”

The local competitors, meanwhile, took home several pieces of hardware as Fallon’s Halene Thacker won the ranch bronc riding, Billy Quillan of the Fallon high school rodeo club won the bullriding and J.W. Hall won the buckle in saddlebronc riding. In mutton bustin’, Lonny Adams and Carson Lehman each won their gos.

De Golyer, though, said the success of the event has already produced several spoils in the form of a pair of additional sponsors for next year’s event.

In addition to the rodeo, De Golyer said the three concerts (the first one was on Thursday) went off without a hitch.

“It was just a great family fun time,” he said.

The run-up to the event was hectic and the opening event, saddlebronc riding, started with a hectic setup. One of the horses, feeling the stress, whipped itself around and landed on its back in the chute.

Officials, though, calmed the animal, opened the chute and let it run back into the corral. Other than that, the event was a smooth operation with plenty of action for the fans.

“It was controlled chaos,” De Golyer said. “For the first year, it was great. We had several older folks who said thank you for bringing rodeo back to Fallon. They said they had a better time at this smaller show than the Reno Rodeo … because it was a laid back atmosphere.”

Like any new venture, adjustments will be made. De Golyer said the event will move to a Saturday-Sunday schedule to allow for more spectators to attend. More vendors are expected to join the ranks as well, since they are not charged to set up their displays and experience a solid two-day outing, De Golyer said.

To avoid down time, he said a miniature horse chuck wagon race will be introduced as well.

“We want more entertainment,” De Golyer said. “One of the things we will have is a really good clown act. We are going to try and book things earlier. We will bring more music during the day. Prices will be the same ($5 admission) for next year.”