Fallon's Billy Quillan rides a bull during the De Golyer Buckin' Horse and Bull Bash 2015. Quillan won the bullriding event.
Last year’s DeGolyer Buckin’ Horse and Bull Bash rodeo took place on one of the hottest days of the summer and even that didn’t stop 2,000 die-hard rodeo fans from turning out. Cody and Kristina DeGolyer, directors of DeGolyer Horsetraining, still strive nonetheless to put on the best show they can for this year’s bash on June 25, by starting later at 4:30 p.m. with the rodeo beginning at 6 p.m. at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.
“It’s just that it was so hot last year a lot of people didn’t want to come out in the heat, so we’re starting later this year,” Cody DeGolyer said of the main difference between this year’s show. While ticket prices have risen to $10 for general admission, remaining at $5 for seniors and children 12 and under, the increase in ticket prices is to compensate for new improvements and new attractions including womens steer riding and barrel racing, as well as a free access kidz zone with Sheriff the Clown and Amy the Artist tying balloon animals and face painting to add to the children’s experience.
“We added a free kids-zone that way the parents don’t have to worry about their kids, they can just turn them loose and they can all go and have a good time,” DeGolyer said. though he added they still want the children to enjoy the rodeo and the kidz-zone is primarily for entertainment until the main show begins.
The wild horse race is one of the main attractions returning this year in addition, of course, to the bullriding competition featuring cowboys from Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and California as well as local cowboys and cowgirls. Levi Quillan, younger brother of two-time champion Billy Quillan, will be riding this year with local competitors, and the DeGolyer’s are excited to carry on the legacy.
“Both the boys are Professional Bull Riders (PBR),” DeGolyer said, though Billy Quillan is out of state for a competition and will not be there this year. “We focused on bringing in some really good bull riders this year and ranch bronc riders. I think it’s going to be a super good time for everybody and they should be able to afford it still.”
KOLC 10-Country radio will have a live broadcast and giving away prizes before the main show, but the night doesn’t end after the rodeo. Fans will be able to enjoy Troy’s Double Shot Bar, famous according to DeGolyer for its cantaloupe daquiaris, at the Dry Gulch Saloon while the 80’s cover band Adrenaline will play a concert covered by the ticket price.
“We have some vendors too, including some craft vendors, but our main focus is putting together a really good rodeo and family fun for our community,” GeGolyer said. “This is all about keeping this rodeo here where stars are born. These kids get their start in their hometown and build and grow and become solid rodeo competitors. They get bigger and bigger after each rodeo. They’ll keep going down the road and they’ll be able to look back when they have kids and say they got their start here.”
The newer faces of rodeo will also have some of the bigger names from the surrounding states to look forward to according to the DeGolyer’s but without the hostility between veterans and new fish.
“Everyone is there to help everyone,” DeGolyer said. “There are guys who just got bucked off who help the next guy on and there are guys who are leading bull riding who will help the next guy in line to make sure he has a good ride as well. Everybody is helping everybody to make sure each rider has a good time and has the best chance of winning, so the camaraderie is alive and well. That’s one thing which is great about it — there’s no cutthroat – there’s just people who want to have a good time and it works out for everybody.”