The wildest, richest rodeo in the West is popping off this week with plenty of family fun and events taking place at the Reno Livestock Events Center.
With a different theme every day through the rest of the week, activities kick off at 8 a.m. with the Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping events followed by the PRCA and WPRA timed slack events starting at 10 a.m. The carnival opens at 4 p.m. with plenty of thrilling rides and the main rodeo events commence at 7 p.m.
Rodeo favorites each evening include cowboy bareback riding, bull riding, Businessman Steer Decorating, Mutton Bustin’, PRCA bullfights, Saddle Bronc, Steer Wrestling, roping events, and WPRA Women’s Barrel Racing. This weekend, check out the Cowboy Church on Saturday, June 24 at 9 a.m. and the 2017 Extreme Mustang Makeover preliminary classes, freestyle finals, and EMM horse adoption on Friday and Saturday.
Here is a breakdown of some of the Reno Rodeo’s signature events:
Bareback — With his feet placed above the break of the horse’s shoulder, the cowboy is tasked with “marking out” the bucking horse properly within eight seconds holding onto the rigging with only one hand. The rider is judged by his spurring technique and control along with his “exposure” to the horse’s capabilities.
Bull Riding — Unlike the other rough stock contestants, bull riders are not required to spur probably because riding a 1-ton bull for eight seconds is hard enough! Watch as the rider leans forward “over his hand” to try to maintain balance, and check out his body position and how he uses his free arm to keep control without touching the bull, himself, or his equipment.
Businessman Steer Decorating — For those who’ve always wanted to participate in the Reno Rodeo but have never had the opportunity, the steer decorating is your chance to dress up a steer while entertaining the crowd. Watch as twelve teams of two people each attempt to tie a ribbon to the steer’s tail without allowing the steer to get the best of them. The team that decorates their steer the fastest wins the round. Sponsoring businesses and winning steer decorators get their chance of glory in the Reno Rodeo arena and someone will get to take home the sought-after Reno Rodeo Championship belt buckle.
Mutton Bustin’ — The Reno Rodeo website says it best, “Mamas if you don’t want your babies to grow up to be cowboys, you best keep them away from Mutton Bustin’.” Watch as eight young wannabe cowboys and cowgirls get a taste of rodeo life by riding sheep as far as they can around the arena.
WPRA Women’s Barrel Racing — Barrel racing is all about skill and competitiveness as a contestant and her horse gallop into the arena at full speed. Maneuvering around barrels in a cloverleaf pattern, the rider and her horse sprint around as fast as they can, trying not to touch or move the barrels.
2017 Extreme Mustang Makeover — Showcasing the importance and value of the country’s incredible mustang horses, the Mustang Heritage Foundation created the Extreme Mustang Makeover. In the Reno Rodeo’s 2-day national training competition, the public gets a glimpse into wild horses becoming trained mounts. Highlighting the versatility, beauty, and trainability of the wild horses housed in BLM’s off-range corrals, horse trainers compete for cash and prizes while trying to find suitable adopters for the American mustangs.
Don’t forget about the Reno Rodeo Theme Nights! Get into the cowboy spirit with wearing the appropriate colors:
• Wednesday, June 21- NV Wolf Pack Night
• Thursday, June 22- Coors Night
• Friday, June 23- Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night (wear your pink for breast cancer awareness)
• Saturday, June 24- Wrangler Gold Tour
For a full 2017 Reno Rodeo event calendar and descriptions, visit http://www.renorodeo.com/events.
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