AD067000_01.inddWHMMG_160600_092-117.indd 1 92 4/6/164/13/16 10:28:44 3:11:05 AMPM RODEO Special Promotion “Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is definitely a much-loved community event that celebrates our Western heritage, but what is at the core of our organization is our long legacy of supporting our local military servicemen and -women, and their families. That mission began in 1946 and continues today,” says Rich Bender, president of Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo board of directors. The Reno Rodeo has been produced by hundreds of community volunteers since 1919. In 1986, the Reno Rodeo Foundation was incorporated as a private foundation to formalize the rodeo’s tradition of giving a portion of the event’s annual net proceeds back to the residents of northern Nevada. These proceeds are allocated through scholarships, grants and endowments. Hundreds of RODEO thousands of dollars have been distributed in educational scholarships to Nevada colleges and universities, and a comparable amount goes to community-funded grants to nonprofit ROAD TRIP organizations. It also supports children with special needs, ranging from the physical to the HE AMERICAN RODEO Ranch Cowboys Foundation, which financial. The portion of the net proceeds from celebrates cowboy heritage with provides assistance to working ranch the Reno Rodeo Association to the Reno Rodeo exciting competition and cowboys and their immediate families Foundation ranges from $150,000 to $265,000 entertainment. But many rodeos through scholarships and in times of serious annually. Several million dollars have been also give back to their local crisis. The RCW F has given out more than distributed through the foundation. community organizations or charities. $2.5 million to date. “As part of the Reno Rodeo family, the Reno TMargo Patton Blair is Cattlemen’s Days “We are strongly committed to preserving Rodeo Foundation is committed to ensuring president. The fourth-generation Gunnison, the heritage and lifestyle of the working that every dollar received stays local and Colorado, rancher, says the rodeo’s origins in ranch cowboy, allowing them a venue to supports our community by serving children 1900 as a local fair, run by ranchers and showcase their skills while educating the and families throughout 14 northern Nevada volunteers, is why the organization prioritizes public and providing funds,” says Mandy counties,” says Clara Andriola, executive youth and local businesses. Morton, WRCA manager. director of the Reno Rodeo Foundation. “Our “We have a lot of families and generations Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is a WRCA-sanc- commitment is steeped in a long history by that come together and make this happen, and tioned rodeo, and in addition to the WRCA creating an organizational culture that truly that is why 4-H and FFA are very important to mission, the rodeo raises money for scholar- cares about the well-being of thousands of us,” Patton Blair says. “We try to support ships for the Sul Ross State University rodeo northern Nevadans.” organizations throughout our [Gunnison] team and agricultural department. The rodeo Valley from the Chambers of Commerce, has raised $165,000 in the last 15 years. RODEO EVENTS Rotary Clubs and Western State Colorado Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo contributes to University. We couldn't put on our event local military and its families, and has done so June 16–25 without the community support of our since 1946. The rodeo’s primary mission is to Reno Rodeo sponsors, so we try and give back that support honor servicemen and -women for their Reno, Nevada A renorodeo.com when we can.” commitment and sacrifice in protecting our Since 2005, Cattlemen’s Days has partici- freedom, and it has contributed more than $3 800-325-7328 pated in the PRCA/Wrangler fundraiser to raise million. The military is honored at every awareness for breast cancer through Tough performance, and the rodeo has a ticket Known as the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the HEEnough to Wear Pink. WithA more than $1.6LT programH to help militaryY families attend the West, “ the Reno Rodeo is a PRCA-sanctioned million raised to date, Cattlemen’s Days has rodeo. The support of Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo event with a purse of more than $500,000. The been the top fundraiser for the program in the goes to programs such as those to support rodeo—in its 97th year—welcomes more than United States. families of deployed service members, food 150,000 fans and 1,000 professional athletes to The WorkingST Ranch Cowboys AssociationA RTbaskets at the holidays, and emergency relief the 10-day event held every third week of June. is the primary fundraiser for the Working funds not covered by other programs. The Cumulus Radio kick-off concert is on June JUNE 2016 WESTERN HORSEMAN 93 WHMMG_160600_093_SAS.indd 93 4/11/16 5:59:51 PM SPECIAL PROMOTION hotel and home of the cowboy auction—call 800-687-8733 and use code BFI2016. July 1–4 St. Paul Rodeo 15 with headliner Billy Currington. St. Paul, Oregon The Reno Rodeo also features events stpaulrodeo.com including Xtreme Bulls; Bob Feist Invitational 800-237-5920 Team Roping Classic; One Day, $1 Million Reno Rodeo Invitational Team Roping; Drill Team The St. Paul Rodeo began in 1935, when a Competition; Businessman Steer Decorating group of local farmers and businessmen Contest; Cattle Dog Competition; Kids Day; organized a rough-and-tumble 4th of July rodeo Special Kids’ Rodeo, Mutton Bustin’; Junior in the city park in St. Paul, Oregon. Fifty cowboys Roping; a cattle drive; carnival; and Splash competed in that first rodeo for a purse of $500. Dogs. On June 18 at 10 a.m. a parade goes Today, the rodeo is celebrating its 81st through MidTown Reno, with additional anniversary, and as a designated Wrangler activities afterward. The Extreme Mustang Million Dollar Tour Rodeo, more than a Makeover will be held June 18–19 in conjunc- thousand competitors vie for nearly half a tion with the Reno Rodeo. Adult trainers will million dollars. The St. Paul Rodeo is one of the have the chance to compete in this event for an top 10 PRCA rodeos. estimated purse of $20,000. In addition to PRCA rodeo, “The Nation’s In 1986, the Reno Rodeo established the Greatest Fourth of July Rodeo” hosts bull riding Reno Rodeo Foundation, which has donated with the PBR Touring Pro Division on June 30. more than $5.5 million back to the local And there’s so much more than just rodeo! community through university scholarships Fans can enjoy a carnival, nightly fireworks, a and charities for children. Wild West Art Show featuring 50 artists from Don’t miss: On Saturday, June 25, Reno around the nation, the Fourth of July parade, Rodeo celebrates Kids Day, which is full of the Tack Room Saloon, and the Great Western child-friendly events including a special mutton Barbecue Cook-Off. bustin’ event for 100 kids. For ticket information and a complete schedule, visit tickets.stpaulrodeo.com. June 20 Don’t miss: The arena is the only rodeo arena Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping with trees in it. Contestants dodge the trees Reno, Nevada during competition, which can make things bobfeistinvitational.com interesting. Nightly fireworks (not just on the 303-870-6489. Fourth) follow each evening performance. Be sure to visit the Tack Room Saloon, voted one of The world’s richest one-day team roping the Top 20 Cowboy Bars in the west, and enjoy returns to Reno, Nevada, where it again falls on the great food, too! “the most anticipated Monday of the year”—June 20 during the Reno Rodeo. July 2–4 Together, the BFI and Reno Rodeo pay out Red Lodge roughly $1 million and kick off the lucrative Home of Champions Rodeo summer run in professional rodeo. Red Lodge, Montana The BFI, televised last year by RFD-TV, was redlodgerodeo.com named for founder Bob Feist of California, who 888-281-0625 was the first in the industry to offer an [email protected]. invitational format with a guaranteed purse. The roping has retained its old-school tough The Red Lodge Home of Champions Rodeo is conditions, including fresh steers and a 19-foot celebrating its 87th anniversary in Red Lodge, head-start for the steer, but the record number of Montana, July 2, 3 and 4. The rodeo’s roots date fans each year come to watch the 100 best teams back to the 1890s, when cowboys congregated in the world. on a Sunday afternoon to ride exhibition broncs. Now owned by Ullman Peterson Events, the The rodeo was officially formed in 1929 and the BFI pays out more than $650,000 in cash and title “Home of Champions” was added to the awards and is considered the most prestigious name in 1954 after a local cowboy named Bill event in roping. For a little reassurance that team Linderman won his third World All Around roping is not endangered, visit the arena the day Champion Title. before the BFI for the Junior Roping Challenge, Red Lodge is now a favorite of top contenders which runs all morning on June 19. on the road to win a world title, and it’s a great Don’t miss: Need a hotel? For reduced rates destination for families looking for an event they at The Silver Legacy Hotel & Casino—the host can enjoy together. In addition to the rodeo, 94 WESTERN HORSEMAN JUNE 2016 WHMMG_160600_092-117.indd 94 4/13/16 3:38:09 PM WHMMG_160600_093_SAS.indd 94 4/11/16 4:50:25 PM AD065613_01.inddWHMMG_160600_092-117.indd 1 95 3/30/164/13/16 9:12:143:11:10 AMPM SPECIAL PROMOTION This year’s celebration of the cowboy life July 13-16 includes 4-H livestock competition July 8, an Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Days open horse show July 10, a livestock auction, a Colorado Springs, Colorado parade and team roping and barrel racing pikespeakorbust.org competitions.