Washoe and Fernley Rodeo Round-Up

The White Pine High School Rodeo team attended the Fernley Jr/High School Rodeo on March 14-16 in Fernley, Nevada and the Washoe Jr/High School Rodeo in Reno, Nevada on March 21-23.

The Fernley Rodeo was cold and very windy, with a lot of blowing dust, challenging even the most steadfast and composed competitors. The wind was blowing over poles and even barrels during runs and you can imagine how difficult it is to rope in those kinds of conditions. The kids dug their heels in and moved forward each time their name was called, giving their very best each go.

In contrast, the Washoe Rodeo was held inside of the Reno Sparks Livestock Event Center, creating a pleasant and very controlled environment for the athletes. This allowed them to have the best opportunity to compete and a level playing ground from one contestant to the next. Washoe also held the annual Cowboy Prom the evening following first Go. The competitors got to trade in their performance attire for heels, dresses, ties, and suit jackets. So many of these athletes miss their home Prom due to the demanding rodeo schedule. This is a way to give them that same experience that they would otherwise miss.

Sawyer Bliss attended both the Fernley and the Washoe Rodeo. In Fernley, Sawyer caught and tied his first go calf in the tiedown roping but was a bit long in comparison; placing 11th first go. Second go, the wind and a fast calf got the better of him, receiving a no time and 14th in the average. In the team roping, he and his partner, Leeah, traded sides in hopes to shake up their results a bit. Sawyer has not ever competed as a heeler, but Leeah is an accomplished header. In the first go, Leeah turned the steer quick and gave a good handle, Sawyer scooped up two heels, but had to use two loops to do it, placing them 10th in the first go. Second go, Leeah again did her job and Sawyer caught both feet, but in two loops, placing them 14th in that go and 10th in the average. In Washoe, Sawyer caught both tiedown calves. First go he placed 14th; second go, despite his catch, he timed out on his calf and received a no time for 15th in the average. In the team roping, Leeah caught and turned both their steers. First go, Sawyer scooped up two feet and they placed 2nd in the go. Second go, they drew a runner and Sawyer legged, costing them a five second penalty, placing them 10th in the go and 4th in the average! Not bad for being a newbie.

Charlee Mangum made her way to the Washoe Rodeo. She added pole bending to the lineup that weekend and was able to mark two qualified times. She was smooth and correct both gos, placing 35th first go, 36th second go, and 34th in the average. First go in barrel racing, she took a barrel down for a penalty, placing her 46th in the go. Second go brought some troubles on the run and they received a no time which put them 38th in the average. We admire Charlee’s smile and positive attitude, even in tumultuous times.

In Fernley, Heston Rimington showed up to brave the elements. He climbed aboard both his bulls and gave his all. Unfortunately, the bulls got the win over Heston and he received a no score both gos. He regrouped and pulled his hat down tight for his team roping runs. The first go, their head loop didn’t meet the mark but the second one did and Heston did his job on the heels and they had a catch. Unfortunately, it was just a bit over the 30 second time limit and they received a no time. Second go, his header struggled to get the steer turned and they again received a no time. The tides will turn for Heston. His hard work will pay off.

Brooklynn Sena was also in attendance in both Fernley and Washoe. In Fernley, she had a little trouble getting in time with her horse in the pole bending and even though they had qualified times, they were dripping in penalties. They placed 34th first go, 13th second go and 27th in the average. In breakaway, she didn’t get the first go loop to catch and they took a no time. Second go, she made the catch in spite of the wind for 16th in the go, and 26th in the average. In goat tying, she was very consistent and placed 5th across the board; first go, second go and in the average, bringing several points to their overall standings. In barrel racing, her goal was to be smooth, which she accomplished. They placed 8th first go, 2nd second go and 2nd in the average, bumping those overall points. Washoe was a mix of highs and lows. Her breakaway roping was just not coming together for her. She received a no time both gos. She is in the midst of overhauling her goat tying technique and had new focus in Washoe. She placed 19th first go, 12th second go and 13th in the average, but made gains in her adjustments. In the pole bending, they placed 2nd first go, but some troubles in second go cost them the run and posted a no time, placing her a long 35th in the average. In the barrel racing, she placed 3rd in the first go. A tough decision to make a horse change in the second go led to a tipped barrel, but delivered a valuable experience and 36th in the go, 20th in the average. Brooklynn’s unique adaptability serves her well and there’s no doubt things will iron out.

The team heads to the Spanish Springs Rodeo April 4-6 in Fallon, Nevada. Safe travels to all planning to attend and best of luck. They are headed into the last push before state and numbers mean the most right now. Only four rodeos remain before the state finals and having a solid foothold at that point is a coveted position to be in. Go get ‘em White Pine!