Silver State Stampede Elko, Nevada - July 11, 12, 13 2013

The Silver State Stampede is the oldest rodeo in Nevada. The tradition of Elko’s annual rodeo started in 1913 when GS Garcia, the world-famous bit, spur, and saddle maker, decided that northern Nevada cowboys needed a rodeo, and the town needed the added entertainment and income.
Today’s Stampede has grown into a multi-faceted event, showcasing the best of rodeo and ranch cowboys alike.

Silver State Stampede Rodeo Celebrated 100 Years in 2012

A variety of special events and opportunities for rodeo fans and collectors celebrated our centennial.

(More photos below.  Click on photos for larger views.)

In 1912, G. S. Garcia, originally from Salinas, California, put on the first Silver State Stampede in Elko, Nevada.  At that time it was a carnival and celebration, as well as a rodeo.  The rodeo committee was established with 60 community members and the gala event involved the whole community for five full days.

Here we are 100 years later and the Silver State rodeo committee put on the Silver State Stampede starting with a concert on Wednesday July 11, a kick-off party and Old West Bronc Riding and Calcutta on Thursday, and a PRCA rodeo with mutton busting and Old West Bronc Riding on Friday and Saturday evenings. John Wright produced a Bucking Bull Futurity on Sunday.  This marked 100 years for this rodeo, making the Silver State Stampede the oldest rodeo in Nevada.

On Friday evening, the performance began with a Centennial Celebration ceremony that featured 100 individuals from the community each carrying an American flag into the arena.  The flags were then placed atop the arena wall lending a special background to this centennial rodeo.  Dee Dee Garcia, descendent of G. S. Garcia, was the Grand Marshall.  She rode in the grand entry carrying a special American flag that had been flown in Washington, D. C. and was accompanied by Doug and John Wright and John’s wife and children.  Paula Wright, co-owner of J. M. Capriola Co., was honored.  Paula, who was very active in the Silver State Stampede’s centennial activities, was recently killed in a tragic horse accident.

The Centennial Silver State Stampede concluded on Saturday, with over $40,000 in purse money and prizes being awarded in seven PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association) rodeo events and two special events. All PRCA event winners received a pair of Garcia spurs. The Silver State Stampede is the only professional rodeo to offer the coveted Garcia spurs as a prize.

Kirby’s Bar T Rodeo of Chester, UT provided the rodeo stock. In 2006 and 2011, Bar T won the coveted PRCA Best Remuda award, which is given to rodeo companies whose breeding program produces exceptional bucking stock. A number of horses and bulls that had been at the NFR in Las Vegas last year were featured.

2012 PRCA Results

Saddle Bronc:

1) Landon Mecham 84 on Bitter Robin 
In addition to the Garcia spurs, Mecham received a miniature bronc saddle hand-crafted by Spring Creek, NV saddlemaker Bill Maupin.
2) Joseph Lee Harper 81 on Fire Fly
3) Charlie Kogaines 78 on Lulibelle

Steer Wrestling:

1) Ryan Shaw 4.6
2) Seth Hadlock 4.7
3) Baylor Roche 5.4

Bareback Riding

1) Josi Young 80 on Oakey Robin
2) Morgan Heaton 77 on Romantic Belle
3) Cody Kiser 75 on Oakey Robin

Tie-Down Roping

1) Justin Truman 8.2
2) Justin Brinkerhoff 8.8
3/4) JC Malone 8.9
Martin Joseph Paris

Team Roping

1) Brian Winn/Dusty Morse 5.4
2) Cy Eames/Cody Young 5.7
3) Pace Freed/Jesse Sheffield 5.8

Barrel Racing

1) Vauna Walker 16.99
2) Tracee Young 17.24
3) Chrissy Van 17.37

Bull Riding

1) Joe Frost 83 on Alamo
2) Jake Charlton 76 on Lucky Duck
3) Cooper Davis 67 on Sneaky

Cy Eames, who competed in tie-down roping and team roping, won the all-around champion was. Eames won $1,459.20.

2012 Special Events

The local favorite Silver State Stampede special events are the WSRRA sanctioned Old West Bronc Riding and the Ring of Fear.  Slim Gardner was again a favorite with his clown acts.

Alvaro “Cowboy” Rodriguez of Tuscarora, NV, won the Old West ranch-style bronc riding this year was with a combined score (average) of 173 on two horses. Rodriguez scored 92 on his first horse, winning the first round and qualifying for the second round.

The top 12 scoring riders from the first round rode a second horse. Rodriguez won a pair of handmade custom boots by Kelly Martin and a bedroll quilt by Timmy Lyn DeLong for his first round win, and, for the average, received a pair of Garcia spurs donated by JM Capriola Co, and a trophy buckle donated by Skyline Silversmiths. Rodriguez’s prize money totaled $2,350.40.

Old West Bronc Riding

1) Cowboy Rodriguez 173
2) Victor Madrigal 157
3) Malachi McLain 153
4/5) Colton Vega / Chris Baird 151

The ever-exciting Ring of Fear, sponsored by Triple Crowns Casino, was won on Friday by Nathan Morgan, who received $500 for being the last man standing in his designated ring after a PRCA fighting bull was released into the arena. Jordan Brough also received $250 on Friday for leaving his ring, thus forfeiting his chance of winning, to help his friend that was taken down by the bull. Severin Richey won the Saturday event.

This year saw the biggest crowds the Stampede has ever drawn in the past 100 years it has been produced. Hats off to the un-paid Rodeo Committee and their volunteers who made this production a huge success.

 Photo Gallery 2012