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Silver state stampede 2022 Grand marshal ~ W.T. Bruce
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W.T. Bruce was born in 1959 in Weiser Idaho and currently lives in Homedale Idaho. He grew up in a ranching family and was around rodeo from a very young age as his father produced rodeos in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  W.T. rodeoed in the 1970’s and 80’s and his event was saddle bronc. He didn’t take up photography until his daughters started participating in Junior and High School rodeo around 1999. WT. started taking pictures at the Silver State Stampede in 2005. He stated that he likes to photograph rodeos because it gets him back into the arena, just not on the back of a bucking horse. He previously photographed around 20 rodeos a year and now he has selected the top 5 to 7 each year. He is proud to say that he photographs The American, Pendleton Roundup and the Silver State Stampede. Outside of his photography business, W.T. owns a construction company specializing in apartment remodels throughout the state of Idaho. His greatest joy in life is being a proud Father of two daughters and has two beautiful grandchildren.

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In 1998, Bell — who attended Spring Creek High School — was a junior and competed in the rough stock events of bareback riding and saddle bronc riding.

At the Carson City High School Rodeo, at Fuji Park, he was hung up during his bareback ride in the Sunday performance and was dragged around the arena before coming free.

“When I got up, I stepped on my heel and it felt like mush,” Bell said.

Almost immediately after, he climbed on his saddle bronc horse and broke his neck during the ride — leaving him paralyzed for the past 23 years.

“I’ve seen more good come from it than bad. I would give a lot of things to walk again, but I wouldn’t go back and change anything that has happened,” he said. “A lot of people have told me that I’ve been an inspiration to them and to others, and I’ve had some really cool opportunities.”

Andy Bell marks out a saddle bronc from the chute during a high school rodeo in the late 1990s. ELKO — More than two decades after a life-changing accident, Andy Bell — who was severely injured during a high school rodeo in Carson City is named the Grand Marshal

Silver state stampede 2020 Grand marshal ~ Zeb Bell
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49 years announcing rodeos....I've been blessed. From Florida to California, from Washington to New Jersey, I've said "Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen", at thousands and thousands of performances. Some of my career highlights include being selected numerous times for the NFR, chosen to announce at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the World Equestrian Games in Spain. I need to pull back on the reins right here and say that my success and long career would not have been possible without my best friend and beautiful wife of 49 years...Deanne. She is my rock. For many years, I was the announcer at this Silver State Stampede and to be named' Grand Marshall" is a great honor and I'm very proud to be here. The Silver State Stampede is one of the best rodeos anywhere, reflecting a glimpse into the past with the Old West Bronc Ridin' to the present with many million dollar cowboys. To all my friends here in the Elko area I'm very humbled and proud to have my name associated with YOUR Silver State Stampede - may God bless you all....and thank you.

Zeb

Past Grand Marshals

2022 W.T. Bruce

2021 Andy Bell

2020 Zeb Bell

2019 Don Newman

2018 Cashman Equipment Company

2017 Jim Pitts

2016 Marvin McDade

2015 Nelo Mori

2014 Walter Winchell

2013 Dean Rhoads

2012 Dee Dee Garcia

2011 Hank Filippini

2010 Silver State Stampede Board of Directors

2009 Floyd Slagowski

2008 Joann Murphy

2007 Betty Bear

 

2006 Tom Marvel

2005 Marge Prunty

2004 Bill Maupin

2003 Barbara Farmer

2002 Walt Leberski

2001 Lourinda Wines and Eddie Murphy

2000 Thelma Weaver

1999 Joann Wright

1998 Jack Walther

1997 George Smiraldo

1996 Rocky Roa

1995 Elias and Alice Goicoechea

1994 Loyd Sorensen

1993 Wayne Marteney

 

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