Senior Pro Rodeo comes to Fernley

Fernley has a big weekend planned for this year's National Senior Pro Rodeo at the Out-of-Town Park rodeo arena.

Nancy Payne, executive secretary for the National Senior Pro Rodeo in Hamilton, Mont., said a tour rodeo offers more money for winners, but the entry fees have been increased. She also said tour rodeos triple the points.

Mary Wells, director of the Fernley Senior Pro Rodeo committee, said a $4,200 pot will be distributed among each event winner from each day.

The Senior Pro Rodeo features events for cowboys and cowgirls 40 years and older. They compete in many of the traditional rodeo events. All local contestants belong to the 1,400-member national association which sanctions 70 rodeos in the United States an Canada.

The senior circuit begins in late winter in Arizona and Texas and concludes the regular season in Fallon next weekend.

Wells said the youngsters will also have an activity on both days.

"We will have stick- horse racing before each event," she said.

Wells said a raffle will be held for approximately 50 prizes. Half of the proceeds from the raffle will go to the Safe Embrace shelter for abused women and children.

The kickoff party for the rodeo begins today at 7 p.m. at the Silverado Casino, and the during the day Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., different events celebrating Fernley's 100th birthday will be held at the park.

Later that night, a Saturday Night Cowboy-Up begins at 8 p.m. at Chukars Sports Casino. Wells said the Sage Spirit Dancers from Fallon will perform.

Wells said 192 contestants have signed up for the first day.

"That's 30 more than we had last year," she said.

The first rodeo performance kicks off at 5 p.m., and the Sunday matinee performance begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, and children under 12 are free.

One of the top rodeo performers in the national Senior Pro Rodeo will be competing.

Fernley's R.C. Herrera won three individual events after last year's national rodeo, and he captured all-around cowboy for the 40-to-50-year-old division. His individual awards came in team roping, ribbon roping and calf roping.

After the Fernley stop, both Wells and Payne said many contestants will stay in the area and compete at the Fallon Senior Rodeo on Sept. 23 and 24.