Mr. French at the Reno Rodeo

RENO - Run your eyes down the day sheet at the Reno Rodeo, and you see states like Montana, Texas, Oklahoma and South Dakota well represented.

Then you come to Evan Jayne's name and you see Marseille, France.

"I lived in France until I was 16," Jayne said after posting a 74-point bareback ride at the 88th annual Reno Rodeo Tuesday night at the Reno Livestock Events Center.

"I used to work for my dad in France. I used to trick ride. Some guys came over from the states to ride and saw me trick ride. They said I should ride broncos or bulls, something. They said I had good balance. They have three or four rodeos in France and about 10 in Italy."

Jayne came to Texas the following year as an exchange student, and ended up staying two years. He had to switch schools for his senior year because foreign exchange students aren't allowed to go to the same public school two years in a row.

Jayne won a state all-around title as a senior. He got a scholarship to Sam Houston State, and met his wife his senior year.

The Texas cowboy, who won at Fort Worth this year, recently quit his teaching job so he could rodeo full time. He taught French for two years and Agriculture one year.

"I'm not going back (to teaching)," Jayne said. "I couldn't compete trying to do this part-time."

IN THE ARENA

Bull riders Zack Oakes and J.W. Harris lead the contingent into the arena tonight along with Clayton Foltyn.

Two-time all-around champ Trevor Brazile heads the tie-down competition, and he's expected to get stiff competition from Mike Arnold, Joseph Parson and Jerome Schneeberger.

Jon Ragatz and Ronnie Fields are two of the top steer wrestlers in the arena tonight.

In team roping, the Salas brothers, Enrique and Adrian, will compete. Also in the group are Travis and Paul Sterling.

ON TAP

Women's team roping takes place at 8 a.m. today at the Indoor Arena. The event is only open to amateurs.

There will also be tie-down roping and team roping slack at 7 a.m. today.

MUTTON BUSTIN'

Carson City's Connor and Trent Funke particpated in the ever-popular Mutton Bustin' event as did Pablo Arambaru from Washoe Valley.

•Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281