Rodeo's final day to be televised

RENO - It will be a historic day when the 88th annual Reno Rodeo finishes up on Saturday.

For the first time in history, the Reno Rodeo will be broadcast live locally. Channel 8 is handling the broadcast, which is expected to last nearly three hours.

Synergy Communications' Steve Schroeder, who handles public relations for the Reno Rodeo, said that the Pace Picante Shootout has been on television, but he points out that it is a different event and it wasn't televised locally.

Schroeder, who is producing the event along with Wade Barnett and KOLO TV, is excited because the rodeo will be shown in its entirety.

"Usually they cut down to just an hour," Schroeder said. "All the great pageantry gets cut out, and it's strictly competition packed into an hour."

Schroeder said rodeo officials approached KOLO about the live broadcast. After that, Schroeder talked to Steve Remplos, who was in charge of licensing for the PRCA.

"He is the guy who says yes or no to the broadcasts," Schroeder said. "This is the first rodeo that has been given the OK via a national license to broadcast."

Besides competition, there will be interviews with contestants and other stories that were done earlier in the week.

UPDATING THE WEB

Schroeder said that midway through June, the Reno Rodeo's website, www.renorodeo.com had received 1.5 million hits.

Schroeder is proud of the fact that the Reno Rodeo posts scores on its website as soon as they are turned over by the judges.

"It's a lot of work to keep it up," Schroeder said.

Schroeder said that next month the website will be revamped to make it even more user friendly.

"Somebody other than me can keep it updated and current," Schroeder said. "We will give sections of that website to chairmen of the respective committees. It will be updated more often and more timely. The rodeo will save thousands on updated fees."

IN THE ARENA

Andy Martinez, a four-time National Finals Rodeo participant, is back in the arena tonight for his second-round bareback ride.

Josh Peek, Brock Andrus and Tom Lewis head the steer wrestlers, and Rusty Allen and Justin Arnold are scheduled for their second-round saddle bronc rides. In tie-down roping, Peek and Cody Ohl are the top ropers. Chance Smart and Clint Craig are the top bullriders.

ON TAP

Team penning and NTPC two-man ranch sorting is scheduled for the Indoor Arena at 8 a.m.

Tonight's rodeo performance starts at 7 p.m.

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