LOVELOCK - Why would a person get on the back of an animal weighing over 1,000 pounds that only wants to throw him off?
Why would a person participate in a sport when they know it's not a matter of if they get hurt, but when they get hurt and how bad they'll be hurt?
Garth Brooks sings, "It's the broncs and the blood; it's the steers and the mud; and they call the thing rodeo."
Are the cowboys who participate in this sport athletes or crazy adrenaline junkies?
Chuck Morris, owner of Rockin M Rodeo, says it's a little of both.
"Once you do it, it gets in your blood and it's hard to get it out," Morris said.
Morris is a three-time Sierra Circuit Saddle Bronc Champion, a two-time NIRA National Champion, and a CHSRA State Champion. Morris rode the rodeo circuits over 20 years and says "there's nothing like it."
Morris spends his time now breeding rodeo broncs. His rough stock horses and bulls will be featured in the Hell on Hooves Rodeo in Lovelock on Sept. 7.
The Hell on Hooves Rodeo is back in Lovelock for its third year. It is powered by MKC Rodeo Productions, which is made up of local Lovelock residents J.J. and Julie Meyers, Jodie Chico and DeWayne Kulbeth.
"We're not bringing in amateurs. We're bringing in a professional rodeo company," Kulbeth said.
The rodeo is sanctioned with the California Cowboys Pro Rodeo Association (CCPRA). It is one of the last rodeos in the CCPRA 2013 tour before CCPRA finals in Red Bluff, Calif. Sept. 27-28.
"A lot of our guys will be out there (Lovelock) chasing the year-end points. They'll be putting on a good show for you," CCPRA State Secretary Katie Olhiser said.
Rockin M Rodeo is one of four rough stock providers for the CCPRA. Morris said he has provided rough stock for the last two rodeos held in Lovelock and was happy to provide "the best broncs you'll find" for the third Hell on Hooves Rodeo.
In the days of old, bucking broncs could be caught off the range, but the idea was to break the steed. Nowdays bucking horses are bred, Morris said.
"The best way to have a good bucking horse is to breed it," Morris said.
He has spent many years narrowing down the bloodlines to provide regional rodeo associations with the best in bucking broncs and bulls.
"I'm passionate about raising horses. I want them to buck hard," he said.
In addition to raising rough rodeo stock, Rockin M also supplies horses and cattle for movie and commercial endeavors. While contracts prohibit him from naming names, he promises if you are a fan of western movies you've seen his stock.
This year Hell on Hooves is bringing rodeo royalty to Lovelock. The Grand Entry will be lead by Miss Rodeo Nevada, Tara Bowlby, with her horse Hoot; Miss Reno Rodeo, Ashley Espin, with her horse Pistol and Miss Nevada High School Rodeo, Lovelock's own Sarah Rogers, with her horse Little Dee.
Rough stock rodeo events include bull riding, bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, and ranch bronc riding. The ranch bronc riding is a jackpot event. These events are open to local cowboys too. Call Julie Meyers (775) 442-0454 for more information and to sign-up. In addition there will be a jackpot team roping competition; sign-up at 10 a.m. at the Lovelock Rodeo Grounds.
The rodeo presents entertainment for young and old. There will be a weiner dog race that is open to the public. Sign up for the race is at 4 p.m. with the trials at 4:30 p.m. The top five weiner dogs will compete for prizes during the rodeo. This event is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.
Parents, be sure to bring the kids. Kids will have the opportunity to compete in the boot race and the calf scramble; sign-ups at the rodeo.
The Hell on Hooves Rodeo starts at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7 at the Lovelock Rodeo Grounds on Reservoir Road. Admission is $5 for 12 years old and up and under 12 are free.
"We're trying to keep the prices reasonable, so a family can come out and have some fun and not go broke," MKC Rodeo Production member Kulbeth said.
Admission to the rodeo includes the Steven Christie Band performance after rodeo events.
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