WINNEMUCCA - Several members of Lowry High School's FFA class gave a presentation to Humboldt County's commissioners on the use of animals in ranching and rodeo.
The presentation was part of Nevada's reigning High School Rodeo Association Queen Shaynee Monchamp's efforts to answer some of the criticism and rhetoric from PETA and other animal rights groups regarding the treatment of animals in rodeo and ranching.
Monchamp was accompanied by Shaun Mentaberry, Maddy Gilbert and Bridgette Gilboy.
Gilboy went over some of the claims of animal cruelty made by animal rights groups, including the charge on a PETA website that rodeo is one of the bloodiest sports.
She said the charge is not substantiated by any actual statistics. Afterward, Mentaberry and Gilbert showed the commissioners saddles, ropes, halters, and other equipment, pointing out the safety features meant to protect horses and cattle used in rodeo and ranch work from injury.
The young people said their purpose was to make it clear that "You can use animals humanely in ranch work and rodeo, as long as you care for them." They also went over competition rules, as well as rules regarding the materials used in stalls and gates that protect the animals involved in rodeo events from injury.
Commissioner Garley Amos asked the young people what their thoughts were about the controversy generated by an animal rights group after a horse tripping event at a Mexican rodeo locally.
Rodeo queen Shaynee Monchamp said she watched the newscast where the film of the event was aired and she felt the depiction by the animal rights group was purposely slanted.
She said the skill practiced in "horse tripping" is needed on a working ranch because some horses will not allow you to catch them, and if they need to be moved or
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doctored, a way is needed to stop them and catch them.
The teens found a receptive audience for their views with the county commissioners. County Administrator Bill Deist said a full viewing of the film from the Mexican rodeo made it clear that the horse actually stepped on the rope and tripped himself. Commissioner Amos said, "That's the problem with a lot of these organizations; they get something and really blow it out of proportion and the public doesn't understand."
Amos, who is a working rancher, added, "When you're dealing with animals you don't know what's going to happen."
The commissioners thanked Monchamp, Mentaberry, Gilbert, and Gilboy for their presentation and wished them an enjoyable time at their upcoming FFA convention.
Humboldt County Commissioners further showed their support of rodeo by agreeing to commit $5,000 to organizers of the Silver State International Rodeo (SSIR), held in Winnemucca.
The SSIR agreed to move the event to Winnemucca in 2011, and they have committed to continue holding it here through 2016. The rodeo features post-rodeo-season competition between those high school rodeo participants who place sixth through tenth in state rodeo competition. While first through fifth placers go on to national competition, the Silver State International Rodeo gives those who place just out of the top running a chance to compete against rodeo contestants from other states and Canada and have the opportunity to win scholarships.
Although the Winnemucca Convention and Visitor's Authority put money toward attracting the event, this is the first time SSIR has come to the county for a grant. Commissioners voted unanimously to grant the $5,000, saying the week-long event is a great draw for visitors to the community.
In other action from their last meeting, the commissioners made appointments to both the Orovada Fire District and the Orovada General Improvement District. No one filed for these seats at the last general election, but over the past couple of months, efforts to find qualified people willing to serve have been successful. All three people who submitted letters of application for the open positions on the Orovada Fire District were appointed to serve: Ron Cerri, Randy McClintick, and Walter Wilson. Four people expressed a willingness to serve and were appointed to the Orovada General Improvement District: Donald Brumley, Troy Rodriguez, Charles Knos, and Don Mertens.
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