Four very competitive events joined the already hot Ranch Hand Rodeo from Feb. 29 through March 4, and Winnemucca Convention and Visitors Authority Marketing and Sales Coordinator Michelle Hammond Urain said she couldn't have been more pleased with the results.
"Everything turned out wonderful," said Urain last week. "The entire weekend was a success and everyone, including participants and spectators, were very pleased."
The Winnemucca Cow Dog Trial and Sale kicked off the competitions. Seventy-five canine athletes took to the arena in three classes. When it was all over, Kirk Winebargar with "Mutt & Axle" took first in the Brace Class. Pat Browning with "Jack" took top honors in the Ranch Class, and Loren Holmes and "Helga" were first in the Open Pro Class.
Additionally, eight dogs were consigned in the Winnemucca Cow Dog Sale. The top-selling dog was "Felix," which sold for $3,300 and was consigned by Rodney Hopwood and purchased by John and Sandy Luiz.
Another great event, the Winnemucca Stock Horse Challenge, crowned "Colenas Custom Pick" the Open Snaffle Bit/Hackamore champion. The horse is owned by Cari Norcutt and was ridden by Darrel Norcutt.
"Genuine Rednic," owned by John and Sandra Friberg and ridden by Flint Lee took first place in the Open Two-Rein/Bridle, while "Lenas Smart Rondo," owned by Ace Black Ranches and ridden by John Schutte took first in the Non-Pro Snaffle Bit/Hackamore. "Peptos Playboy," owned by Ty and Ronda Van Norman and ridden by Ty Van Norman was tops in the Non-Pro Two-Rein/Bridle.
The Winnemucca Ranch, Rope and Performance Horse Sale also did its part for a stellar weekend. The competition saw 65 horses sold, up from 63 in 2011, 40 in 2010 and 43 in 2009. The overall average of horses sold was $3,820; and the top 10 average of horses sold was $7,910.
"Im On Bar Time" was the top-selling horse, drawing a price tag of $12,500 from buyer Tim DeLong. Jake Telford was the consignor.
The third annual Invitational Bull Sale was another draw for Western crowds. Urain said the sale, which drew 17 sellers across the West received rave reviews from both sides of the field.
"Our buyers were thrilled with the quality of our bulls, and our sellers were very pleased as well," she said.
This year's Volume Buyer was Bob Gordon of Winnemucca. The High Selling Bull, "BC Mr Blend 1018," which sold for $5,200, was consigned by Bianchi Ranches of Gilroy, Calif., and purchased by Sunrise Ranch of Yerington.
The overall average of bulls sold was $2,756. The Black Angus average was $2,846; the Red Angus average was $2,700; the Charolais average was $3,275; and the Gelbvieh average was $2,560. The composite average was $2,075. In all 44 bulls were sold.
A Western Trade Show was open from Thursday through Sunday, also at the indoor event
center. Over 60 vendors participated with most reporting having done very well. "People were buying a lot," said Urain, adding, "Our vendors were very happy."
But the highlight of the entire weekend, of course, was the 23rd anniversary of the Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo. A Calcutta got things started Saturday morning, March 3, with the rodeo competition following Saturday and Sunday, March 4.
This year drew 30 four-man/one-woman teams - 22 from outside Humboldt County - whose mission it was to outdo the competition in seven events, including saddle bronc riding, team roping, trailer loading, women's steer stopping, wild mugging, team branding and ranch doctoring. Each team competed in all the events; women had to compete in steer stopping and wild mugging.
Following fierce competition, it was the Jim Ranch of Owyhee that walked away with first-prize winnings of $5,513 along with Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo Championship jackets.
Second place went to the Eiguren Ranch of Jordan Valley, Ore., with winnings of $4,253. Third place and a $2,993 purse went to N Quarter Circle Ranch of Fallon, while fourth place and $1,890 in winnings went to the Hairpin Ranch of Jackson, Mont. This year's fifth-place winner was the Lucky 7 Ranch of Nampa, Idaho, with $1,103 in winnings.
Tim DeLong was the lucky winner of the Calcutta and $5,310 after placing his money on the Jim Ranch team. DeLong also bought the second-place Eiguren Ranch team and earned $4,097. Jack Norcutt bought the N Quarter Circle Ranch team and won $2,883, while Tim DeLong went for a third win with the Hairpin Ranch, taking home $1,821 more in winnings. Chris Bengoa purchased the Lucky 7 Ranch and took home $1,062.
Top winners in each event category were awarded silver buckles, while the person who scored the most points overall was named "Top Hand." This year's winner of the "John and Dutch Zabala Top Hand Award" was Mike Eiguren of the second-place Eiguren Ranch team. He was presented his silver buckle by local resident Ray Zabala.
Other event winners included: Saddle Bronc: Tie: Tim Maher, Maher Ranch, and Hyland Wilkinson, Lucky 7 Ranch, Score 73; Team Roping: Eiguren Ranch, Time: 21.44; Trailer Loading: Hairpin Ranch, Time: 18.12; Women's Steer Stopping: Melinda McDaniel, Jim Ranch, Time 3.24; Wild Mugging: Flying 6 S Cattle Co., Time 58.760; Team Branding: Jim Ranch, Time: 3.48.47; and Ranch Doctoring: SRC Ranch, Time: 34.52.
Additionally, Larry Hill was named the "2012 Ranch Hand of the Year" Saturday before the competition kicked off while surrounded by his family members and friends.
"We had a great time," said Urain of the weekend that drew well over 2,000 people to the Winnemucca Event Center. "It was busy and fun and exciting to see all those people coming into Winnemucca. It was good for them and good for our local community - a win-win all the way around."
For more information on the 2012 Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo Weekend and results, please visit www.ranchrodeonv.com or call the Winnemucca Convention and Visitors Authority at (775) 623-5071 or (800) 962-2638.
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