The 34th Annual Silver State International Rodeo (SSIR) started last Saturday, June 29 at the Winnemucca Events Complex and concluded on Saturday, with over 500 cowboys and cowgirls from the Western United States, Canada and Australia competing for upwards of $90,000 in prizes and scholarships.
Something new this year at the SSIR is the selection of an all-star team based on results in lieu of awarding team champions.
Each state will pick five contestants and their points will go towards determining the all-star team, with those five contestants splitting a cash prize.
In addition, anyone who breaks an existing record in any event will receive 100 Silver Dollars. This has been achieved as recently as last year, when Emily Vigoren from Utah cashed in with her HS breakaway roping performance.
Bailey Reynolds from Winnemucca was the SSIR Queen for 2018 and is also competing in the rodeo events this year.
“My year as SSIR Queen has been so great and so fun,” Reynolds said. “I have had so many opportunities to meet new people and go to so many new places. The best part of being the SSIR Queen was the Grand Entries. I love carrying the American Flag and seeing the crowds and all of the contestants having so much fun in the arena. I am going to miss being involved with all of the people on a personal level. All of the kids and all of the contestants; everyone was so nice and friendly. I want to say good luck to the next girl that becomes the SSIR Queen, and always remember to ride tough.”
More information about rodeo and the results from the SSIR can be found at nevadastatehsra.net and/or ssir.us.
Macady Bundy from Alamo is 16 years old and she is the SSIR Queen candidate from Nevada for 2019.
“I want to be the rodeo Queen to represent the great state of Nevada here at SSIR,” Bundy said. “I like the horsemanship and being with my horses. If I win I want to get other states involved, like Texas and Oklahoma, to promote outside of the states that we normally have.”
