Silver State Stampede 2012 Centennial Celebration
In 1912, G. S. Garcia, originally from Salinas, California, put on the first Silver State Stampede in Elko, Nevada. At that time it was a carnival and celebration, as well as a rodeo. The rodeo committee was established with 60 community members and the gala event involved the whole community for five full days. Here we are 100 years later and the Silver State rodeo committee put on the Silver State Stampede starting with a concert on Wednesday July 11, a kick-off party and Old West Bronc Riding and Calcutta on Thursday, and a PRCA rodeo with mutton busting and Old West Bronc Riding on Friday and Saturday evenings. John Wright produced a Bucking Bull Futurity on Sunday. This marked 100 years for this rodeo, making the Silver State Stampede the oldest rodeo in Nevada.
On Friday evening, the performance began with a Centennial Celebration ceremony that featured 100 individuals from the community each carrying an American flag into the arena. The flags were then placed atop the arena wall lending a special background to this centennial rodeo. Dee Dee Garcia, descendent of G. S. Garcia, was the Grand Marshall. She rode in the grand entry carrying a special American flag that had been flown in Washington, D. C. and was accompanied by Doug and John Wright and John’s wife and children. Paula Wright, co-owner of J. M. Capriola Co., was honored. Paula, who was very active in the Silver State Stampede’s centennial activities, was recently killed in a tragic horse accident.
The Centennial Silver State Stampede concluded on Saturday, with over $40,000 in purse money and prizes being awarded in seven PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association) rodeo events and two special events. All PRCA event winners received a pair of Garcia spurs. The Silver State Stampede is the only professional rodeo to offer the coveted Garcia spurs as a prize.
Kirby’s Bar T Rodeo of Chester, UT provided the rodeo stock. In 2006 and 2011, Bar T won the coveted PRCA Best Remuda award, which is given to rodeo companies whose breeding program produces exceptional bucking stock. A number of horses and bulls that had been at the NFR in Las Vegas last year were featured.
2012 PRCA Results
Saddle Bronc:
1) Landon Mecham 84 on Bitter Robin
In addition to the Garcia spurs, Mecham received a miniature bronc saddle hand-crafted by Spring Creek, NV saddlemaker Bill Maupin.
2) Joseph Lee Harper 81 on Fire Fly
3) Charlie Kogaines 78 on Lulibelle
Steer Wrestling:
1) Ryan Shaw 4.6
2) Seth Hadlock 4.7
3) Baylor Roche 5.4
Bareback Riding
1) Josi Young 80 on Oakey Robin
2) Morgan Heaton 77 on Romantic Belle
3) Cody Kiser 75 on Oakey Robin
Tie-Down Roping
1) Justin Truman 8.2
2) Justin Brinkerhoff 8.8
3/4) JC Malone 8.9
Martin Joseph Paris
Team Roping
1) Brian Winn/Dusty Morse 5.4
2) Cy Eames/Cody Young 5.7
3) Pace Freed/Jesse Sheffield 5.8
Barrel Racing
1) Vauna Walker 16.99
2) Tracee Young 17.24
3) Chrissy Van 17.37
Bull Riding
1) Joe Frost 83 on Alamo
2) Jake Charlton 76 on Lucky Duck
3) Cooper Davis 67 on Sneaky
Cy Eames, who competed in tie-down roping and team roping, won the all-around champion was. Eames won $1,459.20.
