It Must Be Spring:Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo
Ranch hand rodeo, and oh my Lord it must be spring because the weather was warm and sunny and everybody was there, whether in the competition itself, buying or selling horses, or just bringing the new babies out into the open after the long, cold winter. Ropes and knives and wildrags and silver for sale, whiskey at the bar, and lots of tales to tell. One all-women's team, the Wild Women, who were the crowd's all-time favorites, included one of the DeLong sisters who recently won the Jordan Valley Big Loop roping (her roping partner would have been there, but she's extremely pregnant). Thirty-three teams entered from as far away as Montana; there were several that were made up of family members only, Dufurrena Brothers Cattle Company included. There are flashier events out there, but none that show better how the ranching community works and plays.
Tim and Dan Team Roping for the Dufurrena Brothers team.. CKD Photo