RODEO NEWS
By Ann Bleiker
Photos by Click Thompson and LARA ST JACQUES (COURTESY rENO rODEO)
With a payout of over $750,000, the Reno Rodeo is a must stop on any contestant’s schedule trying to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at season’s end. Celebrating 106 years this year, the rodeo has traditionally marked the real start of the summer rodeo run, so not only is the payout important but so is the momentum.
To win the Reno Rodeo once is a feat in any contestant’s career but to win it back-to-back is quite an accomplishment and both WPRA champions can hang their hat on that achievement. Taylor Munsell and her palomino Ray won the breakaway roping title for the second straight year, while Hailey Kinsel and her palomino Sister took home the barrel racing win.
“That rodeo just really fits my style with the calves out in front of you,” stated Munsell. “Obviously you want to win it, but I knew if I made good runs, I would make some good money. The first round wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be, but my second was good and my short round was great. I had a nice lucky loop there.”
