More than 39 years ago, a bunch of us parents were sitting around after the State Finals Rodeo talking sadly about the kids who had been great contenders all year and just missed qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo – every contestant’s dream.
There were always those few who we cried for and tried to console.
Then, one day, returning from a National meeting in Denver, Rich Lee and Marcia deBraga hatched a plan. What if a consolation rodeo were held for those who, on any other given day, would have made it to Nationals themselves? The rodeo would feature the same format, enticing awards, the whole enchilada, but on a smaller scale.
After convincing their spouses, cousins Fern Lee and Lyle deBraga, that
they really should be equally enthusiastic about the project, the Silver State International Rodeo was born.
The first year, the SSIR was only open to contestants from the Western states and had about 150 entries. But it caught on and began to grow.
Families who came to Fallon, Nevada, were greeted with warm hospitality by the business community. They had a good time. There was a bit less pressure on them that they experienced at the National Finals. They went home and told their friends.
Changes were made: the rodeo was opened up to the 5th through 10th place finisher. Contestants were allowed to pick one extra event. A volleyball tournament was added and then changed to a mud volleyball tourcontinued inside
nament – even more fun than the normal game – and it created more business for our local laundromats. In the spirit of family fun, we added dog races. When the SSIR moved to Winnemucca, and because they have a bigger facility, we added roping practices and jackpots, the Rifle and Trap Shoot. We added the jr. high division in 2017.
The awards have also been increased in both quality and number. In the early days of the SSIR, contestants won plaques in go-arounds, buckles for overall event wins and saddles to the All-Arounds. Now, in addition to the saddles, All-Arounds will get a cash prize. Runner ups to the all-around will get a buckle. Buckles are given to third place in every go around and saddles go to the first place in every event except shooting. Buckles are also given second through
fourth for the overall event winners in all events. In the shooting events, there will be a grand prize money and buckle and buckles second through fourth.
Within a few years, the rodeo had to be expanded from four days to six because there were so many entries. During the past few years, upwards of 500 contestants have entered and the individual competition and the team competition have been fierce.
And yet, contestants always seem to be willing to help each other when the need arises, even if the contestant they are helping could, ultimately, beat them.
Utah has dominated the team standings, due in large part to the depth they have among their champions. Because of
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its huge membership of many fine athletes coupled with the fact that it sends a very full team, Utah is hard to beat. But, other state teams are becoming equally competitive and come with the goal of beating Utah.
In 2018, we added a state all-star team. Instead of the whole state providing points toward the state champions, each state will choose 5 members (can be a mix of jr. high and high school) to be on the all-star team. Only those 5 contestants points will count towards the winning all-star team and that team will win a cash prize to be shared. States will be responsible for submitting the names of the all-star team members.
After 25 wonderful years in Fallon, the SSIR moved to the Winnemucca Events Com-
plex because of its ever-growing number of contestants and the need for more room. The Events Complex has added more camp spaces to accommodate our growing numbers and also help by updating and keeping their facility in top condition.
2025 marks the 40th year for the SSIR and it has a good reputation for being a quality rodeo with excellent stock and wonderful awards. But, the host committee is never satisfied and will continue to look for ways to upgrade and improve the SSIR.
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