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Christy Lattin • LVN photo Paul Turner, left, from Saddles and Silver Boutique, talks about a handmade saddle with Jerry Harper from Paradise Valley, Nev. at the Silver State International Rodeo. Vendors are located inside the Dry Gulch building at the fairgrounds or in the courtyard area.
Business is a little slow this year for vendors at the Silver State International Rodeo, which runs through Saturday at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.
"Without a doubt, this is the worst year," said Jean Jorgenson, a vendor from Palomino Valley, Nev. selling Loomix Equine Products. "People aren't spending money this year."
The former barrel racer, who lived in Fallon several years ago, said her products are specialized in that she sells items for horses, not the rodeo contestants.
"Your horse is an athlete," Jorgenson said. "Every edge you can give it is so important."
"Without a doubt, this is the worst year," said Jean Jorgenson, a vendor from Palomino Valley, Nev. selling Loomix Equine Products. "People aren't spending money this year."
The former barrel racer, who lived in Fallon several years ago, said her products are specialized in that she sells items for horses, not the rodeo contestants.
"Your horse is an athlete," Jorgenson said. "Every edge you can give it is so important."
Further back in the Dry Gulch building, Paul Turner and Debbie Defore were sitting near their display for Saddles & Silver Boutique - sitting and waiting for customers.
Turner said he's come to sell at SSIR for the past seven years, and this year's sales are off because of the slumping economy. He's even feeling the sting of higher gas prices. Normally, he spends about $450 per month for fuel, but now he's nearing $2,000 per month in fuel, and it may alter his plans.
"We haven't changed yet, but it may get to the point where we have to pick and choose which shows to attend," Turner said.
Turner and Defore, both from Texas, offer handmade saddles and saddle bags, tack, Christine Alexander clothing and leather Raviani handbags with Swarovski crystals.
"We haven't seen any locals here," Turner said Wednesday afternoon. "I don't think the town people even know we're here."
Turner said he's come to sell at SSIR for the past seven years, and this year's sales are off because of the slumping economy. He's even feeling the sting of higher gas prices. Normally, he spends about $450 per month for fuel, but now he's nearing $2,000 per month in fuel, and it may alter his plans.
"We haven't changed yet, but it may get to the point where we have to pick and choose which shows to attend," Turner said.
Turner and Defore, both from Texas, offer handmade saddles and saddle bags, tack, Christine Alexander clothing and leather Raviani handbags with Swarovski crystals.
"We haven't seen any locals here," Turner said Wednesday afternoon. "I don't think the town people even know we're here."
At the entrance to the Dry Gulch, Sandra and Rick Schwall busily add custom embroidery to jackets, hats and T-shirts at the In Stitches Custom Embroidery.
This is the fourth year In Stitches is the title sponsor of the SSIR and their 10th year selling at the rodeo. So how's business for them this year?
"It's been pretty darn good for us," Sandra Schwall said. "There's not much different."
While sales remain steady for Schwall, she has seen a purchasing pattern emerge over the past few days.
This is the fourth year In Stitches is the title sponsor of the SSIR and their 10th year selling at the rodeo. So how's business for them this year?
"It's been pretty darn good for us," Sandra Schwall said. "There's not much different."
While sales remain steady for Schwall, she has seen a purchasing pattern emerge over the past few days.
"They're buying more small things, which all adds up," she said. "I've been happy with how things have turned out. I didn't know what to expect."
Pat Higby, a rough stock rodeo equipment vendor from Idaho, also didn't know what kind of sales to expect at SSIR. Higby is running his son's business, Cattleac Rodeo Supply, which is making its first appearance at SSIR. Higby carries chaps, bull ropes, vests, spurs, gloves, gear bags and bareback riggings.
"We have what you need to get into rough stock," Higby said.
Schwall, the vendor organizer for the rodeo, said the number of food and retail vendors this year, 15, is down from past years.
"They're just not buying high dollar things this year," Schwall said.
Pat Higby, a rough stock rodeo equipment vendor from Idaho, also didn't know what kind of sales to expect at SSIR. Higby is running his son's business, Cattleac Rodeo Supply, which is making its first appearance at SSIR. Higby carries chaps, bull ropes, vests, spurs, gloves, gear bags and bareback riggings.
"We have what you need to get into rough stock," Higby said.
Schwall, the vendor organizer for the rodeo, said the number of food and retail vendors this year, 15, is down from past years.
"They're just not buying high dollar things this year," Schwall said.
