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Every year at this time, Marcia de Braga answers her home phone by saying “rodeo office” instead of “hello” or “de Braga residence.”
That's because her Stillwater home, and especially her kitchen, becomes the place where all the paperwork for the annual Silver State International Rodeo is gathered and processed.
This year, she has more work to do than ever before. De Braga said about 500 contestants have registered thus far, and that this year could see the largest number of contestants in the rodeo's 24-year history.
“It's quite a bit bigger than it was last year.” de Braga said. “I'd say we are up a good 60-70 kids over (2008). Last year was off a little bit because of the economy but not as bad as I thought it would be. I was worried this year, but as a friend of mine said, people do things for their kids even when times are tough.”
De Braga is the SSIR executive secretary and also one of its founders. She and Rich Lee started the rodeo in 1986 as an event for contestants who performed well but didn't qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo.
De Braga was the Nevada High School Rodeo Association secretary at that time, and Lee was secretary of the National High School Rodeo Association. They came up with the idea while returning to Fallon from an NHSRA meeting in 1985.
Only those who finish in the top four in their state association finals qualify for the nationals. The reserve champions — those who finish from fifth through 10th place — qualify for SSIR.
According to de Braga, the first rodeo in 1986 drew about 125 contestants because participation was limited to those from the Western U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Known originally as the Nevada International Invitational Rodeo, participation was opened in 1987 to all states and provinces with high school rodeo associations. The name name was changed to Silver State International Rodeo in 1988.
De Braga said most of the contestants still come from the West, but there is a smattering who come from other states. There is a contestant from Nebraska this year, and last year there was one from Pennsylvania, a place where English-style horsemanship is far bigger than western style.
“We were supposed to get some Hawaii kids this year,” de Braga said. “They said they were coming but their entries haven't shown up, so it might not happen.”
The rodeo has been held in Fallon since its inception; however, de Braga said that Winnemucca, Elko and Gardnerville have made offers in previous years to move the SSIR to their towns. She said community support is what keeps the rodeo in the Lahontan Valley.
“The community has been supportive enough that we've been able to stay here,” de Braga said. “People love to come here. They have a great time.”
One group of contestants who have had a great time at the SSIR are those from Utah. This year, Team Utah is seeking its 10th consecutive and 11th overall SSIR championship. Utah's 10 championships is the most for any state, followed by California with eight, Nevada with three and Arizona with one.
Nevada won its most recent championship in 1997. California won in 1998 and '99 before Utah began its streak. The team championship was first awarded in 1987.
“Utah dominates because they have depth,” de Braga said. “They have about 2,000 kids in their state association. Nevada has only 100 and something. It makes a big difference.”
That's because her Stillwater home, and especially her kitchen, becomes the place where all the paperwork for the annual Silver State International Rodeo is gathered and processed.
This year, she has more work to do than ever before. De Braga said about 500 contestants have registered thus far, and that this year could see the largest number of contestants in the rodeo's 24-year history.
“It's quite a bit bigger than it was last year.” de Braga said. “I'd say we are up a good 60-70 kids over (2008). Last year was off a little bit because of the economy but not as bad as I thought it would be. I was worried this year, but as a friend of mine said, people do things for their kids even when times are tough.”
De Braga is the SSIR executive secretary and also one of its founders. She and Rich Lee started the rodeo in 1986 as an event for contestants who performed well but didn't qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo.
De Braga was the Nevada High School Rodeo Association secretary at that time, and Lee was secretary of the National High School Rodeo Association. They came up with the idea while returning to Fallon from an NHSRA meeting in 1985.
Only those who finish in the top four in their state association finals qualify for the nationals. The reserve champions — those who finish from fifth through 10th place — qualify for SSIR.
According to de Braga, the first rodeo in 1986 drew about 125 contestants because participation was limited to those from the Western U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Known originally as the Nevada International Invitational Rodeo, participation was opened in 1987 to all states and provinces with high school rodeo associations. The name name was changed to Silver State International Rodeo in 1988.
De Braga said most of the contestants still come from the West, but there is a smattering who come from other states. There is a contestant from Nebraska this year, and last year there was one from Pennsylvania, a place where English-style horsemanship is far bigger than western style.
“We were supposed to get some Hawaii kids this year,” de Braga said. “They said they were coming but their entries haven't shown up, so it might not happen.”
The rodeo has been held in Fallon since its inception; however, de Braga said that Winnemucca, Elko and Gardnerville have made offers in previous years to move the SSIR to their towns. She said community support is what keeps the rodeo in the Lahontan Valley.
“The community has been supportive enough that we've been able to stay here,” de Braga said. “People love to come here. They have a great time.”
One group of contestants who have had a great time at the SSIR are those from Utah. This year, Team Utah is seeking its 10th consecutive and 11th overall SSIR championship. Utah's 10 championships is the most for any state, followed by California with eight, Nevada with three and Arizona with one.
Nevada won its most recent championship in 1997. California won in 1998 and '99 before Utah began its streak. The team championship was first awarded in 1987.
“Utah dominates because they have depth,” de Braga said. “They have about 2,000 kids in their state association. Nevada has only 100 and something. It makes a big difference.”
