August 31, 2023

Ric Maestrejuan from Jordan Valley, Oregon, has been part of the WSRRA since it’s inception years ago. “I’ve been there since it all started,” he said. “It’s my 14th Finals as a judge,” said one of the five current owners of the association. “I’ve been given the title of ‘President’, but we are all in this together. Everyone has their own strong suits. We are a team even though we live in different parts of…

Meet the Member Brandon Nuffer

May 18, 2023

story by Siri Stevens There’s a whole village of people helping to oversee the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association. Two of those people are Brandon and Katie Nuffer from Winnemucca, Nev. Brandon flags for the finals, something he has done for the past ten years. Brandon was born and raised in northern Nevada on a ranch near Denio by Rob and Delia Nuffer along with his brother, Jared. Brandon left the ranch to go to…

Meet the Rodeo Ride A Horse Feed A Cowboy

September 23, 2022

story by Hope Raley Rodeo has a heart for philanthropy. It is by nature that those of western lifestyle feel compelled to help those in need, and this story is no different. Nonprofit organization Ride a Horse Feed a Cowboy just wrapped up its 16th annual celebration in Hulett, Wyoming. The event was established in 2006 with one goal in mind- help someone in need within the rodeo community. Ride a Horse Feed a Cowboy…

Meet the Member Taylor Merrill

August 18, 2022

Story by Hope Raley During his ride on a cold day in February 2016, Taylor Merrill’s bronc fell and ended up stepping on his head, crushing his skull. Taylor’s brother Kolton sprinted into the arena and prayed a blessing over Taylor before he was life-flighted to Salt Lake City, where surgery was performed immediately to alleviate the pressure on his brain that was being caused by the crushed skull. Truly a modern-day miracle, Taylor was…

Meet the Committee Darrington Timberbowl Rodeo

July 21, 2022

Story by Lindsey Fancher 2022 became the record-breaking year in ticket sales for the pioneer in Washington ranch bronc riding, Darrington Timberbowl Rodeo. “When I became president of the Timberbowl Rodeo the WSRRA asked us to do ranch broncs. At first, we were hesitant, but I’m glad we joined. We’ve had a great relationship with the association ever since,” declares Darrington Timberbowl president, Nick Bates. During the two-year hiatus the rodeo was forced to take…

Meet the Member Ty Fenster

June 22, 2022

story by Ruth Nicolaus Ty Fenster is the 2021 Western States Ranch Rodeo Association National Finals Rodeo All-Around cowboy. The Hyannis, Nebraska man won points in the team event and the ranch bronc riding to win the title last November. He grew up in Casper, Wyoming, the son of a saddle bronc rider, and at age eight, he got on his first steer. Ty rode bulls through high school and pro rodeoed as well. Bulls…

Meet the Member Lee Daggett

May 19, 2022

story by Ruth Nicolaus Lee Daggett is inspired by the countless rodeo volunteers who he works alongside at the rodeos he announces. The soon-to-be-retiring rodeo Western States Ranch Rodeo Association announcer loves working with the many committee people, nearly all giving of their own time, talent and resources for free, who make rodeo work. He grew up near Joseph, Ore., the fifth generation in a family steeped in agriculture and timber, and earned a degree…

Meet the Member Desi Dotson

April 25, 2022

story by Ruth Nicolaus The 2021 Western States Ranch Rodeo Association world champion steer roper and all-around winner loves cooking, gardening and riding colts. In fact, besides ranch rodeo, those are her favorite things to do. Desi Dotson, who lives on the Oregon Canyon Ranch north of McDermitt, Ore., but whose address is Nevada, says, “there’s nothing better to do out here but cook, garden and ride colts,” and that’s what she’s doing when she’s…

Meet the Member Lane Johnson

February 21, 2022

story by Lindsay Humphrey If ever someone was destined to be a cowboy, it was Lane Johnson. He was raised near inner-city Bakersfield, California, by Ray and Veronica Johnson. His dad, a PRCA bull and bareback rider, introduced Lane to rodeo early and often. It wasn’t long before Lane was surrounded by cowboys on a regular basis. “I realized real quick that I didn’t want to ride bulls after all; I wanted to go cowboy,”…

Meet the Member: TJ Camblin

November 1, 2021

Story by Kevin Cooley The thought of climbing on a ranch bronc at this point in my life has lost all appeal and luster to me. I prefer the good, solid, and sound ones. You know, the ones we are pretty sure wont buck. Sure footed and solid is my preference these days. But for a few “old guys” out there, the thought of a good bronc ride still stirs up something in them. Fear…

Meet the Member Hailey Dixon

September 23, 2021

Story by Naomi Loomis WSRRA Media Coordinator The Western States Ranch Rodeo Association contributes its success to countless volunteers, sponsors, and fans, as well as a small group of full-time staff members and interns. With a full-time staff of only 30 individuals, having a media intern is a critical part of the success of the WSRRA National Finals Ranch Rodeo in Winnemucca, Nevada. It is also important to a great group of folks behind the…

Meet the Member Skip Sam

April 22, 2021

story by Sam Campbell It was at the 2019 Western States Ranch Rodeo National Finals in Winnemucca, Nevada that I first met this young man. I was there photographing the finals, and saw this gentleman throw a side armed loop and was so intrigued I went up and starting talking to him. He was so easy going, and laid back and fun to talk to. We have been at the same events on numerous occasions,…