Festival Showcases New Event: Junior Roughstock Challenge

This year, festivalgoers and rodeo fans can expect an exciting addition to the annual lineup. Instead of the traditional amateur rodeo, the 2024 Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair will host its inaugural Junior Roughstock Challenge in the Churchill County Fairground’s outdoor arena at the Rafter C3 Events Complex in Fallon.

Festival organizers aimed for a more youth-focused event this year. Festival Executive Director Andrienne Snow and Vice Chairman Todd Moretto collaborated with Darcie Spero, the presenter of Battle Born Broncs, to create a spinoff event tailored to riders aged 10 to 18. Known for her dedication to helping young riders hone their roughstock skills, Spero eagerly took on the challenge. Thus, the first Junior Roughstock Challenge was born. 

The Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair Junior Roughstock Challenge will be the only event in the state to qualify youth roughstock riders for the Yeti Junior World Finals in Las Vegas, held during the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) finals. “This is a direct qualifier,” explained Spero.“If they place in the top two in each age group, they will qualify for Las Vegas.” 

In the world of junior rodeo, these qualifying events are akin to traveling sports clubs, separate from official junior and high school sports events. According to Spero, the competition will be divided by age groups: 

• Ages 10-11: Junior Mini Bull Riding, Rookie Bareback, and Saddle Bronc Riding 
• Ages 12-13: Senior Mini Bull Riding, Junior Bareback, and Saddle Bronc Riding 
• Ages 14-15: Junior Bull Riding, Senior Bareback, and Saddle Bronc Riding 
• Ages 16-18: Senior Bull Riding, Novice Bareback, and Saddle Bronc Riding 

Fallon’s own Rostin Snow, pictured right, a 2023 Junior World Finals qualifier, will compete alongside Bradlee Miller, the 2021 Junior World Champion bareback rider and the 2022 Battle Born Broncs bareback champion. According to Spero, the top two riders and the top four in the bronc events will advance to the world finals. 

Presented by Battle Born Events, with generous support from Battle Born Boots, the City of Fallon, and CC Communications, the event is expected to draw riders from around the region. Alongside the many visitors attending the Cantaloupe Festival, the event will provide an additional boost to the local economy. Spero estimates that 50 families will participate, enjoy local dining and lodging, purchase fuel, and visit local retailers.

Stock contractors Lacie and Joe de Mers of 406 Rodeo will provide the broncs and bulls for the event. The de Mers supply roughstock for several National Junior Bull Riders Association events and the Junior Roughstock Association, ensuring animals suited to the competitors’ age brackets. 

Additional sponsors include Tedford Tire, Hoof Beats Gates and Corrals, Les Schwab Tire Center, and In Stitches. If all goes well, Spero hopes future years may include mounted rodeo events like team roping, barrel racing, and more. Festival organizers invite everyone to come check out the show. With admission to the Junior Roughstock Challenge included with a Cantaloupe Festival ticket, why not join the fun?