Leanna Lehman
For the packed house at Rafter 3C Arena on New Year's Eve, fun and adrenaline were in full supply at the Roughy Top Gun Invitational Bull Riding. Brought to life by Nevada native and retired National Finals Rodeo bull riding qualifier Chad Denton, the professional Xtreme Bulls competition was a rough-and-tumble showdown where the bulls fared better than most of the cowboys. That didn't dampen the audience's excitement—or the tenacity of some of the best bull riders in the world.
This year marked Chad's third Top Gun bull riding event and his first as a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) production. "We were not a professional event before, but we had professional bull riders, of course," explained Denton. "The money just didn't count toward the NFR." Denton is thrilled that this year's bull riding was a fully sanctioned PRCA Xtreme Bulls, and the points on qualified rides will help riders make their way to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The event featured 35 competitors, with the top eight advancing to the final round. However, with the bulls outmatching most of the riders, only seven cowboys made qualifying rides.
If the cowboys were looking for some rank bulls to test their mettle, they got their wish. PRCA stock contractors Legacy Pro Rodeo, Western Rodeos, and Four Star Rodeo brought top-notch stock, dismounting several riders in the first few seconds while a few just missed the whistle.
Luck wasn't on the side of T.J. Gray, 23, Fallon resident and the world's top-ranked bull rider heading into the NFR last December. Gray, who finished the 2024 season with $244,844 in earnings, made an eight-second ride on his first bull but couldn't cover his second in the final go-round.
Gray was disappointed in his score, saying that while his first bull didn't perform as he had hoped, "I could have done better." Despite his 70-point ride, the points earned will help keep him on track for the 2025 NFR. With an entire season ahead of him, Gray will undoubtedly make his way to Las Vegas again this year.
Gray and a few others were on hand to help aspiring youth bull riders for the bull riding clinic held in conjunction with the event on December 28. Gray said it took him a bit to get in the groove, but he enjoyed helping young riders learn the fundamentals and develop their skills. He noted that Fallon's Rostin Snow, who won the junior bull riding world championship in December, showed great promise and could be on his way to becoming a professional bull rider.
Gray wasn't the only Fallon cowboy in the arena on New Year's Eve. Colten Fritzlan turned in a 79.5-point ride in the first round, earning a fourth-place slot. Like Gray and the rest of the riders on the roster, Fritzlan didn't cover his final-round bull.
In the first round, Scott Wells made 83.5 points on Legacy Pro Rodeo's Don Juan, earning him the No. 1 slot. Wade Tuni scored 81 for No. 2, Scottie Knapp came No. 3 with an 80-point ride, Colten Fritzlan scored 79.5 for No. 4, Jate Frost ranked No. 5 with 78 points, Dalton Rudman came in No. 6 with 74 points, and T.J. Gray ranked No. 7 with 70 points.
It wasn't just the bulls and cowboys making the night memorable. Rodeo announcer Garrison Allen kept the action moving, while rodeo clown and barrelman Tate Rhoads had the crowd in fits of laughter.
Troy's Double Shot Bar provided drinks and VIP catering, with concessions from The Grid. After the dust settled, award-winning country artist Chad Bushnell took the stage, kicking off a night of music and dancing.
The event was made possible by sponsors including Roughy (the rough stock branch of Hooey action sports and western wear), the City of Fallon—instrumental in helping the event achieve PRCA-sanctioned status—The Grid, Boot Barn, A&K Earthmovers, Peek Construction, Cheek Construction, Hoof Beats Corrals, Hot Wire Electric, Les Schwab, Tedford Tire, and many more.
For those who spent their New Year's Eve at Rafter 3C, it wasn't just about the scores—it was about the ride. Whether they hit the dirt or the scoreboard, the cowboys put on a show proving why bullriding is one of the most dangerous sports on earth. As the arena lights dimmed and the last notes of music drifted into the night, one thing was clear—Fallon rang in 2025 the cowboy way, with rank bulls, tough rides, and a whole lot of heart.
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