Leanna Lehman
Rafter 3C Arena has had a busy late winter. According to arena officials, the first two weeks of February brought in 16,700 visitors for events at the Rafter 3C Arena, including the NIAA State Wrestling Tournament and the Great Basin Bull Sale weekend, held Feb. 13-15.
While the Feb. 7-8 state wrestling tournament drew athletes and families from across Nevada, the Great Basin Bull Sale attracted cattlemen, cowboys, and cowgirls from California, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. Rafter 3C reported that 3,165 visitors attended the three-day event, with nearly 1,000 from out of town. Giving the local economy a boost, an estimated 791 overnight stays and 198 day-trippers contributed to an overall economic impact of $528,000. Not too shabby for a town working on maximizing its tourism dollars.
While this is only the third year for the event under its newest iteration, the "Bull Sale" has been part of Fallon's history since 1966. Formerly the Fallon All-Breeds Bull Sale, the event has long provided ranchers with high-quality bulls bred for Nevada range conditions. The Cattlemen's Association, which initially organized the sale as a fundraiser, handed over the reins to Charlie Hone, Kris Gudel, and Dave Holden in 2022, ensuring the Bull Sale legacy continues. Thus, the Great Basin Bull Sale was born, keeping one of Fallon's most beloved Western heritage events alive.
The event proved profitable for ranchers and cattle producers buying and selling high-quality, range-ready bulls. With 210 bulls consigned and 170 sold, the average price per bull landed at $6,881. That meant Rafter 3C Arena Operations Deputy Jesse Segura's prediction that nearly $1.2 million would change hands was spot on.
For those unfamiliar with bull sales, the event allows buyers an opportunity to purchase sound, reliable bulls tested for specific qualities, making it easier for ranchers to find the right bull for their herd.
The Great Basin Bull Sale was much more than just a livestock auction. Rafter 3C's Jesse Segura and Hunter Giovanetti organized three days of ranch rodeo fun, expanding the event beyond the traditional sale, dinner, and dance.
Thursday evening kicked off with a team branding competition, honoring the long-standing ranching tradition where neighboring ranch crews gather to help brand livestock. In the spirit of that tradition—and for some good, not-so-clean fun—teams of cowhands worked together to brand calves in a controlled and efficient manner, simulating real-life ranch operations. The competition involved roping, wrestling, branding, and sometimes vaccinating or ear-tagging. Teams were judged on speed, efficiency, and stockmanship, ensuring cattle were handled with skill and minimal stress.
Friday morning brought traditional ranch rodeo timed events and a trade show featuring 25 top-notch vendors. That evening, Troy's Double Shot Bar catered the sold-out Bull Sale Dinner. Troy's and the Rusty Canteen kept drinks flowing at multiple locations, keeping lines manageable.
After the meal, the action turned wild and woolly with ranch bronc and mini bull riding.
The ranch bronc riding competition put several seasoned cowboys to the test. Unlike professional saddle bronc riding, which uses specialized equipment, ranch bronc riders compete using everyday working saddles with stirrups and saddle horns—the same style of saddle used on a ranch.
Several top cowboys, including Western States Ranch Rodeo Association's 2024 World Champion Tegan Nevarez, made high-scoring rides during the Friday night event. Nevarez and Bill Alldritt tied for first place with 76 points. John Crites and Ray Valdez ranked second with 75 points, and Brad Cessna and Wyatt Victor took third with 74 points.
The top-ranking young bull riders included Fallon's own Rostin Snow, the 2024 Junior World Bull Riding Champion, who took first place, along with Keston Moore and Zach Greenberg. Lane Sites, from Red Bluff, California, also delivered a strong performance ranking in the top four.
Closing out Valentine's Day evening, the Bellamy Brothers took the stage, performing country classics like "Redneck Girl," "Let Your Love Flow," and "Old Hippie." The arena and dance floor were packed as attendees of all ages enjoyed music, family, friends, and a night of Western tradition.
Rafter 3C extends a special thank you to its hardworking crew, whose behind-the-scenes efforts made the event a success. They also extend their gratitude to the many sponsors who supported the Great Basin Bull Sale weekend, including the City of Fallon, Papé Machinery, Horney Toad Meats, Wild Horse Cattle, Dandelion Express, Great Basin Bull Sale, Renewal by Anderson, Walker Lake Disposal, A&K Earthmovers, Promega, Rafter 3C Arena, MDV Scaffolding.
Rodeo lovers, mark your calendars! The next Rafter 3C Western Heritage event, Battle Born Broncs, is April 18-19. Don't miss it!
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