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Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 4:18 AM

Battle Born Broncs PRCA Rodeo Clinic: Giving Youth a Leg Up in the Arena and Beyond

While it may have seemed like a lot of bulls, broncs, and barrel racers in one weekend, the move was strategic. As Spero shared, one of her greatest passions is the Battle Born Broncs PRCA Camp—a rodeo training clinic designed to help the next generation of rodeo stars. Friday’s rodeo school gave area youth a rare opportunity to learn from some of the best bronc riders, bull riders, and ropers in the business and opened the arena to high school and junior high rodeo competitors from across the state.
Battle Born Broncs PRCA Rodeo Clinic: Giving Youth a Leg Up in the Arena and Beyond

Did you miss out on the rip-roaring, bronc busting fun at Rafter 3C Arena a few weeks ago? If you did, fear not—we’re here to catch you up on one of the weekend's most impactful events: the PRCA Rodeo Camp. 

This year, Battle Born Broncs producer and creator Darcie Spero, along with county officials and Rafter 3C Operations Deputy Jesse Segura, moved the event from June to April. The change brought two great rodeo events together—Battle Born Broncs and the Fallon High School Rodeo. 

While it may have seemed like a lot of bulls, broncs, and barrel racers in one weekend, the move was strategic. As Spero shared, one of her greatest passions is the Battle Born Broncs PRCA Camp—a rodeo training clinic designed to help the next generation of rodeo stars. Friday’s rodeo school gave area youth a rare opportunity to learn from some of the best bronc riders, bull riders, and ropers in the business and opened the arena to high school and junior high rodeo competitors from across the state. 

Before hitting the arena, students were treated to something new: Coffee with the Coaches. Thanks to Spero, Segura, and Fallon’s rodeo community, five college rodeo coaches attended to talk with clinic participants. Coaches from Cal Poly, Fresno State, UNLV, the College of Southern Idaho, and Feather River College spoke with students about collegiate rodeo and academic programs at their schools. 

In addition to college coaches, Cody Custer, one of the sport’s most renowned instructors, delivered expert advice and a good measure of cowboy wisdom. A professional bull rider for 14 years, Custer was the 1992 PRCA World Champion and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2017. His clinics are known across the country for drawing top young bull riders and many NFR qualifying bull riders have attended his schools. 

Youth rough stock riders learned safety fundamentals, technical skills, and the importance of health and fitness. Among the professionals sharing their knowledge were six-time world champion bareback rider Kaycee Feild, and 14-time NFR qualifier and five-time world champion steer wrestler Luke Branquinho, who also hosts the popular podcast “The Luke Branquinho Show.” 

Mitch Pollock, a professional saddle bronc rider and NFR qualifier from Winnemucca, worked with young riders, while bareback rider and rodeo coach Logan Corbett provided instruction in both riding and fitness alongside with bareback rider Logan Corbett, a pro rodeo cowboy, university rodeo coach, and the founder of Champion Living Fitness. 

Each year, youth practiced on mechanical bucking machines – until now. For the first time, clinic students got the chance to put their knowledge to the test on live practice horses, working side by side with world champions and top-ranked riders who are likely headed to the 2025 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. 

Previously, the clinic focused primarily on saddle bronc and bareback riding, but this year it expanded significantly. Custer led bull riding instruction, and for the first time, students were offered training in timed events like roping. Professional team roper Garret Archuleta worked with youth of all ages on their roping technique. 

Spero even offered a queen clinic to guide aspiring rodeo queens through the skills needed to advance in competition and represent their communities. Along with grace and poise, rodeo queens must excel in horsemanship, public speaking, and promoting America’s Western heritage.  

Following the clinic, students gathered in the grandstands for a talk about social media. Bella Pruit and Oasis Academy Middle School Counselor Gabby Medraso led a well-received discussion on personal branding, professionalism, and the importance of kindness and ethics online. They shared how students’ behavior on social platforms can influence both academic and professional opportunities, whether in rodeo or beyond. 

As the arena quieted and dust settled, one thing was clear—the future of rodeo in Nevada is in good hands. Thanks to the vision Spero and many others, the dedication of top-tier coaches, and the courage of young riders willing to get in the saddle and learn, this year’s PRCA Rodeo Camp proved that the spirit of the West is alive and well. 


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Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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