Leanna Lehman
Dust off your boots and grab your hats. It’s almost that time of year when Busted Up Productions brings some of the Professional Cowboy Rodeo Association’s roughest, toughest bull riders to Rafter 3C in Fallon, all ready to take their chances on some of the sport’s biggest, baddest bulls.
The Roughy Top Gun New Year’s Eve Bull Riding is hosted by Nevada native Chad Denton. A former professional bull rider and National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Chad, who grew up in Round Mountain knows firsthand what it means to chase rodeo dreams from rural Nevada.
Chad says bull riding grabbed hold of him early. “I started going to junior rodeos and then high school rodeos throughout Nevada … I hit the professional ranks and moved up from there. I qualified for the NFR once, and the PBR [Professional Bull Riders organization] world finals three times,” Chad noted. “I rode in the PBR for many years. I made a living doing it, and really chased my dreams.”
That career came to an abrupt end when Chad broke his leg in the eighth round of the National Finals Rodeo. After retiring at 33, he transitioned to another high-risk profession, becoming a professional firefighter. But even as his riding days ended, a new idea took hold: bringing a high-caliber Xtreme bull riding event home to Nevada.
“From Round Mountain, it was a long way to go to any professional event,” Chad explained. “Pretty much the only thing was Reno Rodeo. I could go to the NFR, of course, but I couldn't ever get tickets to that as a kid.”
With encouragement from friends in Fallon, Chad decided to build something for “kids like me, from the middle of nowhere.” The result was Busted Up Productions and its signature event, the Top Gun Invitational Bull Riding, held once a year in Fallon, even though Chad now lives and works in Northern California.
The first Top Gun Bull Riding kicked off in 2022. Now in its fourth year, Chad continues finding new ways to elevate the experience for fans. This year, he has partnered with Frey Ranch Distillery to introduce a new premium seating area, The Frey Ranch Corral, offering prime arena views along with two Frey Ranch cocktails per ticket.
VIP tables, which sell out every year, have also expanded, with 10 additional tables added for 2025. Troy’s Double Shot Bar is handling the bars for the event and catering the VIP dinner, which is expected to serve around 600 guests.
According to Chad, by the time the bull riding started last year, stadium seating had completely sold out, leaving standing-room-only tickets for late arrivals. With tickets selling earlier this year, Chad encourages fans to purchase tickets in advance and avoid waiting at the doors.
On the production side, Chad is bringing in three top-tier stock contractors: Four Star, Western, and Legacy Rodeo. The event is sanctioned as a PRCA Division 1 Xtreme Bulls Event, drawing elite riders from across the country.
In addition to standard prize money, Chad has added $35,000 to the payout and will pay five places. Riders who score in the main event advance to the short go-round. Judges will combine scores from both rounds, with the two-ride average determining the top finishers of the night.
Following the bull riding action, country artist Chad Bushnell will take the stage at the Rafter 3C, keeping the New Year’s Eve celebration rolling well past the final buzzer.
The fun starts even earlier with a pre-party at The Grid on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 6 p.m. Chad is bringing in live music from Dwayne Hargo, a Northern California bullfighter and the son of a world champion bull rider. Hargo describes himself as a “bull-hand and wanna-be musician,” and promises an entertaining kickoff to the event.
The pre-party will also feature a Calcutta-style team auction in which teams are auctioned off prior to the competition, with buyers earning payouts based on how their teams place. Last year’s Calcutta paid first and second place winners a total of $7,941. Proceeds from the auction benefit Nevada Bighorns Unlimited.
Fans are encouraged to come early on New Year’s Eve to check out the western vendor market and catch up with old friends. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the bull riding set to start at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available in person at Les Schwab, 3-D Shipping, and The Grid, or online at www.bustedupproductions.com
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