If you know Shawn and Victoria Crystal, then you probably know they have strong ties to the community, are longtime supporters of local nonprofit organizations, and are one busy family.
What you might not know is that this year they set off to create something special, Ty’s Let’m Buck Rodeo Co.
Last September, the Crystals tragically lost their 15-year-old son, Tyler Crystal, who was fatally injured in a ranch bronc accident in Mineral County. Devastated by the loss, Shawn and Victoria, along with the entire family, were determined to find a way to honor Tyler.
“Before we lost Tyler, he had been pestering us to produce our rodeo,” said Victoria. “We always said it was too expensive. So, we decided the best way to honor him was to go ahead and do it, and bring something good out of something heartbreaking.”
If you knew Tyler, you would know he would have rolled his eyes at all the fuss. But the fuss is exactly what has helped the Crystal family through the first 10 months without him. As plans for the rodeo came together, Shawn and Victoria realized they could do more than produce a rodeo.
The couple, as part of Ty’s Let’m Buck Rodeo, has been helping young athletes get to rodeos and purchase essential protective gear like helmets and vests.
It wasn’t long before the Crystal family decided that one rodeo wasn’t going to be enough. Why not produce more rodeos across the state and raise even more money for rodeo kids? Victoria, who has volunteered with Fallon Junior Rodeo for the past eight years and was well aware of the time and work it takes to gain sponsors and advertisers, enlisted Shawn’s help, as well as that of her adult son, Maverick. In fact, the whole family, Jesse, 11; Colt, 6; and Eva, 15, has a role to play and is helping, and hoping, to make this first event a success. Friends and other family members have also jumped on board, ready to help in any capacity they can by volunteering their time and effort.
Even before the rodeo, which takes place Aug. 1 in Reno at the Nevada State Fairgrounds, formerly the Reno Livestock Events Center, the project has brought the family together.
“This has helped us cope,” the Crystals said. “Jesse handles the TikTok posting, Eva manages the Instagram account, Shawn, Maverick and Victoria all produce content. Maverick has taken over all things technical. It’s a full family operation.”
To start raising money for the rodeo, Victoria and Shawn also launched “Ty Merch.” Putting together a product line of sweatshirts, T-shirts, ball caps, wild rags, ladies’ western tops, and other rodeo-western merchandise, the family has been going to rodeos and other events in the region, promoting their own event and directing the earnings to the rodeo.
The Crystals had hoped to host the event at Fallon’s Rafter 3C Events Complex, but scheduling proved difficult, as 3C is often booked a year in advance. So, they went with the next best venue, the outdoor arena, home of the Reno Rodeo.
Beginning at 8 a.m., spectators can enjoy a free early performance that includes barrel racing, breakaway roping and team roping. The top 10 competitors in each daytime event will compete in the evening performance. As an open rodeo, competitors of any age or skill level can participate. Evening events include mutton busting, mini bulls for youth riders, breakaway roping, team roping, ranch bronc riding, barrel racing and bull riding.
The inaugural rodeo offers the public an opportunity to honor Tyler, support a Fallon family that has given extensively to the community, and help keep young roughstock riders as safe as possible in the arena.
Bring your kids! Children 15 and under enter free with family. Adult tickets are $28 at the gate. Get your tickets locally at Fallon Les Schwab and Hoof Beats Gates & Corrals, or online at www.TysRodeo.com and www.RenoRodeo.com. The Crystals want to caution purchasers against buying from other sites to avoid scams. For more information on the rodeo, call 775-294-9229.
Gates for the evening performance open at 4 p.m.
Comment
Comments