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34th Annual Truckee Championship Rodeo: Q&A with Phyllis Keller |
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Written by By Wendy Lautner/ Tahoe.com
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Tuesday, 05 August 2008 |
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 34th Annual Truckee Championship Rodeo
Western Week
Aug. 7-10, 2008
at McIver Arena
Schedule of events:
Thursday, Aug. 7
Kid’s Day
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gates open 10 a.m.
Admission is free
Cowboy Poetry and Live Music Night
This event is sponsored by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from the James Irvine Foundation
Thursday, Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m., gates open 4 p.m.
Dinner included in ticket price of $25
Poets: Larry Maurice, John Tyson, Dan Seaborg
Star Spangled Banner Contest. Music: Johnny U & Cowboy Company
Friday, Aug. 8
Sponsor Night Team Penning and Dinner
5:30 p.m., gates open 4 p.m.
Dinner to follow with music by Johnny U & Cowboy Company
Saturday, Aug. 9
PRCA Rodeo
Gates open 2 p.m.
Rodeo starts 4 p.m. Admission is $12 at gate. Kids 6 and under are free. 1
Barbecue dinner and dance after rodeo, with music by Johnny U & Cowboy Company
Admission is $20 for dinner/dance, $10 kids 10 and under. $10 for dance only.
Sunday, Aug. 10
PRCA Rodeo
Gates open noon
Rodeo starts 2 p.m.
Admission is $12 at gate. Kids 6 and under free
More information and advance tickets are available at Truckee Chamber of Commerce, Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center, American Mail Center and D-M in Reno or on line at www.TruckeeRodeo.org.
Q&A with Phyllis Keller
Tahoe.com’s Wendy Lautner had the chance to catch up with the busy Phyllis Keller, vice president of the Truckee-Donner horsemen/women this week. In between putting on the Truckee Championship Rodeo this week and preparing for a 100-mile horseback ride in Santa Cruz on Aug. 16 she offers up a little advice for folks wanting to get on the trails in the Tahoe area.
Check out what she had to say below:
Wendy Lautner: Tell me a little bit about your experience riding horses?
Phyllis Keller: I started riding when I was in 5th grade, in Montana. My father was in the Air Force and we were stationed in Great Falls. I needless to say was horse bit and developed friendships with other kids who had horses. It was ride by the seat of your pants in those days.
My father retired which brought us to California. I had always wanted to ride over fences and after graduation from High School that’s what I got involved in. I purchased my first horse and got started. I rode for a few years, the bigger fences the better. I have wonderful memories of those years.
After about 15 years without horses in my life, my husband and I bought our daughter her first horse. I realized I was missing something all those years; horses are just a part of me.
I now ride endurance, for the fun of it and the partnership you develop between you and your horse.
WL: How long have you been involved with the Truckee-Donner horsemen/women?
PK: I have been involved with Truckee Donner Horsemen’s Association for about 9 years. Right now I am the Vice President.
WL: What rodeo events and other horseback riding events do you compete in?
PK: I don’t compete in any rodeo events but do help to put on the event for the Horsemen as it is our only fundraiser. I enjoy watching the girls barrel race and I also like the Mutton Bustin’ where the young kids ride the sheep and try to stay on as long as possible. It’s nice to see little kids get involved in something which takes a little bit of grit.
WL: What do you love most about the Truckee Rodeo?
PK: What I enjoy most about the rodeo are the people I am involved with by helping put it on and watching the kids enjoy the event.
WL: What do you think is the most exciting event at the rodeo?
PK: The most exciting would probably the Bull Riding. It’s also the hardest thing for me to watch. I think the cowboys are crazy, but they would probably say the same about me riding on a single track trail with a 1000’ drop off!
WL: What has been your most exhilarating experience on horseback?
PK: I think finishing my first 50 mile ride was pretty exhilarating, but so was clearing the 5’6”- six foot wide jump when I was younger.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 August 2008 )
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