A new event is coming to the Carson Valley this summer.

Organizer Amber Clark is working to bring back a ranch rodeo to the area, something the community hasn’t seen since around 2014. While similar events have existed in the past, this one is being built with a different purpose in mind.

“I’m not the first one to do it,” she said, “but I’m kind of halfway reinventing the wheel.”

What is a Ranch Rodeo?

Unlike a traditional rodeo, a ranch rodeo focuses on real-life ranch work. Events like team branding, trailer loading, and ranch doctoring reflect the daily skills used in agriculture.

But for Amber, the goal goes beyond competition.

“I really wanted to focus on agriculture education for kids and just more community involvement,” she said.

The event is looking to include informational booths from local organizations like 4-H, FFA, and other agricultural groups, with an emphasis on hands-on activities for children.

“It’s going to be very, very family friendly,” she said. “I kind of want it to feel like an old hometown rodeo that everybody gets together for and hangs out.”

A Community-Focused Event

The rodeo is planned to take place at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, with a full weekend of events.

The festivities kick off on Friday evening with women’s events

Saturday will begin with a family team branding competition, followed by kid-friendly activities like dummy roping that don’t require experience or equipment. The main rodeo events are expected to begin later in the evening.

Sunday will feature additional events like trailer loading and team branding, with free admission.

Organizers are also working to keep the event affordable, with tentative ticket pricing around $20 for adults.

Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture

One of the most meaningful parts of the event is a planned scholarship fund for local youth.

Unlike many traditional scholarships, this one is designed to support both college and trade paths within agriculture.

“Ag is such an essential part of our world,” Amber said. “We literally wouldn’t live without it. I just really want to support these kids that are trying to push through.”

The scholarship will be funded through sponsorships and community donations, including a “fill the boot” effort during a planned concert where attendees can contribute directly.

Importantly, the scholarship can be used for programs like agricultural mechanics, or even specialized training such as horseshoeing or equine dentistry (fields that are often overlooked).

Bridging a Growing Gap

At its core, the event is about something bigger than a weekend of entertainment.

Amber hopes it will help bridge the growing gap between agricultural and non-agricultural communities in the valley.

“In this community, there’s a lot of urban and a lot of agriculture, and we’re kind of stacked on top of each other,” she said. “There’s such a huge information gap.”

Her goal is to help bridge that gap by giving people a closer look at the work happening around them and “that the community would come and see these activities and understand why we do what we do,” she said.

Building Something New

“We just wanted to bring something a little more affordable, but also something people can go to and learn,” she said.

As a first-year event, organizers are keeping things simple, with a curated group of western-focused vendors and plans to expand in future years.

Early interest suggests strong community support, with thousands of views already generated online.

For Amber, the goal is clear:

“I want this to be a great event for everybody—and for everybody to win.”

Get Involved

An event like this hasn’t been part of our community in over a decade. Amber is currently working toward a $15,000 goal to make this event possible.

For local businesses and community members who want to be part of that, there is an opportunity to step in as an early sponsor—not just supporting the event, but helping bring it back to life.

Sponsors will be recognized as part of the first group to help re-establish the Ranch Rodeo in Carson Valley…the people who made it happen.

If you’re interested in being part of that, download the sponsor form below.

Interested in being a vendor?
Applications are now open (currently prioritizing western-style vendors). Email Amber to apply.

Lastly, a pre-order is coming with merch! Follow the event on Facebook as Amber shares new updates about her journey in reviving the Ranch Rodeo.

This event will take place July 24th, 25th, and 26th.

Until next time,

Garminoa Facebook