This sale has been canceled for Winnemucca due to overwhelming resistance from Kim Petersen and the Ag Board District #3 who produce the Ranch Hand Rodeo and Sale.

Here’s what happened:

For numerous reasons, the sale date needed to be pushed to a later date.

This date request was denied by the Ag District #3 and Kim Petersen, the Director of the WCVA and producer of the Ranch Hand Rodeo due to the “competitive risk threat” that this event posed.

Unfortunately, the men in charge of producing the Ranch Hand Rodeo and Sale also happen to be in charge of scheduling events at the publically funded Winnemucca Events Complex.

The request date was October 3rd.

Despite being nearly the same distance away as the June dates from the Ranch Hand Rodeo, members of the Ag District #3, voiced concerns that the date would impose an even greater risk of competition because “that’s when we start gearing up for our sale.”

After lengthy debate to no avail, the Ag Board would neither allow the event to be moved nor would they allow the event to be open to all consignors and it had to remain on a ‘trial basis.’

It also had to remain a female-only, limited catalog event. Sorry, boys.

The ‘trial’ requirement ensured any success would be punished. Requiring that the sale happens on a trial basis only meant it would be terminated for next year if anyone on the Ag Board or Kim Petersen perceived the success of this event to impose on the success of the Ranch Hand sale.

In other words, if this did well in its first year it could not happen again. 

#ConflictOfInterest, anyone?

The President of the Ag District #3, Kent Maher, is also the City Attorney. He is the legal adviser of the Mayor, City Council and all officers and departments of the City. 

The Ag District #3 and most of its members are responsible for producing the RHR and Sale. Several get paid to work during the event.

Kim Petersen, the Director of the Winnemucca Convention & Visitor Authority, is listed as the primary producer for the Ranch Hand Rodeo and Sale.

The WCVA is funded by taxpayer dollars generated during special events.

The Winnemucca Events Complex (fairgrounds) is funded primarily by property tax.

In 2019 it was allocated $1,780,805 collected from property taxes, room tax, services charges and other publically funded sources. See page 39 for a detailed tax breakdown for WEC.

The Winnemucca Convention & Visitors Authority mission is stated as:

• Helping Winnemucca to be the place where people want to stay and play
• Contributing to the quality of life
• Promoting tourism

Kim Petersenis also the producer of the Ranch Hand Rodeo. 

Mr. Petersen