PHOENIX, Arizona, April 18, 2022 – Producers of the world’s richest one-day Open roping – the annual Bob Feist Invitational – moved the 45-year-old BFI to Oklahoma after 37 years in Reno, but are excited to announce “the final showdown” in Reno this summer.
In the last year of its contract with the Reno Rodeo, Ullman Peterson Events’ BFI will produce the Resistol Reno Open Championship, presented by The Silver Legacy Resort & Casino, on Saturday, June 18. The Open is guaranteed to pay at least $100,000 for first place and, like its predecessor the BFI, will showcase the best 100 teams in the world over five full go-rounds and a short round.
“The feedback has been so amazing in Oklahoma that we’ve kept the BFI there,” said Daren Peterson of Ullman Peterson Events. “Still, Open ropers have made Reno a destination every June since 1984, and we have loved our relationship with the Reno Rodeo and Silver Legacy Resort & Casino. The Reno Open and handicapped amateur jackpots, along with the all-girl ropings, will serve the Western part of the U.S.”
Last year, Kolton Schmidt and Wyatt Cox roped six steers in 40.27 seconds to hit the $100,000 jackpot at the Reno Open.
“It doesn’t matter what they call it, it’s a part of BFI tradition – we’re in Reno and it paid fifty grand a man,” said Schmidt after the win. “We roped against the best guys in the world and beat ’em. That’s a big deal.”
Team ropers will get one final chance at that feeling on June 18. Per tradition, the Resistol Reno Open will be preceded by the annual Cowboy Auction and Dinner at the Silver Legacy on Friday night, June 17. Doors open at 5 p.m. and a ticket to the Reno Open will get you in free. This year, the Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West will kick off its first performance on Thursday night, two days before the Resistol Reno Open.
“Resistol is excited to be the title sponsor for the Reno Open, produced by the same folks that have the BFI,” said Mary Jane Carpenter, Director of Marketing for Resistol. “One hundred thousand bucks to the Open average winners will be a perfect start to the Fourth of July rodeo runs, and Resistol will be a part of it.”
This year, lucrative World Series and National Team Roping jackpots will again comprise Championship Week to make Reno a great team roper’s destination this summer. The Hooey Jr. Reno Open will kick the week off in nearby Fallon for youth ropers, while Reno will again host a high-stakes 12.5, 11.5, Over-40 10.5 with 9.5 Incentive, Over-50 8.5 and a new 7.5. Championship week concludes with the Charlie 1 Horse All-Girl team roping and breakaway jackpots – which are qualifiers to the May 2023 WCRA Women’s Rodeo World Championships.
“We can hardly believe we paid out $2.88 million in cash this year at Wrangler BFI Week in Oklahoma,” said Peterson. “Championship Week in Reno is sure to be worth fat checks for team ropers who get hot, too. It’s the perfect start for Cowboy Christmas, and we look forward to seeing our friends compete in the numbered ropings, as well.”
Tickets for the Resistol Reno Open can be purchased on site at the Reno Sparks Livestock Events Center or during the Cowboy Auction held at the Silver Legacy. That’s also the host hotel, so call (800) 687-8733 or visit https://book.passkey.com/go/SRRITR2 and use code “SRRITR2” to obtain your roper discount. Entries for the Resistol Reno Open will open May 1 and need to be postmarked by May 31. Entries for all other ropings can be mailed by May 31 or can be taken on-site with no late fees. Visit www.bfireno.com for schedule details and entry forms. TRJ
