Gold Rush Challenge Takes on Elko, Nevada

Elko, Nevada – Mark your calendars for the annual Gold Rush Challenge on September 9th, 2023. Get ready to see top bull riders take on some of the rankest bulls. This event is full of adrenaline and will have you on the edge of your seat. Western States Bucking Bull Association (WSBBA) and Benavides Bucking Bull LLC are collaborating in bringing you this extreme event. The event will take place at the Elko County Fairgrounds located at 13 Fairgrounds Rd, Elko, NV 89801. All ages are welcome!

Proud Affiliate

The Gold Rush Challenge continues to be a proud affiliate of the Western States Bucking Bull Association (WSBBA). They are thrilled to provide affordable competition events for bull riders, bulls, and stock contractors in the western states such as Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. They get the opportunity to showcase their talent, and athleticism, and win authentic buckles. Their events bring a spotlight to aspiring young athletes while they show their skills in bull riding and mutton busting. 

Champion Bulls

There are champion animal athletes among Benavides Bucking Bulls to look out for. Three top bulls, Firecracker, Triple X, and Chainsaw of Benavides Bucking Bulls have reached elite levels making it to the PBR all while putting the quaint town of Elko on the map. It had been debuted in the nationally televised CBS event Professional Bull Riders (PBR) since 2020.  PBR bull rider, Jose Vitor Leme won PBR Teams MVP on their very own animal athlete, Chainsaw last year in 2022.

Benavides Bucking Bulls Team

Benavides Bucking Bulls wouldn’t be what it is today without special thanks to Efren Benavides and Anthony Sandoval. They are the powerhouse behind it all and they continue to create opportunities to support their community of Elko, Nevada. From donating to scholarships, sponsoring local children’s sports teams, fostering economic growth through vendor opportunities at the events, and offering in-person practice opportunities for aspiring rodeo athletes, the Benavides Bucking Bulls team truly cares and continues to work together to give back to their community. 

Schedule

Friday, September 8, 2023

• 6:00 PM: Meet & Greet and Bucking Bull Calcutta Pre-Party
  • Location: Dreez, 405 Silver St, Elko, NV 89801 (near Stockmen’s Casino)

Saturday, September 9, 2023

*All Saturday events take place at the Elko County Fairgrounds. Location: 13 Fairgrounds Road, Elko, NV 89801

• 9:30 AM: Junior’s, Women’s, and Open 2-Year-Old Futurity Event
  • FREE ENTRY

• 4:30 PM: Elko County Fairgrounds Gates Open

• 5:00 PM: Mutton Busting and Mini Bull Riding

• 6:00 PM: 3-year-old, 4-year-old, and Maturity Bucking Bulls Event

• Following Event: Bucking Bulls & Bull-Riders Awards Ceremony

• Following Awards Ceremony: 2023 Gold Rush Dance with Live Band!
  • Cowboy Bar (at the Elko County Fairgrounds)

*Bring your appetite! Food and beverages will be available for purchase at concessions.

Credit: Sam Campbell with Eagle Eye Photography

Tickets

• General Admission: $15
• Kids: $5
• Box Seats (6 tickets): $180

Where to Stay

Ramada by Wyndham Elko Hotel at Stockmen’s Casino

Ramada is located only minutes from the Elko Regional Airport (ELK), I-80, and the Elko Fairgrounds at 340 Commercial St, Elko, NV 89801. The hotel offers plenty of free parking, free WiFi internet access, a fitness center, a swimming pool, a business center, and a free breakfast in the restaurant. To reserve your room, call 775-738-5141. Be sure to request the special rate for Gold Rush Challenge!

Home 2 Suites by Hilton

This modern all-suite hotel is less than two miles from the Elko Fairgrounds and Downtown Elko. It is set along I-80 located at 2572 E Jennings Way, Elko, NV 89801. There is complimentary parking, breakfast, and WiFi during your stay. The hotel also offers a 24/7 pantry, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a patio with BBQ facilities. Pets are welcome for a fee. To reserve your room, call 775-234-5354. Be sure to request the special rate for Gold Rush Challenge!

Get ready to take Elko, Nevada by the horns and join us at the Gold Rush Challenge! Purchase your tickets today!

About the Author:

Megan deFabry

Biography:

Howdy, I'm Megan deFabry. I grew up in Reno, Nevada, but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home. I now reside in Austin, Texas since 2020. I'm driven by my faith, cherished relationships with family and friends, and my professional ambitions. I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism, especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle, the grit of agriculture, the excitement of rodeo, and the heart of country music.

For nearly a decade, I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling. And like any good cowboy tale, there's a loyal sidekick, my little Dachshund, Frank, who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, back in 2018. He keeps me grounded, reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys.

I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication. My major taught me to decode consumer behavior, which is crucial for marketing, while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills. Since then, I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy, staying ahead in a fast-moving field. My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO, Irish Padmore, who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI.

Since 2018, I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Now as Editor-in-Chief writing, editing, and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit, crafting strategies rooted in Western values, and building real client connections. Guided by ethical journalism, I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit.

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