Packed house watched New Year’s Eve bull riding in Fallon

The second annual Hoey Top Gun Invitational rang out 2023 by showcasing some of the region’s top bull riders before a packed house on New Year’s Eve at the Rafter 3C Arena.

Packed house watched New Year’s Eve bull riding in Fallon
The Hoey Top Gun Invitational thanked the city for being a major sponsor of this year’s Hoey Top Gun Invitational. From left are Jane Moon, the city’s tourism director; Hunter Giovanetti, the Rafter 3C Arena; Chad Denton, Hoey Top Gun Invitational; and Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford. Steve Ranson / NSN

The second annual Hoey Top Gun Invitational rang out 2023 by showcasing some of the region’s top bull riders before a packed house on New Year’s Eve at the Rafter 3C Arena.

In a tight race among the top five riders, Justin Spears of Redding, Calif., edged Scott Wells of Queensland, Australia, by a half point in the average, 166 to 165.5 points, to finish the first go in second place with 85 points and the second go with 82.

On the other hand, Wells did not finish in the top four in the first go, by he took second place in the next go with 83 points.

Rounding out the top four in the average were Fallon’s Levi Quillan with 160 points and trailing him with 159.5 points was Jate Frost of Randlett, Utah.

Photos Steve Ranson / Lahontan Valley News