NEVADA STATE OFFICE NO. 2003-49 
FOR RELEASE:  June 5, 2003

FLAG BEARER MAKES ENTRANCE ON WILD HORSE

Rhonda Serr is Nevada’s poster girl for wild horse and burro shows.  The 23-year old college student carried the American flag in the Reno Rodeo last year.  Her freeze-marked wild horse, Caesar, carried her as she opened the ceremonies each day; thus, numerous photographers captured the pair’s image. 

            Caesar is a liver chestnut horse born on the Nevada Wild Horse Range, Nellis Air Force Range.  Serr, through her parent, adopted Caesar from the Bureau of Land Management in 1991.  Training began with Caesar when Rhonda was 11 years old.  With clinics, books and suggestions from other horsemen, Rhonda and Caesar soon were participating in barrel racing and pole bending at Junior and High School Rodeos. 

By 2001, the pair graduated to the National Wild Horse and Burro Show where they won the Open Division, Champion Reserve in 2001 and 2002.  The pair plans to compete again this year at the show and adoption on June 14 and 15 at the Winnemucca Events Center, Winnemucca, Nevada. 

Serr, a University of Nevada, Reno, student who studied occupational therapy and will soon be a graduate student, said that as a member of the Reno Rodeo Flag Team she and Caesar practice at least three days a week for about three and a half months before the Largest and Richest Rodeo in the West.  Of almost 60 flag team members, only one other member rides a wild horse.  The Directors of the Reno Rodeo Association choose the member who will carry the American flag during try-outs.  Serr and Caesar share the honor of carrying the American flag during the Reno Rodeo Parade in June and the Nevada Day Parade in October. 

The National Wild Horse and Burro Show will be June 14 and 15 in Winnemucca at the Events Center.  The show, which is free to spectators, begins each day at 8 a.m.  Forty-three horses, including five saddle-ready horses trained by the Nevada Department of Corrections, will be offered for adoption.  These horses can be viewed both Saturday and Sunday morning, with a competitive bid adoption slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 15.  Photos of the horses are posted at: www.nv.blm.gov. 

Information on the adoption is available through the Bureau of Land Management’s Winnemucca office, 775 623-1500.  For show events, visit www.wild-horse.org or call the show secretary at 775 867-2355.

-BLM-

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