By Brett Fisher

  • Photos by Brett Fisher. A bull and its rider kick out of the chute Friday evening at Carson City's rodeo arena.
    Photos by Brett Fisher. A bull and its rider kick out of the chute Friday evening at Carson City’s rodeo arena.
  • The crowd in the arena stands watch barrel racers Friday evening.
    The crowd in the arena stands watch barrel racers Friday evening.
  • Crowds in the rodeo arena stands Friday evening.
    Crowds in the rodeo arena stands Friday evening.
  • A junior rider is bucked off a young bull Friday at the start of the bull riding competition.
    A junior rider is bucked off a young bull Friday at the start of the bull riding competition.
  • A barrel racer cuts tightly around a barrel Friday.
    A barrel racer cuts tightly around a barrel Friday.
  • A large bull bucks off its rider as it eyes the bullfighters in the arena Friday.
    A large bull bucks off its rider as it eyes the bullfighters in the arena Friday.
  • A barrel racer makes her cut around a barrel Friday.
    A barrel racer makes her cut around a barrel Friday.
  • A barrel racer sprints toward the next barrel in Friday's timed race.
    A barrel racer sprints toward the next barrel in Friday’s timed race.
  • A barrel racer maneuvers around a barrel Friday.
    A barrel racer maneuvers around a barrel Friday.
  • A barrel sways after being brushed by the horse in Friday's barrel race.
    A barrel sways after being brushed by the horse in Friday’s barrel race.
  • A junior bull rider on a young bull Friday.
    A junior bull rider on a young bull Friday.
  • A professional bull rider clings to the back of an angry bull Friday.
    A professional bull rider clings to the back of an angry bull Friday.
  • A bull kicks out of the chute Friday.
    A bull kicks out of the chute Friday.
  • A bullfighter challenges a bull after its rider had been bucked off.
    A bullfighter challenges a bull after its rider had been bucked off.
  • A bull charges a bullfighter Friday.
    A bull charges a bullfighter Friday.
  • A bullfighter entices a bull to chase him toward the exit chute.
    A bullfighter entices a bull to chase him toward the exit chute.

The 2017 Carson City Fair was in full swing Friday, but the evevning’s highlight was opening night of the Bulls, Broncs and Barrels Smackdown Rodeo held at the Carson City Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena.

A robust crowd watched rodeo events unfold at 7 p.m. with youth mutton busters and calf riders, followed by high-kicking broncs, nimble barrel racers and mad bulls.

Two days of rodeo continue Saturday at 7 p.m. when events commence for a second show. Go here for more information.

The Carson City Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena is located in between Bodine’s Casino and Fuji Park off Old Clear Creek Road in South Carson City.