Each year at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Red Bluff Round-Up teams up with Las Vegas Events, Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation to honor children and their families fighting life-threatening cancer through the Golden Circle of Champions.
Through the support of incredible donors and community fundraisers, the Red Bluff Round-Up is able to sponsor a local child battling pediatric cancer and take them on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Las Vegas.
During the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Red Bluff's own Taylor Pitner, an eighth grader from Berrendos Middle School, was one of the Golden Circle of Champions honored during Sunday’s Performance at the Thomas and Mack. Taylor has been battling T-cell leukemia for almost four years.
Before experiencing the arena action, Taylor got to hang with Professional Bull Rider Wacey Schalla & Steer Wrestler Justin Shaffer. Each Golden Champion also received an entire sponsored outfit: a Resistol hat, Justin Boots, a belt, and Wrangler Western attire to truly experience what it is like to be a cowboy/cowgirl.
The professional men and women competing will tell you the Golden Circle of Champions hits close to home. Several athletes wind up building relationships with their young champions beyond the NFR experience. Visiting the hospital during treatments or offering an invitation to a rodeo nearby is something both the rodeo associations and competitors enjoy doing for the kids and their families.
The Red Bluff Round-Up Association is honored to have 14-year-old Rydan Robertson as our 2025 Champion! Rydan has lived in Northern California his entire life and currently lives in Quincy, CA, with his mother, Chelsea, a local flight nurse. Rydan has been in and out of treatment since June of 2023, with his last treatment approximately twelve months ago.
To find out how you can contribute and support this cause, please contact our office at (530) 527-1000 or visit goldencircleofchampions.com.