RENO, Nev. – The 2026 Reno Rodeo limited edition art print was unveiled during the Reno Rodeo Association’s April membership luncheon. The piece, titled “Ready to Ride,” offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the moments leading up to the action inside the arena.
Each year, the Reno Rodeo Association president selects and collaborates with an artist to create the official limited edition art print, setting the vision for a piece that reflects the spirit of the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West.” For 2026, Reno Rodeo President Mark Sutton said there was no question who he would choose.
This year’s piece was created by longtime Reno Rodeo photographer and association member Louis Basso, a native Nevadan and graduate of Earl Wooster High School. The image captures a saddle bronc rider ascending the steps behind the chutes, gear in hand, as a flag team member rides past with the American flag. A vibrant Nevada sky and the energy of the grandstands frame the scene, blending the quiet intensity of preparation with the excitement of the rodeo itself.
“I’ve known Louie for a long time, and there was no question in my mind that he was the right artist for this,” said Sutton. “This piece really captures a side of the rodeo that most fans don’t get to see. I knew I wanted something behind the scenes—something different—and he brought that vision to life in a way that feels authentic.”
Basso, who has spent more than two decades photographing the Reno Rodeo, drew inspiration from years spent behind the chutes documenting the routines and rhythms of the cowboys. The final image is a carefully composed blend of multiple photographs that captures the movement and emotion of the scene.
“Everything in the image is real—it just doesn’t happen all at once,” said Basso. “Cowboys are constantly moving, getting ready, staying loose. This was about capturing that energy and giving people a glimpse into what happens just before they step into the arena.”
Basso said being selected to create the 2026 limited edition art print marks a meaningful milestone in his decades-long connection to the Reno Rodeo.
“I’ve spent 20 years as part of this association, and all of that experience brought me to this point,” Basso said. “I’m proud and honored to be chosen to create my first official Reno Rodeo art print. Mark and I have spent a lot of time around the behind-the-scenes side of the rodeo, and we wanted to bring that to light for fans to appreciate.”
For Sutton, the collaboration carried both personal significance and creative impact.
“The best part of this process was getting to do it with a dear friend,” Sutton said. “Louie is more than a photographer—he’s an artist. We spent a lot of time talking through ideas, and it was a really special experience to see it all come together.”
A limited run of 250 signed and numbered prints will be available for purchase through the Reno Rodeo office.
For more information about the Reno Rodeo, visit renorodeo.com.
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About the Reno Rodeo
Established in 1919 as The Nevada Roundup, the Reno Rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned event and one of the top rodeos in North America. As the third-richest rodeo in the PRCA Playoff Series and the sixth-richest overall (based on 2023 payouts), the Reno Rodeo welcomes more than 200,000 attendees annually, including spectators, volunteers, contestants, and grounds visitors, and brings an estimated $56 million in economic impact to the Reno/Sparks area. The event features top PRCA action, including bareback, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, women’s breakaway roping, women’s barrel racing and bull riding, along with a carnival, a kick-off concert and a Western marketplace. The Reno Rodeo Association, a non-profit organization of more than 1,000 volunteers, is dedicated to producing the world’s greatest rodeo, promoting the sport, honoring Nevada’s western heritage, and giving back to the community. The 2026 Reno Rodeo will take place June 18–27. Stay connected with Reno Rodeo on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, or for more information, visit renorodeo.com.
