A quiet moment before the chaos of the arena is now front and center, offering a perspective most fans never see.
The 2026 Reno Rodeo limited edition art print was unveiled during the Reno Rodeo Association’s April membership luncheon. Titled “Ready to Ride,” the piece focuses on what happens just before the action begins.
Each year, the Reno Rodeo Association president selects an artist to create the official limited edition print, shaping a piece meant to reflect the spirit of the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West.” For 2026, Reno Rodeo President Mark Sutton said the choice was clear.
The artwork was created by longtime Reno Rodeo photographer and association member Louis Basso, a native Nevadan and graduate of Earl Wooster High School. The image shows a saddle bronc rider walking up the steps behind the chutes with gear in hand, while a flag team member rides past carrying the American flag. The scene is framed by a Nevada sky and the grandstands, combining preparation and anticipation.
“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 said the image draws from more than two decades of photographing the Reno Rodeo, especially time spent behind the chutes documenting how cowboys prepare.
“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.”
The final piece blends multiple photographs to create a single scene that reflects that movement.
Basso said being selected to create the 2026 print marks a significant moment in his time with the association.
“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.”
Sutton said the collaboration also carried personal meaning.
“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 through the Reno Rodeo office.
For more information, visit renorodeo.com.
