Submitted Photo The Graham family inspects the trophies son Trevor won in the New York High School Rodeo From left: Lexi, Mom Shana, Trevor, Dad Shawn, Gabby.

GERRY — For the husband-and-wife team of Shawn and Shana Graham, owners of Painted Pony Pro Rodeo, coming to Gerry for the Fire Department’s 81st consecutive PRCA rodeo Aug. 5-8, is a return trip to the place where they came as contestants years ago, he as a bronc rider and she as a barrel racer.

This time, however, they are back for a 14th year as stock contractors and producers of the longest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi along with all the responsibilities that go with the job.

Among their many duties will be bringing more than 150 head of stock and the chutes and pens needed, registering the more than 200 contestants from across the nation, hiring the announcer, the clown, the bullfighter, the secretary, and the specialty acts, and most importantly, organizing the entire performance each night so that the show operates in its most efficient and entertaining manner.

Shawn has always had rodeo in his blood as his father was a bull fighter and steer wrestler, while his mother was a barrel racer, so it was natural that he became a bronc rider. Unfortunately, an injury cut his riding career short and he began making a living as a bovine (cow) hoof trimmer. Along with this, he began leasing bulls to the Painted Pony Rodeo. In the process he found that Shana, a friend of his from high school, was working in the rodeo office and the romance developed.

Twenty-five years ago, the owner of the Painted Pony Rodeo, which was started 58 years ago in Lake Luzerne, New York, decided to retire and Shawn became the new owner. At that time, the rodeo there held three performances weekly during the summer months in their modern arena. Since that time Shawn has continued that tradition while branching out to other areas of the Northeast and now is putting on approximately 100 performances each year as far away as Florida as well as providing stock for the First Frontier Finals in Harrisburg. All of this means a very busy life as they manage their 850 acres of land and care for 350 head of stock.

While this was going on, Shawn and Shana were married and now have three children — Gabriel, (Gabby) 20, Alexis,15, and Trevor,17. Rodeo has become more than a business but is a way of life for all of them. Mom Shana is still barrel racing while Gabby and Lexi are both competing in barrel racing and break-away roping hoping to win some prize money in Gerry.

Trevor is making a name for himself in high school rodeo and is presently competing in Nebraska in the National High School Rodeo in three events – steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and team roping. He was recently named as “All-around Cowboy” at the New York State High School Championships.

The rodeo opens Wednesday, Aug. 5 and continues nightly through Saturday, Aug. 8 at 8 in the arena six miles north of Gerry on Route 60. The famous beef barbeque dinners are served prior to each show beginning at 5 along with the midway which features more than 20 vendors with food and souvenirs. All proceeds benefit the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department as they answer more than 200 EMS and fire calls each year. Additional information and presale tickets are available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at (716) 985-4847.

Fans are reminded that this year, tickets are “date specific” due to safety concerns with overcrowding for some performances.