Bulls 14, Cowboys 0
Riders had work to do after Day 1 of rodeo
OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank Tim Murphy of Pelzer, South Carolina, rides Timber during bareback bronc riding Thursday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry.
OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank New York State Trooper Andrew Young of Falconer sings the national anthem at the start Day 2 of the Gerry Rodeo on Thursday in Gerry.
OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank Steer wrestler Ty Pitman competes Thursday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry.
OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank Slim Griffin of Monroe, North Carolina, rides Little Brother during saddle bronc action Thursday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry.
OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank Tim Murphy of Pelzer, South Carolina, rides Timber during bareback bronc riding Thursday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry.
OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank New York State Trooper Andrew Young of Falconer sings the national anthem at the start Day 2 of the Gerry Rodeo on Thursday in Gerry.
OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank Steer wrestler Ty Pitman competes Thursday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry.
OBSERVER Photo by Tim Frank Slim Griffin of Monroe, North Carolina, rides Little Brother during saddle bronc action Thursday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry.
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Editor’s note: Results in this article reference Wednesday’s results from the Gerry Rodeo. Thursday night’s action will be recapped in Saturday’s edition.
GERRY -- The rain stopped, the skies cleared for a near-capacity crowd of enthusiastic fans who filled the stands on the opening performance of the 80th annual Gerry Fire Department's PRCA rodeo Wednesday to watch a record number of cowboys and cowgirls whom announcer Greg Simas called the world's most dedicated athletes as they pay their own expenses, pay an entry fee to compete, and leave with nothing unless they win.
More than 200 professional cowboys and cowgirls from more than 30 states as far away as Texas and Montana as well as Canada entered the week's competition which pays $50,000 in prize money. The excitement continues tonight and Saturday with all eight rodeo events being contested each evening at 8 in the arena just north of Jamestown on Route 60.
Rodeo has always placed an emphasis on patriotism and faith, and legendary announcer Greg Simas began the evening's festivities with the presentation of the flag and prayer, followed by the national anthem and a salute to our military members and first responders. The Grand Entry with the competitors circling the arena on horseback kicked off the evening's competition.
The very physically demanding bareback bronc riding event began the action as four of the six bronc riders posted qualified rides with Matthew Smith, a cowboy from Missouri posting the high score with an 80-point ride. Tim Murphy out of South Carolina, was second at 78.5 points. Lane Evans scored a 71-point ride and Tyler Ferguson, all the way from Colorado, made a 69-point ride.
The 10 steer wrestlers, who each paid a $100 entry fee, had little success in throwing their steers to the arena dirt as only five of the 10 cowboys posted times as the steers seemed faster than usual. Gavin Sloat, who hails from Woodstown, New Jersey, was fastest at 5.8 seconds with John Leinaweaver placing second at 10.0 seconds. Three other New Jersey cowboys were successful in bringing the elusive steer down: Clay Harp Jr. (14.1), Coy Dyer (14.8) and Chase Brantmayer (16.8).
The team ropers, who paid an entry fee of $300 each, had a very tough night. This event in which one cowboy ropes the steer's horns while the other ropes the steer's hind legs had only five of the 11 teams post qualified times. Braxton and Brad Culpepper were fastest with a time of 5.6 seconds. Next, with a time of 7.4 seconds, was the team of Darren Morgan and Shane Jenkins. David Ballantyne and T.R. Serio, both from Pennsylvania, got it done in 8.6 seconds. Terry Shetron partnered with Josh Offutt for a 14.5-second time. Filling out the scores for the night were Chaz McGuire and Chris Taylor with 15.5 seconds.
Topping the saddle bronc riders with a 79-point ride on his Painted Pony bronc was Colt Bass from North Carolina. Only one-half point kept a New York cowboy, Ray Hostetler, out of a tie for first with a time of 78.5. Six other cowboys had successful rides in very close competition.
Ten cowgirls entered the breakaway roping event, but the humid weather seemed to affect their ropes as only four cowgirls successfully lassoed her calf. Only six-tenths of a point separated those four with DeNiess Kilgus from Watsontown, Pennsylvania, fastest at 3.7 seconds while Sarah Pita, Middle Grove, New York, was second by only one-tenth of a point at 3.8 seconds.
The fans got a rare look at a three-time defending world champion as Riley Webb traveled from Denton, Texas, to win the tie-down roping event in what may be an arena record as he roped and tied his calf in 8.8 seconds. Four other ropers were successful with veteran J.R. Myers taking second place in a time of 10.8.
The cowgirls barrel racing saw very close competition as all 10 cowgirls posted times around the cloverleaf barrel pattern with eight of the 10 completing their run in less than 17 seconds with two breaking the 16-second mark. Fastest was Willie Horzepa from Millstone, New Jersey, at 15.56 with second place going to Bobbie Griswold of Lake Lucerne, New York, at 15.71.
The Painted Pony bulls evidently had a bad day as they came out of the chutes in an angry mood, giving the fans a lot of excitement as they tossed all 14 riders to the dirt, several of them in quick and dangerous fashion. However, due to the daring action of the bull fighters, all the riders escaped serious injury and will be back to ride again. So after the first performance the score reads Bulls 14, Cowboys 0 with three more performances ahead to close the score.
In addition to the rodeo competition, the lighted Midway is a highlight for many featuring more than 20 vendors offering everything from Western wear to cotton candy to fried dough. It opens at 5 and remains open throughout the evening. It also offers fun for the kids with face painting and sand art.
Chef Kyle VanAkin and his kitchen crew served about 625 of the "once-a-year" beef barbecue dinners which feature beef cooked for eight hours over wood fires and served with the secret sauce, salad, corn, cottage cheese, kettle-browned potatoes, ice cream and a drink. The dinners are served for the next two evenings from 5-8.
Saturday night is "Stompin' Out Breast Cancer" night. Fans are asked to wear pink and contributions will be accepted for Roswell Park for breast cancer research.
On Saturday afternoon at 4, kids ages 3-8 will have the opportunity to be cowboys and cowgirls for a time as they can participate in a free kids' rodeo in the arena where they will play rodeo related games supervised by rodeo personnel. Each kid will receive a back tag, and a belt buckle will be awarded to the best dressed little cowboy and cowgirl. Registration begins at 3.
Parking is free with donations accepted to benefit the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department as do all proceeds from the rodeo in their efforts to respond to about 250 fire and emergency calls per year. Fans are reminded that the event is alcohol free, and like professional football, the nightly events go on rain or shine.
The rodeo continues Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 with all eight traditional rodeo events. Presale tickets are still available online at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at 716-985-4847. All tickets are date-specific due to overcrowding for some performances but will be available at the ticket gates if not sold out.