A capacity crowd of enthusiastic fans filled the stands on the opening performance of the 79th annual Gerry Fire Department’s PRCA rodeo 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.
A total of 215 professional cowboys and cowgirls from more than 30 states as far away as Texas and Montana as well as Canada have entered the week’s competition which pays $50,00 in prize money. The excitement continues tonight, Friday, and Saturday with all eight 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 announcer Greg Simas began the evening’s festivities with the presentation of the flag and prayer, followed by the National Anthem and the Grand Entry with the competitors circling the arena on horseback prior to the start of the competition.
The very physically demanding bareback bronc riding event kicked off the action with Tanner Phipps of Dalton, Georgia, posting the highest score with a 80-point ride on Painted Pony’s Wild Willy. Luke Herbert from College Grove, Tennessee, was close behind with 77 points, while Tate Papszycki, of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, was third on his bronc with 73 points.
The ten steer wrestlers, who each paid a $100 entry fee, had little success in throwing their steers to the arena dirt as only four of the ten cowboys posted times. Brayden Mahon, Lake Luzerne, New York, topped the competition with a very fast 6.4 seconds. Clay Harp, Jr., Franklinville, New Jersey, placed second with a 7.5 second time.
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 one team, Clint Southworth and Justin England from Bagdad, Kentucky, complete the required roping with a time of 12.9 seconds. Four other teams roped the head of their steer but failed to rope both hind legs, resulting in a penalty of ten seconds.
Twelve cowgirls entered the breakaway roping event, but only three of them, all from New York State, were able to rope their calf successfully. Sierra Clement from Hudson Falls was fastest at 3.7 seconds, followed by Jessie Letzelter of Pottersville at 4.0 and Emily Fabian of Gansevort at 4.5 seconds. Megan Camerson, Oxford, Pennsylvania, roped in her calf in the fastest time of the night at 3.0 seconds but was penalized five seconds for failing to give the calf the required head start.
Eight of the saddle bronc riders had successful rides in very close competition with only 12 points separating them. Jake Barnes traveled from Stephenville, Texas, to post an outstanding ride of 82 points aboard Painted Pony’s National Finals bronc George’s Bad Cat. Second place on the night was a tie of 78 points between Stephen Graefen, Gainesboro, Tennessee, and Roy Troyer of Milton, Tennessee.
The cowgirls barrel racing saw four of the ten girls post times under 16 seconds. Madison Iager, Woodbine, Maryland, was fastest at 15,64 seconds. Nicole Davidson, Canterbury, Connecticut was second with a time of 15.73, and Riley Shetron, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, was third at 15.84.
The Painted Pony bulls evidently didn’t like the hot weather at they came out of the chutes in an angry mood, giving the fans a lot of excitement as they tossed nine of the 11 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. The two cowboys who had successful rides posted high scores as Lukasey Morris from Union City, Oklahoma, posted an 87 score on Painted Pony’s Dance Monkey while Michael Caruso from Pilesgrove, New Jersey scored 81 on his bull.
In addition to the rodeo competition, the 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 pony rides, face painting, and sand art.
Tonight’s performance features a special admission price for military members and first responders who are admitted to the rodeo for $10 with proper ID. These tickets must be purchased at the rodeo office. 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 4:00, 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 3:00.
Parking is free with donations accepted to benefit the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department as do all proceeds from the rodeo to support their efforts to respond to about 350 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 tonight, as well as Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. with all eight traditional rodeo events. The kitchen crew reports serving about 660 barbecue dinners on opening night and will continue to offer the dinners in the air-conditioned dining room from 5-8 each day.
Additional information is available on the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at 716-985-4847 0r 1-888-985-4847.
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