Despite the prediction of rain every evening, the 79th Gerry Fire Department’s PRCA rodeo saw the weather clear, and the fans filled the arena all four nights under clear skies to watch exciting action in the eight rodeo events. A total of approximately 10,000 fans came through the gates to cheer on the more than 200 cowboys and cowgirls from 32 states and Canada each night, who took home over $50,000 in winnings.
The fans were again treated to closeups and replays of the action on the giant stadium style screen mounted high over the stands, courtesy of the Shults Auto Group. Rodeo chairman Tom Atwell says that this rodeo is made possible by the nearly 100 businesses and individuals who help to sponsor this event each year. LandPro of Falconer is responsible for the tractors and other equipment necessary to move supplies and to keep the arena in top shape.
Head chef Kyle Van Akin and his wife Britta, who supervises the kitchen, report that nearly 3000 fans showed up to enjoy the traditional beef barbeque dinners during the week. Chairman Atwell also emphasizes the importance of the approximately 150 volunteers, some of whom give up their vacation, to make this event possible.
The Painted Pony Pro Rodeo of lake Luzerne, New York, is to be commended for putting on a “top notch” event as they brought more than 100 well cared for stock to challenge the professional cowgirls and cowboys who travel from across the country. They also provide the chutes and the outstanding crew to make the event run smoothly. One of the most important persons involved is one of rodeo’s top announcers, Greg Simas, whose skill and knowledge of rodeo keeps the fans informed and entertained.
Saturday night’s closing performance had a standing room only crowd as the cowboys and cowgirls tried their best to win some of the prize money available. The action kicked off with the bareback bronc event. A Vermont cowboy, Jason Wilson, tied for the highest point ride of the week as he scored 83 points on Painted Pony’s bronc named Wild Willy to win $900.
The big man’s event, steer wrestling, saw A.J. Williams, a Pennsylvania cowboy, throw his steer to the dirt in 5.6 seconds, the second fastest time of the week. Chad Stoltzfus from Maryland was second at 5.9.
The team roping had only four teams succeed in roping the horns and hind legs of their steer with two teams tying for first with an 8.8 second time with the team of Lavern King and Todd Feaser and the father/son team of Tanner Smith and T.J. Smith each taking home $1000.
Two cowboys from Milton, Tennessee, captured the top spots in the saddle bronc event. Rudy Troyer was tops with a 75.5 ride Painted Pony’ s Teepie Feathers, while Stephen Greafen was second at 72.
The tie-down roping was very close as a long-time competitor J.R. Myers of Felton, Pennsylvania, tied his calf in the fastest time of the week in 9.8 seconds. Second place went to Ohio’s Zak Danison with a 10.2 time.
The top three times in the cowgirls’ breakaway roping were very close as only four-tenths of a second separated them. Sam Valone was the fastest at 2.7, with Austee VonAhn second at 2.9, and Keeley Senn third at 3.1.
Five barrel racers broke the 16-second barrier and were also separated by the same four-tenths of a second as the breakaway ropers. Nicole Davidson who traveled with her horse from Canterbury, Connecticut, raced around the cloverleaf pattern in 15.54 seconds, edging Ronda Casey by just a hundredth of a second at 15,55.
The last event of the rodeo, the bull riding, had the overflow crowd on the edge of their seats as they knew the score - that only two cowboys had made qualified rides on the 31 bulls during the week, none since opening night. Unfortunately, their cheers for the cowboys were in vain as the bulls again won 10-0, leaving the crowd disappointed except for the few who were rooting for the bulls.
Chairman Atwell termed the rodeo “very successful” in their efforts to raise money to support the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department who answer more than 300 emergency calls each year. As the volunteers closed the gates and turned out the lights on this event, they were already talking about next summer when they celebrate the 80thconsecutive year of professional rodeo in this small town. Dates for that event are July 30 – August 2. Information about this rodeo, including history and up-to-date news is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.com.
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