GERRY – The weatherman predicted thunderstorms, but he was wrong as 2500 fans turned out to watch exciting professional rodeo action under warm, clear skies for the second performance of the Gerry Fire Department’s 79th annual rodeo.
The night’s activities began as announcer Greg Simas introduced a special tribute to our military members, first responders, and health care workers by having them stand to a prolonged ovation from the fans. Prayer, the National Anthem, and the grand entry with all the competing cowboys and cowgirls circling the arena on horseback concluded the opening ceremonies.
Bareback bronc riding kicked off the competition with six cowboys making successful rides. Jason Wilson from Bennington, Vermont, topped the group with an 83-point ride aboard a bronc named Muddy Trails. Houston Herbert from College Grove, Tennessee, was close behind with a 79-point ride.
The steer wrestlers had a very tough night as only two of the ten cowboys were able to wrestle their steer to the ground. Clay harp, Jr. thrilled the crowd with an outstanding time of 5.6 seconds, while second place wrestler, John Leinaweaver, Aspers, Pennsylvania, was far behind at 14.9 seconds.
It may be that the humidity affected the ropes of the team ropers as only four teams were able to successfully rope the horns and hind legs of their steer. The team of Carmine Nastri, Ballston, New York, and Kenny Brown, Keedysville, Maryland, who have won a total of 30 Circuit Finals, made quick work of their night as they posted one of the fastest times ever in this arena at 5.6 seconds.
The cowgirls competing in the breakaway roping event also seemed to have trouble with their ropes as Lindsey Kraus, who traveled from Pacific, Missouri, to compete here in Gerry, was the only cowgirl to successfully rope her calf and did it in a remarkable 3.6 seconds.
Eight saddle bronc riders made successful rides on their mounts with Ray Hoststetler of Campbell, New York, topping the competition with an 80-point ride on a bronc named Moon Pie. Rudy Troyer from Milton, Tennessee, was a tough luck second place finisher with 79 points. Four other riders made the competition exciting with scores in the 70’s.
The tie-down roping competition was very close as only 1.1 seconds separated the first three ropers. Veteran cowboy J.R. Myers, Felton, Pennsylvania, was fastest with 11.1 second time followed by Brady Brennan, Ashburnham, Massachusetts, at 11.6 and Zach Danison at 12.2.
Only two cowgirl barrel racers broke the 16 seconds barrier with just three-one hundredths of a second separating them. Both of those ladies made a long trip to compete in Gerry. Lexi Hall from Bark River, Michigan, was fastest in the cloverleaf pattern at 15.9,5 while Lindsay Leverington, Jonesburg, Missouri, finished at 15.98.
The Painted Rodeo’s bulls continued to show their nasty disposition as all eleven bull riders were tossed to the arena dirt. Again, as last night, there were no serious injuries due to the outstanding work of the daring bullfighters in protecting the fallen cowboys. After the first two nights of this rodeo, the score stands at Bulls 22, Cowboys 1. Fans will be hoping for a comeback from the cowboys over the next two nights.
The rodeo continues tonight and Saturday night at 8 with more than 220 professional cowboys and cowgirls trying to win a piece of the more than $50,000 in prize money. The barbeque beef dinners are served both evenings from 5-8 in the air-conditioned dining room. The midway with more than 20 vendors also opens at 5:00.
A free kids’ rodeo will be held on Saturday afternoon in the rodeo arena for kids ages 3-8 where they will play rodeo related games supervised by rodeo personnel with a belt buckle awarded for the best dressed little cowboy and cowgirl. Reistraton is at 3:00.
Further information is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at 716-985-4847 or 1-888-985-4547. Tickets may be purchased from these sources or at the rodeo office or the ticket booths. The performances will go on rain or shine and all profits benefit the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department.
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