The stock contractor and producer for the 77th annual Gerry Rodeo, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, is much more than a business but is truly a way of life for the entire Graham family.
Dad Shawn and Mom Shana have had a lifelong love of rodeo as both competed in rodeo in their earlier years. Twelve years ago, they had the opportunity to purchase the Painted Pony Rodeo in Lake Lucerne, New York, and have built it into a full-time family business as they produce approximately 50 rodeos a year across the Eastern states and as far away as Florida
They now have more than 100 head of outstanding bucking bulls and horses on their home ranch where, in addition to their thousands of miles of travel each year to other locations, they have a rodeo and barbeque each summer weekend.
Shawn and Shana now have three children who have grown up in the rodeo atmosphere, helping with chores on the ranch, owning their own horses, and attending dozens of rodeos each year. Gabby,16, Lexi 14, and Trevor,13, have recently begun competing in youth rodeos sponsored by the New York State High School Rodeo Association where recently all three won “All-Around“ honors in their age group, an award given to the competitor who wins the most points while competing in at least two events. New York is one of 45 states as well as five Canadian provinces that have a high school rodeo association.
By finishing in the top four from New York, Lexi and Trevor qualified to compete in the National Junior High Finals in Perry, Georgia, while Gabby qualified for the National High School Finals in Gillette, Wyoming, an event which features 1500 high school competitors. There Gabby finished 31st out of 200 barrel racers.
The Graham family will be arriving early next week with several semi loads of stock and equipment to produce a professional rodeo which features more than 200 cowboys and cowgirls vying for a share of the $50,000 prize money in the eight traditional rodeo events. Also featured are the famous beef barbeque dinners and a midway with more than 20 vendors.
The rodeo runs next Wednesday though Saturday, August 3-6, at 8:00 each evening with the dinners served from 5:00 until 8:00. Additional information is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at (716) 985-4847 or 1-888-985-4847.
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