Dodging storms
Gerry Rodeo continues successful week
Times Observer photo by Tim Frank Leoncio Cortez of Frewsburg, New York, competes in saddle bronc riding Friday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry, N.Y.
Times Observer photo by Tim Frank Tim Murphy of Pelzer, South Carolina, competes in bareback bronc riding Friday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry, N.Y.
Times Observer photo by Tim Frank Leoncio Cortez of Frewsburg, New York, competes in saddle bronc riding Friday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry, N.Y.
Times Observer photo by Tim Frank Tim Murphy of Pelzer, South Carolina, competes in bareback bronc riding Friday at the Gerry Rodeo in Gerry, N.Y.
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Editor's note: Results in this article reference Thursday's results from the Gerry Rodeo. Friday night's action will be recapped in Monday's edition.
GERRY, N.Y. -- The weatherman predicted thunderstorms, but he was wrong as 2,500 fans turned out to watch exciting professional rodeo action under warm, clear skies for the second performance of the Gerry Fire Department's 81st annual rodeo on Thursday. The four-day event includes more than 200 professional cowboys and cowgirls competing for $50,000 in prize money.
The night's activities began as announcer Greg Simas introduced a special tribute to 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 three cowboys making successful rides. Tim Murphy from South Carolina topped the group with a 79-point score on a bronc named Timber. He was followed with a 77-point score by Matthew Smith and Lane Evans with 68 points on his bronc.
The steer wrestlers had a very tough night as only four of the nine cowboys were able to wrestle their steer to the ground. A New York cowboy, Ty Pitman, thrilled the crowd with an outstanding time of 6.1 seconds, while second-place wrestler, Jene Stoltzfus from Maryland threw his steer in 9.6 seconds.
The humidity may have affected the ropes of the team ropers as only four teams of the 10 were able to successfully rope the horns and hind legs of their steer. The team of Wyatt Long and Dawson Mitchell, both from Delaware, posted one of the fastest times ever in the arena at 5.9 seconds. Second place went to the team from Maryland and Virginia, Matthew Foster and Colten Dillon, who were far behind at 17.4 seconds.
The cowgirls competing in the breakaway roping event also seemed to have trouble with their ropes as only four of the 10 were successful in roping their calf. However, Gabby Graham, the daughter of the rodeo contractors Shawn and Shana Graham, may have set an arena record with a time of 2.7 seconds. Next closest was a New York girl Emily Fabian with a time of 3.2 seconds.
Nine saddle bronc riders made successful rides on their mounts with Colt Bass of Statesville, North Carolina, the only rider to post a score in the 80s as he scored 83 on Teepee Feathers. Five riders scored in the 70s with Tyler Wall topping that group with a score of 79 points.
The tie-down ropers had a rough time as only three were successful in roping and tying their calf. Zack Milbourne from Maryland posted the top time at 14.5 seconds edging a Canadian cowboy Scott McMahon by two-tenths of a second at 14.7 seconds.
Only two cowgirl barrel racers broke the 16-second barrier with just a half-second separating them. New Jersey's Stephanie Dyer was fastest at 15.63 while New York cowgirl Erica Edwards placed a close second at 15.96. Five girls posted times around the cloverleaf pattern barrels in times between 17 and 16 seconds.
The shutout is over as two bulls, Kodak Black and Beach Troll, lost their battle with the cowboys. Nic Jackson from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, had the first successful ride of the week with an outstanding ride of 82 points while Melvin Byler of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, scored the second successful ride at 79 points. Again, as with Wednesday 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 26, Cowboys 2. Fans will be hoping for a comeback from the cowboys over the final nights.
Funnyman Preston Braxson, who works more than 100 rodeos each year, traveled from Utah to entertain the fans with his humor and hot rod ambulance. He is a high school agriculture teacher in Louisiana and works as a rodeo clown weekends and summers, but since clowning is so much fun, he plans to make that his full-time job soon.
The rodeo continues tonight with more than 220 professional cowboys and cowgirls trying to win a piece of the more than $50,000 in prize money. The barbecue 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.
At this year's final performance, fans and all rodeo personnel are urged to wear pink as part of the "Stompin' Out Cancer" campaign. Donations will be accepted to support Roswell's search for a cure for breast cancer.
A free kids' rodeo will be held this 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. Registration is at 3 p.m. Further information is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at 716-985-4847. Tickets may be purchased from these sources or at the rodeo office or the ticket booths if not sold out.
The performances will go on rain or shine, and all profits benefit the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department in their efforts to serve and protect.