Rodeo is back in a big way for the 76th annual Gerry Fire Department’s PRCA rodeo as a capacity crowd was treated to non-stop rodeo action from outstanding four-legged stock and talented rodeo athletes from across the nation. Adding to the rodeo experience, for the first time in Gerry, was the addition of a large video replay board, featuring three cameras which gives the fans a second look at the action, and also makes it possible for fans around the world to see action in Gerry via the Cowboy Channel app.
The rodeo action kicked off with the bareback event where the Southeast Circuit champion Tanner Phipps of Dalton, Georgia, rode the bronc Spots and Dots for 82 points to take the lead over Zach Phillips, who hails from Rozet, Wyoming, and Mathew Smith of Saraland, Alabama, who tied for second with 77 points.
Painted Pony Rodeo’s steers made it tough on the cowboys as only three were able post times in wrestling their steers to the ground with Cord Spradley, Hoboken, posting a very fast time of 7.3 seconds, followed by Olin Ellsworth, Warrensburg, New York, at 16.1.
In the team roping event, the team of Troy Musser, Jersy Shore, Pennsylvania and Britt Brockius, Moore Haven, Florida, who are multiple qualifiers for the National Finals Rodeo, posted the fastest time of the evening by roping the head and heels of their steer in 7.8 seconds while Jacob Rounds, Broadalbin, New York, and his partner Justin Dorsey, Newville, Pennsylvania, were only three-tenths of a second behind at 8.1. Five other teams posted times under15 seconds.
Three cowboys had successful trips on their saddle broncs with Kirk Nelson, Branson, Missouri, taking the top spot on Mohegan Sun, while Bryon Gilliland, Trempealeau, Wisconsin, got a re-ride because his original mount did not buck well, and he got second place on the evening on a horse named Archie.
In the new event in Gerry, cowgirls’ breakaway roping, there were only two successful lady ropers with Sierra Ellsworth, Hudson Falls, New York, posting an excellent time of 3.7 seconds, followed closely by Hannah Kennedy of Greenfield Center, New York, at 5.3.
Nineteen-year-old Zach Kilgus, from Watsontown, Pennsylvania, who leads the All-around standing in the First Frontier Circuit, showed the way in the tie-down event by roping and tying the legs of his calf in very fast 8.9 seconds. Charlie Goerlach, Greenfield Center, New York, was second in 12.7 seconds, followed by five other successful ropers.
The hard work by the grounds crew from the fire department paid off for the cowgirls’ barrel racing as seven ladies posted times under 16 seconds in circling the cloverleaf barrel pattern, with only nine-tenths of a second separating the top three. Beth Ann Borowy Glenn Mills, Pennsylvania, was first with a 14.89 run followed by Robin Weaver, Mahaffey, Pennsylvania, at 14.95, and Wendy Chesnut, Poultney, Vermont, at 14.99.
Unfortunately, the Painted Pony bulls were in an angry mood as they pitched a shutout over the cowboys which resulted in injuries to three of the riders. Bullfighter Phill Hussmann disregarded his own safety in protecting the rides from further damage.
Rodeo Hall of Fame bound Keith Isley, one of the all-time great rodeo funnymen and horse trainers, kept the crowd entertained with his humor and amazed themwith his newly trained horse, who is appearing in only its fourth rodeo. Isley says this horse does tricks that no horse should be able to do.
Head chef Bruce Gustafson reports that he and his crew served nearly 800 dinners. Those dinners will continue each evening through Saturday from 5:00 to 8:00. The Midway will also open at those times and remain open for a time following the show.
The rodeo continues tonight as well as Friday and Saturday at 8:00 with more than 240 cowboys and cowgirls from 35 states competing for $50,000 in prize money. Additional information is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at (716) 985-4847 or 1-888-985-4847.