A standing room only crowd filled the rodeo arena for the third performance of the 78th annual Gerry Volunteer Fire Department’s PRCA rodeo and were treated to some of the best action of the week. Following prayer and the National Anthem, announcer Greg Simas had a surprise for the fans as he introduced eight-time World Champion tie-down roper and Hall of Famer Joe Beaver, who would later team up with another roper in the team roping event to give the crowd a chance to see a World Champion in action.
Beaver and his partner Levi Pettigrew from Oklahoma didn’t win that event but worked together well enough to rope their steer’s horns and hind legs in 6.4 seconds which was good enough for second place. Troop Miller, Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, and Cody Jones, Pine Grove, New Jersey, won the event with a very fast time of 5.1 seconds.
For the second night in a row Brayze Schill, West Columbia, Texas, posted the best time in the bareback bronc event with a score of 82 points, the highest scoring ride of the week. Second place went to Jason Wilson Bennington, Vermont, with a 77-point ride.
Again, the steer wrestlers had a tough night as only four of the 10 entrants were successful in throwing their steers to the arena dirt, The best time went to Troop Miller, Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, at 5.1 seconds. Chad Stoltzfus, Conowingo, Maryland, placed second at 10.3.
Clint Franks traveled 2000 miles from his home in Clarendon, Texas, to post the highest score of the week in the saddle bronc event – an 81-point ride. A Tennessee cowboy, Rudy Troyer, was second with 78 points. Overall, the saddle bronc riders had a good night as seven of the ten had successful rides.
The cowgirls in the breakaway roping event had another tough night with only three ladies posting times. Tracey Brennan, Ashburnham, Massachusetts, roped her calf in 4.2 seconds, followed closely by Pepper Cronk, Amsterdam, New York at 5.6.
The tie-down roping was very closely contested with seven of the 10 cowboys successfully roping and tying the legs of their calves. The fastest time went to Travis Staley, Weatherford, Texas, at 9.8 seconds. Andrew Forrer, Wooster, Ohio, was runner-up at 11.5 with Ned Kilgus, Watsontown, Pennsylvania, taking third 12.8.
The cowgirls’ barrel racing saw another very fast time as Jenna Beaver traveled from Huntsville, Texas, to become the only rider to circle the cloverleaf-pattern barrels in under 15 seconds this week, posting a time of 14.94 seconds. From there the competition was very close as seven girls had times ranging from 15.07 to 15.80.
The Painted Pony Rodeo bulls were on their game again tonight aa 11 of the 13 cowboys bit the arena dust, making the score for the week Bulls 42, Cowboys 5. Maikon Colixto Rocha from Orindivva, Brazil, made an outstanding ride with the highest score of the week riding his bull for 83 points. The only other score for the night was 44 points by Nate Bayous, Woodstown, New Jersey. Even though his score
was low, it was good for second place.
The final performance of this 78th rodeo will kick off at 8 pm tonight as the more than 200 cowboys and cowgirls who have traveled to Gerry from across the nation will try again to take home some of the $50,000 prize money. The barbeque beef dinners will be served from 5-8 with Chef Kyle VanAkin reporting that almost 625 dinners were served prior to this performance. The Midway will also be open prior to rodeo action.
The special free kids’ rodeo, ages 3-8, will begin at 4:00 in the rodeo arena with registration at 3:00. Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed little cowboy and cowgirl.
Additional information is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at (716) 985-4847 or 1-888-985-4847.