GERRY - The second of four performances of the Gerry Fire Department's 68th annual PRCA rodeo saw 80 cowboys and cowgirls compete in the seven traditional rodeo events, hoping to take home some of the $35,000 prize money to be awarded at the end of the week's competition.
The two bronc riding events saw the Painted Pony Rodeo's horses put on quite a show as there were no qualified rides in the bareback, leaving Tyler Waltz, of Martin, Tenn., as the leader based on his 156 points in two rides on opening night.
The cowboys in the saddle bronc competition had better luck there as were three rides over 70 points, with an Iowa cowboy, Jordan Corrigan, posting the top score of the week with a 74-point ride, despite competing with an injured leg that made it very difficult for him to even walk from the arena.
Article Photos
Above, Cody Wacey from San Angelo, Texas, hangs on during the bareback competition at the Gerry Rodeo on Thursday night. At right, Cody Rud from Greenfield, Wis., competes in saddlebronc riding. See additional photos at cu.post-journal.com.
P-J photos by Lisa Monacelli
The tie-down roping competition saw two times under eight seconds for the first time in 20 years on opening night. However, Thomas Linton, a New York cowboy from Hudson Falls was consistent in this second performance, tying his two calves in 8.8 and 9.8 seconds to take over first place in the combined totals.
The 14 steer wrestlers were on top of their game as they posted five times under six seconds with Chad Stoltfus of Rising Sun, Md, throwing his steer to the arena floor in the fastest time of 4.7 seconds to go with his previous 5.1, giving him first place overall at 9.8 seconds.
Two Pennsylvania ropers, David Ballantyne from Elverson and T.R. Serio from Kennett Square, were the only team of out of 10 to post qualified times on both of their steers, tying both head and hind feet in 7.6 and 16.4 seconds to take over first place after two nights. Even though the team of Norman Naylor and his son, Tim, who hail from Mercersburg, Pa., and Hancock, Md., had no qualified times, the fans were impressed as Norman is still competing in rodeo at age 70.
A 19-year-old cowgirl, Taylor Young from Carlisle, Pa., took over first place in the barrel racing competition, posting a time of 15.51, the fastest among the 24 girls who have competed this week. The time is even more remarkable considering that she had a serious accident on her horse two weeks ago and spent three days in the hospital.
The Painted Pony bulls have come out of the chute gates angry as there have only been two successful rides among the 22 bulls out in two nights, one each night, and both for 80 points. Thursday's outstanding ride was by Scott Sellers, Crumpton, Md., who had been out of the sport of bull riding for three years after breaking his neck
The rodeo continues tonight and Saturday night at 8 p.m. In addition to the seven rodeo events, fans will see rodeo clown Mike "Scooter" Smith perform with his llama Cisco and see his miniature Paint stallion jump through a flaming hoop and will be entertained by his comic antics. Trick rider Gena Cox, on of the nation's best, will make a special appearance on Saturday night.
There are also 20 vendor booths featuring everything from cotton candy and fried dough and taffy to Western wear.
Barbecue dinners will be served at 5 p.m. days.
Additional information is available on line at www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at 985-4847.