Announcer Greg Simas, in fact, called them the world’s most-dedicated athletes as they pay their own expenses, pay an entry fee to compete, and leave with nothing unless they win.

More than 200 professional cowboys and cowgirls from more than 30 states, including as far away as Texas and Montana, and Canada entered the week’s competition which pays $50,00 in prize money. The excitement continues tonight, Friday and Saturday with all eight events being contested at 8 each evening in the arena just north of Jamestown on Route 60.

Rodeo has always placed an emphasis on patriotism and faith, and announcer Greg Simas began the evening’s festivities with the presentation of the flag and prayer, followed by the national anthem and a salute to our military members and first responders. The grand entry, with the competitors circling the arena on horseback, kicked off the evening’s competition.

The very physically demanding bareback bronc riding event began the action as six of the 11 bronc riders posted qualified rides with the oldest cowboy in the event at 36, Matthew Smith from Lake Luzerne, had the highest point ride with a 79 score. Nineteen-year-old Nate Papszycki of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania was second at 74 points.

Lavern King of Honey Brook, Pa., competes in steer wrestling. P-J photo by Tim Frank

The 10 steer wrestlers, who each paid a $100 entry fee, had little success in throwing their steers to the arena dirt as only four of the 10 cowboys posted times as the steers seemed faster than usual. Veteran Chad Stoltzfus from Conowingo, Maryland was fastest at 4.5 seconds with Cody Jones placing second at 8.7 seconds.

The team ropers, who paid an entry fee of $300 each, had a very tough night. This event in which one cowboy ropes the steer’s horns while the other ropes the steer’s hind legs had only three of the 10 teams post qualified times. T.J. Smith, a Florida cowboy, and his partner, Scott Brown from Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, were fastest with a time of 5.1 seconds. Close behind with a time of 5.4 seconds was the team of Shawn Tennant of Fairview, West Virginia and Tyler Zebrovious of Pilesgrove, New Jersey.

Ten cowgirls entered the breakaway roping event, but the humid weather seemed to affect their ropes as only one cowgirl successfully lassoed her calf. She was Nicole Davidson from Canterbury, Connecticut, who had a very fast time of 3.25 seconds.

Veteran Clovis Crane of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, topped the saddle bronc riders with a 72-point ride on his Painted Pony bronc. Joe Farren of Cottondale, Florida, had the second-best score with a 68-point ride while Kiowa Tempest of Beaver Dams, New York, was one point behind at 67.

The cowgirls barrel racing saw very close competition as nine of the 12 cowgirls posted times around the cloverleaf barrel pattern in less than 17 seconds with two of the nine beating the 16-second mark. Those two top riders were from Plymouth, Indiana. Ronda Casey was fastest at 15.33 seconds while Emily Stiles’s time was 15.96.

A longtime competitor at the Gerry Rodeo, J.R. Myers from Felton, Pennsylvania, topped the tie-down ropers as he roped and tied his calf in 13.7 seconds. Only 1.1 seconds behind him was Lavern King from Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, at 14.8.

The Painted Pony bulls evidently didn’t like the hot weather as they came out of the chutes in an angry mood, giving the fans a lot of excitement as they tossed 12 of the 15 riders to the dirt, several of them in quick and dangerous fashion. However, due to the daring action of the bull fighters, all the riders escaped serious injury and will be back to ride again. Topping the cowboys who made successful rides was Melvin Byler of Greenville, Pennsylvania, with an 80-point ride on Painted Pony’s bull Cocktail Diarrhea. Justin Goodman of Chipley, Florida, was second at 78 points, while Deklan Garland of Cape May, was close behind at 77.5.

In addition to the rodeo competition, the midway is a highlight for many featuring more than 20 vendors offering everything from Western wear to cotton candy to fried dough. It opens at 5 and remains open throughout the evening. It also offers fun for the kids with, face painting and sand art.

Saturday night is “Stompin’ Out Breast Cancer” night. Fans are asked to wear pink, and contributions will be accepted for Roswell Park for breast cancer research.

On Saturday afternoon at 4, kids ages 3-8 will have the opportunity to be cowboys and cowgirls for a time as they can participate in a free kids rodeo in the arena where they will play rodeo-related games supervised by rodeo personnel. Each kid will receive a back tag, and a belt buckle will be awarded to the best-dressed little cowboy and cowgirl. Registration begins at 3.

Parking is free with donations accepted to benefit the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department as do all proceeds from the rodeo in their efforts to respond to about 350 fire and emergency calls per year. Fans are reminded that the event is alcohol free, and like professional football, the nightly events go on rain or shine.

The rodeo continues Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. with all eight traditional rodeo events. The kitchen crew reports serving about 660 barbecue dinners on opening night and will continue to offer the dinners in the air-conditioned dining room from 5-8 each day. Presale tickets are still available online at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org and at the gates or by phone at 716-985-4847 or 1-888-985-4847.