The Gerry Volunteer Fire Department’s annual pro rodeo has been named as the “Cowboys’ Favorite Rodeo” for the 2016 rodeo season during the recent First Frontier Circuit Championships in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The award was voted on by the contestants as they registered for the three day competition.
The First Frontier Circuit is one of twelve PRCA rodeo circuits across the nation and encompasses the area of the original thirteen colonies. Of the 45 rodeos held in this circuit in 2016, Gerry received the most votes. Rodeo chairman Tom Atwell, says, “We must be doing something right, and this award speaks to the dedication of our department and all of our volunteers and sponsors, as well as our stock contactor, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo”.
In addition, Painted Pony received three awards at the Harrisburg event as both their bareback bronc George’s Bad Cat and their saddle bronc #70 Shasta were voted “Horse of the Year” for the First Frontier Circuit. Then to top off the week, their famous bull Jack Daniel’s Sour Mash captured “Bull of the Year” honors.
This summer’s rodeo in Gerry is scheduled for four performances, Wednesday through Saturday, August 2 - 5, with approximately 200 cowboys and cowgirls competing for $45,000 in prize money. The stock contractor will again be Painted Pony Rodeo of Lake Luzerne.
This is the 73rd consecutive year for this event, making it the longest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi. All proceeds go to the Volunteer Fire Department which answers approximately 350 fire and rescue calls each year.
Additional information may be found at the rodeo website: www.gerryrodeo.org.
Photo: From left - Shana Graham, Painted Pony Rodeo’s co-owner, Allie Hall, rodeo advertising chair, Shawn Graham, Painted Pony co-owner, and Dave Hall, assistant rodeo chairman, display the award given to the Gerry rodeo committee as the “Cowboys Favorite Rodeo” in the First Frontier Rodeo Circuit.