The Gerry Rodeo’s stock contractor, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo of Lake Lucerne, N.Y., continues to get national attention as six of their bucking stock were chosen for the recent Dodge Ram Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida.
This rodeo is the second largest rodeo in the nation and features over $1,000,000 in prize money, with the top two cowboys and cowgirls in each of the twelve rodeo circuits across the country eligible to compete in the seven traditional rodeo events.
Shawn Graham, Painted Pony owner, says the selection of this many of his stock was a great honor, as only 50 bulls and 50 bareback broncs were chosen by the PRCA directors from the hundreds of animals nominated by their owners across the nation. Graham says to have three of his bulls chosen from the 790 nominees, as well as three horses, speaks well for the quality of his herd.
In the bull riding even on opening night, Painted Pony’s Gentleman Jack took Oklahoma cowboy Jake Gowdy for an 81 point ride and a win worth $10,000. That was followed the next night with an 86.5 ride by Parker Breding from Edgar, Mont., on Painted Pony’s famous Jack Daniels Sour Mash, bringing him $11,000 in prize money. Breding went on to take first place in the bull riding and a total of $26,000.
In the bareback event, the Graham broncs helped Tim O’Connell of Zwingle, Iowa, to the championship as he scored 82.5 on George’s Bad Cat and later scored high on Universal Media’s Momma Don’t Know to take home the $26,000 prize. O’Connell has competed in Gerry the past two years and was a qualifier to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas last year.
In addition to the $26,000 awarded to the champion of each event, the winner received a Polaris utility vehicle and a $20,000 credit toward the purchase of a new Dodge Ram Truck.
Painted Pony Championship Rodeo will again be the stock contractor for the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department’s 72nd consecutive professional rodeo, scheduled for four performances, August 3-6, at their arena five miles north of Jamestown, N.Y. More than 200 pro cowboys and cowgirls are expected to compete for $45,000 in prize money, Additional information regarding this event is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at (716) 985-4847 or 1-800-985-4847.