The PRCA Rodeo wrapped up its qualifying events Wednesday night with First Responders Night.
Representatives from the Greeley police and fire departments and Banner Health's ambulance program were greeted to cheers from audience members in the grandstands.
Representing the Greeley Police Department was Sgt. Matthew Patella and Police Chief Adam Turk — who recently had the "interim" tag removed from his title. Battalion Chief Jason Oster and Fire Chief Brian Kuznik were on hand for the Greeley Fire Department while EMT Jacob Kennedy and Paramedic Stacey Chase proudly represented Banner Health. The Weld County Sheriff's Department rolled into the arena in its Search and Rescue MRAP with leader Sheriff Steve Reams at the helm.
Returning to her home turf, Miss Rodeo America Hailey Frederiksen carried the Colors into the arena on horseback while Gerry McFarling sang the National Anthem.
The rodeo's bareback riding featured only three contestants because a majority of cowboys scratched. The evening resulted in two rides — Shane O'Connell of Rapid City, S.D., on scoring an 85-point ride on Nutrena's Rustler and Drake Amundson of Laramie, Wyo., scoring at 70-point ride on Nutrena's Pebbles.
GREELEY, CO – JUNE 29:Cowboy Garrett Buckley, of Craig, reacts after being bucked by bronc 017 Al Capone while riding saddle bronc on day five of the PRCA ProRodeo Series during the 100th Greeley Stampede at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley June 29, 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
It was a tough night at the office for the steer wrestlers. Broken barriers, bad jumps and wily steers causing challenges for the hazers were just a few of the things that caused the event to see a lack of qualifying times.
The quickest time of the night went to Ames, Okla., cowboy Tyrel Cline at 13.9 seconds including the 10-second penalty for a broken barrier. Chism Docheff from Mead came in second with a time of 15.5 seconds. Docheff also had a 10-second penalty for a broken barrier.
In the team roping competition, Mississippi boys Marcus Theriot and Cole Curry cemented their place in the finals with a time of 6.3. The team of Hayes Smith from Central Point, Ore., and Cullen Teller from Ault would have moved on to the finals if it were not for a 5-second penalty for a one leg catch during their run. The duo walked away with a total score of 10 seconds.
Saddle bronc rider, Houston Brown of Miles City, Mont., earned the highest score of the night, an 83, on Ridge Walker. Jacob Kammerer from Phillip, S.D. came in second with a score of 81 on Nutrena's Full Deck.
Wade Brown from Norco, Calif., had an amazing ride on Goodness Gracious. Despite the horse's odd kicking pattern, Brown hung on but was disqualified for failing to abide by the mark out rule.
GREELEY, CO – JUNE 29:Cowboy Wade Brown, of Norco, California, rides saddle bronc but a penalty results in no score on day five of the PRCA ProRodeo Series during the 100th Greeley Stampede at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley June 29, 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
As tie down ropers got ready for their competition the wind in Greeley was whipping and the clouds were quickly moving in. At one point, people in the seats closest to the arena floor began to seek higher ground in the grandstands to get out of the pouring rain and blustery wind. While some folks were working to get away from the wind and rain, the sketchy weather proved to be fruitful for barrelman JW Winklepleck, who found two $20 bills that blew from the stands onto the arena floor.
The sudden weather change proved to be a challenge for the tie down ropers with Ryan Belew of La Junta earning a time of 12.6 seconds.
The wind and rain didn't deter the ladies of the break-away event. Tiffany Schieck of Floresville, Texas, was on fire with a time of 3.1 seconds followed by Morgan Kessler from Callaway, Neb., with a time of 3.8 seconds.
Tipped barrels seemed to be the theme of the night for the lady barrel racers with five contestants getting nicked with penalties for tipping over the metal drums. Cowgirl Reagan Laney from Granbury, Texas, strode away with the best time of the night at 17.14 seconds.
Wednesday's bull riding event saw the highest score of the entire qualifying series from JR Stratford, Byers, Kan., riding Dale Yeah. The Kansas cowboy scored an impressive 88.50, beating out Spencer Wright's Sunday evening performance of 85 points on Game Changer. Jace Troxclair form Chauvin, La., bagged a score of 86-points on Black Panther.
GREELEY, CO – JUNE 29:Magic in Motion trick rider Madison MacDonald performs in the pouring rain on day five of the PRCA ProRodeo Series during the 100th Greeley Stampede at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley June 29, 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
The event was paused for a bit when a bull, Mt. Everest, decided to make the pickup men and cowboy protection team earn their money by refusing to go back into the pen area. The bull charged the horses, dodged ropes and had the cowboy protection team flinging themselves over the rails despite the teams best efforts to corral the large beast. Finally after successfully roping the bull a pickup man towed the fitful animal to the holding pen behind the chutes area.
The PRCA Rodeo series is set to wrap up at 7 p.m. Thursday with the top 12 qualifiers from each event going head to head to win the 100th Greeley Stampede and secure bragging rights, prizes and money.
The 100th Greeley Stampede is set to run through Monday, July 4 with live music, a carnival, fair food, an art exhibit and more. For more information on daily events, tickets, parking and more, go to www.greeleystampede.org.
GREELEY, CO – JUNE 29:Cowboy Darnell Johnson, of Fowler, lassos the steer in tie down roping for a time of 6.7 seconds on day five of the PRCA ProRodeo Series during the 100th Greeley Stampede at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley June 29, 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
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