San Dimas Kicks Off the 2009 Rodeo Season
The 2009 Rodeo Season opened officially in California on October 4th and 5th when professional cowboys and cowgirls from California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado competed at the 14th annual San Dimas Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo at the Tex Shoemaker Rodeo Arena at Horsethief Canyon Park in San Dimas. While the traditional events - bareback riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, bull riding and barrel racing - are exciting in their own right, there were quite a number of things that added a special luster to the day. For one, quite a few Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) qualifiers were competing, as well as the Growney Brothers’ WNFR Saddle Broncs Painted Feathers and South Point.
Former and current PRCA champions also attended the rodeo. Jesse Watson of San Antonio, TX, 2007 WNFR qualifier and the the 2004 PRCA Bull Riding Champion, summed up his feelings about being a rodeo cowboy saying “It's been rewarding. Even if you don't win at the National Finals, it's an honor just to qualify."
Also in attendance was Charles Sampson, the first black World Champion Bull Rider and an inductee into several rodeo halls of fame. He is also being inducted into the Western Heritage Society's National Historical Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. The difficulty in becoming a World Champion Bull Rider was demonstrated when only three cowboys made qualifying rides.
Something that most of those who came to the rodeo probably missed, but to us was one of the high points, were the preparations that go on before the competitions begin. The Growney Brothers Rodeo Company, who provided the stock for this rodeo, the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour and WNFR, turned their rough stock out for some exercise in the morning. The horses came first, running, rolling, or just taking a look around until it was time to separate them and herd them back for their event, either bareback or saddle bronc riding. If you knew your rough stock you could pick out favorite and star performers such as Painted Feathers and fellow WNFR contestant South Point. While the horses were active, the bulls, who came next, were content to mill around until it was time for them to be gathered.
In addition to the competitions there were vendors, food, and a children’s play area with a pony ride and activities for the young ones. The San Dimas rodeo is an efficiently run event that provides a full day for the whole family. They haven’t forgotten that one of the main ingredients of a day at the rodeo is fun.
Contestants in order of finish were:
| Bareback Bronc Riding: 1. Paul Jones, 83 points on Growney Brothers’ Red Headed Stepchild 2. Alex Meroshnekoff, 79 points 3. Trent Coates, 76 points 4. Dave Murdoch, 74 points |
Steer Wrestling: 1. Mike Barnes, 3.8 seconds 2. (tie) Ivan Coleman and Brock Andrus, 4.2 seconds 4. Matt Deskovick, 4.3 seconds 5. Troy Dial, 4.7 seconds 6. Josh Daries, 6.7 seconds |
Team Roping: 1. Dan Denmark/Randy Harris, 5.1 seconds 2. Waylon McCurley/Joseph Shawnego, 5.2 seconds 3. Steve Smith/Ryan White, 5.9 seconds 4. Cody Bray/Jared Hixon, 6.1 seconds 5. Mike Christensen/Josh Wineman, 6.7 seconds 6. Blake Hirdes/Blain Ketscher, 9.9 seconds |
| Saddle Bronc Riding: 1. Kurtis Koeppen, 73 points on Growney Brothers’Bay Lady 2. (tie) Ad Bugenig and Nick LaDuke, 70 points 4. Roy Johnson, 69 points |
Tie-down roping (“Calf Roping”): 1. Jesse Egan, 8.3 seconds 2. Cliff McLaughlin, 8.8 seconds 3. Kyle Lockett, 9.6 seconds 4. Culp Shirley, 10.3 seconds 5. Chad Rava, 11.5 seconds 6. Clint B. Cooper, 11.8 seconds |
Barrel Racing: 1. Kathy Bankston, 15.94 seconds 2. Rachel Myllymaki, 15.96 seconds 3. Stacy A. Dial, 15.98 seconds 4. Christina Richman, 16.03 seconds 5. Rachel Ross, 16.22 seconds 6. Shannon Jones, 16.34 |
| Bull riding: 1. Josh Daries, 78 points on Four Star Rodeo’s Simon 2. Sean Case, 77 points 3. Jake Huserik, 71 points no other qualified rides |
Total payoff: $20,711 Stock contractor: Growney Brothers Rodeo secretary: Susie Mills Officials: Rocky Steagall and Kenny Behling Timers: Diane Alexander and Sherry Sheldon Announcer: Kelly Kenney Clowns/bullfighters: Eric Layton and Tim O’Connor Barrelman: Troy Lerwill Flankmen: Tim Bridwell and Jeff Davis Chute Bosses: Bob Marriott and John Growney Pickup men: Flint Hemsted and Bob Marriott |
| Bareback Bronc Riding:
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| Team Roping
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Saddle Bronc
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Tie-down Roping:
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Barrel Racing:
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Bull Riding
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| Pickup Men & Flankmen:
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| Broncs:
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Bulls & Bull Fighters:
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General Shots:
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Dave Murdoch on Scrawney Johnny
Alex Meroshnekoff on Private Dancer
Alex Meroshnekoff on Private Dancer
Jon Fuller on Tattle Tale
Jon Fuller on Tattle Tale
Justin Spence & Jade Corkill
Edward Castro & Richard Welch
Paul Mullins & Scott R. Selland
Paul Mullins & Scott R. Selland
Cody Bray & Jared Hixon
Robert Rehmert on Lady Marmalade
Robert Rehmert on Lady Marmalade
Jeff Rianda on Scarface
Jeff Rianda on Scarface
Roy Johnson on Gobstopper
Roy Johnson on Gobstopper
Ad Bugenig on Kid Rock
Elliott French on Toll Gate
Darin Redelsperger on Blame Game
Darin Redelsperger on Blame Game
Scott Miller on Painted Feathers
Terry Pfankuchen
Chad Zgragen
Anthony Estep
Cliff McLaughlin
Cole Warren
Chad Rava
Clint Cooper
Korii Ochoa
Shane Johnston
Linda Vick
Stacy Dial
Tammy Lowe
Johnny Allan on Steady Freddy
Shane Gordon on Holy Ghost
Jake Huserick on Ranken Stein
Johnny Allan on 154/D21 reride
Bobby Waller on Buckle Up
Sean Case on Simon
Dave Murdoch on Scrawney Johnny
Lady Marmalade
Scarface
Elliott French on Toll Gate
Blame Game
Painted Feathers
Painted Feathers
Kelly Kenney
Painted Magic Drill Team
Painted Magic Drill TeamSan Dimas Rodeo 2010 Photos
Go to:
| Photos: Roughstock Bareback Bronc Riding |
Photos: Timed Events Steer Wrestling |
Photos: Businessman's Team Roping |
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