Yeehaw, Ride'm Cowpokes!

At Trafton Park, it wasn't no kids' rodeo. This was where the boots, hats, and butts hit the ground...it was another rodeo put on by local rancher, Jerey McEwen, and a host of hands that made it seem to go like clockwork.

Felicia Bruckner opened the event on Saturday by singing the national anthem, followed by a prayer by the announcer. On Sunday, Sommer Green of Whitewater sang the anthem. The pickup men were Ted Brown and Reed Pankratz.

It wasn't much of a "Cowboy Christmas" at the rodeo for locals, unfortunately. If luck was supposed to show up, it got waylayed.

Local youth presented the flags, including Morgan McEwen, Maddy McEwen and Laynee Simpson of Saco. Trick riders Anna Monroe and Ella Brown entertained the crowd with their dazzling and sparkling horses. The two young ladies both know and love their horses. Their act was a crowd-pleaser.

Jerey McEwen said, "I think it went great...pretty short of attendance but we still put on a great show with great stock.

One bull rider got a little banged up, but nothing too bad.

Liz, Audie Simpson and Jim Dumas knocked out some great food, and Susan and Robert served some cold drinks."

He shared the results of the rodeo as far as local cowboys and cowgirls went: Shayne Bishop and John Graham placed 2nd in the team roping, with a time of 5.3 seconds. This sent the cowboys home with $540.74.

Tanner Anderson and Jesse Benson tied for 3rd and 4th in the team roping event, winning with 6.2 seconds, and that added $343.16 to their pockets.

In the ladies barrel racing, the only other local placing, and winning herself $223.02, was Chelsey Finkbeiner; she is the daughter of Vanae (Anderson) and the granddaughter of Tom and Loretta Anderson.

The event was family-oriented, and wee ones to old ones enjoyed another fine and impressive rodeo. Congratulations, Jerey and crew, and thank you again for providing good, wholesome entertainment.