ARCOLA - The annual Arcola Rodeo did not disappoint, as there was record attendance for the event Aug. 12.
After a full day of qualifying, the rodeo began at 6:30 p.m. and provided the large crowd with over three hours of high-quality entertainment.
The rodeo site was expanded and additional bleachers were added, as was a big screen TV. There wasn’t a seat available and many in attendance had to sit on the ground. Chris Nidesh is president of the Arcola Rodeo Committee.
“We had an incredible day,” said Nidesh. “Attendance exceeded 2,500 and a substantial profit was made. We have a small but very hard-working committee of local volunteers that did a fantastic job.”
The event began with bareback and novice bareback riding. Local bareback cowboy Justin Carrier was the champion. Saddle and novice saddle bronc riding was followed by team roping. Winning the team roping event was Ty Patton and Bart Spencer. Rodney Cutler and Chad George placed second.
After the junior steer riding event and a short intermission, mutton busting took place. Several young cowboys and cowgirls attempted to ride sheep. Ella Rae Cugnet was declared the winner.
Women’s barrel racing followed with 10 women vying for the $1,000 prize. Local cowgirl Brittany Hodgson of Manor, who has participated in all five rodeos, was declared the champion. Riding her horse Moony, she defeated Chloe Woods by only .01 of a second.
The novice bull riding competition was won by young local area cowboy Caden Piper of Stoughton. This gruelling event was followed by the wild pony race. The all-female team of Teleah Wyatt, Mya Gilland and Marosol Gilland won the discipline.
The wild horse race saw teams of three having to combine their efforts and have someone mount and ride a horse within the allotted three-minute time. The team of Harley Anton, Jody Anderson and Will Foster was declared the winner, dethroning last year’s champions of Lucas Hislop, Hayden Cutler and Justin Carrier.
The final rodeo event of the evening was the bull riding. Trinity Bear of Whitewood and Garret Harrigan of Maple Creek shared the first-place prize.
At the conclusion of the rodeo, the big tent played host to two bands, the Johner Brothers and their sons, the Johner Boys. The cabaret was well attended with the bands playing well into the wee hours.
“Everything went smoothly and the committee wishes to thank all our sponsors and the people that attended. It was simply a great day. We are already planning for 2023,” said Nidesh.
