Don Rockwood
Special to the Sun

Commentary:

Under crystal clear skies, a capacity crowd filled the John E. McNally Arena in Kernville with anticipation and expectation. Spectators traveled as far away as Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City for the event.

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Saturday’s Rodeo started with the Grand Parade led by “The Rodeo Starlets” who entered the arena in blazing blue matching outfits that matched the blue overhead. The group consists of 10 girls and women who are a drill team that travels all over California to rodeos large and small. Their leader, Sonya, is a police officer in Bakersfield.

Next was a stirring memorial to Denny Knight and James Andreas who recently passed on. Both men were long time residents of the Kern River Valley and were also two very accomplished horsemen and cowboys. Rodeo announcer, Ted Dwyer, did an outstanding job of describing the two men, their families and their history in the area. Andreas’ son Jimmy then led his father’s riderless horse around the arena to a respectful silence. The crowd was moved by the tribute.

The first event of the day was “Mutton Bustin” and the large crowd was in for a treat. Young boys and girls are placed on the back of sheep and they try to hang on. The longest ride of the day and the Saturday winner was Austin Worley followed by Heidi Boykin and Joshua Quintal.

The Wild Horse Race was just that, wild! The winners were team Eagan with team Kapona as runners-up. Team roping, a crowd favorite, offered two-man teams that did not disappoint. The winners, Billy Kissack and Mike Christian, were the only duo with a qualifying run; they did it in a quick 13.2 seconds.

As the spectators enjoyed the perfect day, the great food at the “Chuckwagon” and the “Denny Knight Snack Bar,” the saddle broncs were being loaded into the chutes. The horses were fit, mean and ready. Being expertly conditioned by Hall of Fame Cowboy Cotton Rosser, Tony Amaral and Mikko Moreno. Brandon Byass won the event with Tony Cain runner-up.

Steer riding for the younger cowboys followed. The only qualifier and winner was Layne Selz. The next event up was “Hide Racing.” If you’ve never seen this spectacle, start making plans for next year. A “hide” is ridden by a young cowboy or cowgirl pulled as fast as possible by a horse and rider. On this particular day, the grounds were thick with mud making the ride even more challenging for riders. The event is a crowd favorite and by the end of the ride, the kids are so worn out they can barely stand. The winners were the team of Cody Myrick and Amber Davis in a blistering time of 12.9 seconds. They were followed by second place Adrian Stoneman and Jimmy Andreas, and third place to Cullen and Sonia Peery.

Up came the premier event of the day, bull riding. The crowd was on its feet and cheering for every single ride. Ty Yates won the event with a superb ride and a score of 77 points. This personable young man of 17 years of age and a resident of Bakersfield should be a force in Pro Bull Riding in the future. Also putting on a great ride and finishing second was Sam Matthews with third place going to Corey Cheatwood.

The final event on Saturday was the always entertaining barrel racing. These young women go so fast and hit the turns at such amazing angles that it defies physics. The winner, Carolyn Yount, flew over the course in a lightening quick 17.0 seconds followed by Katie Leyton with a 17.14 run and third place was taken by a flying Amy McMurtrie.

Despite weather reports of rain and snow, Sunday afternoon turned out to be another great day of sunshine for the closing day of rodeo. The first event was the “Hide Racing” and like Saturday, it was muddy, bumpy and thrilling. This go-around was won by the team of Candy and Jay Alexander followed by Tater and Jennifer Payne. Shawn Peterson had a great ride and showed the judges his fluid style and won the bull riding with a fine score of 72 points with Bobby Roberts taking second with a 70. The girls were up next in barrel racing and Sunday’s event was every bit as exciting as the day before. And again, Caarolyn Yount was victorious with a speedy time of 15.24 seconds. Runner-up Jennifer Payne turned in a blistering 15.39 to take second and Arlene Harris was third with a nice 15.65 seconds.

Junior barrel racer, Taylor Payne won her event with a very good time of 17.98. In Sunday’s team roping, Jeremy Airheart and Eric Hafenfeld took top honors followed by the teams of Cain and Hafenfeld and Jeremy Airheart and Will Larsen.