Over $34,000 paid out at rodeo

The weekend featured loads of excitement at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds when the Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo hit town.

Cowboys and cowgirls from across the U.S. and as far away as Australia were here to compete in the two-day event with a total payout of over $34,700 in prize money.

Both nights were well attended with Saturday night being the "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night, bringing awareness to the fight against cancer.

The All-around Cowboy honors for the weekend went to Hank Hollenbeck who participated in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping.

Action each night started with bareback riding. Winners included: 1st, Chance Ames, 76 points on "Air Jordan" for a payout of $993; 2nd, Tyler Scales, 75 points for a payout of $752; 3rd (tie), Brandley Peabody, Tucker Zingg and Weston Garrett, 73 points, taking home $371 each and 6th (tie), Levi Nicholson and Heath Ford, 72 points and a payout of $75 each.

Steer wrestling winners were: 1st, Blare Romsa, 5.2 sec., $1,295 payout; 2nd, Jade Small, 6.8 seconds with a payout of $1,072; 3rd, Riley Krassin, 6.9 seconds, $848 payout; 4th, Brian Anderson, 7.4 seconds, taking home $625; 5th, Shawn Hanley, 9.4 seconds, with a $402 payout and 6th, Jaret Whitman, 9.6 seconds for $223.

In team roping, winners included: 1st, Lightning Aguillera/Allen Bach, 5.1 seconds, with a payout of $1,540 each; 2nd, Max Kuttler/Kory Mytty, 5.5 seconds, taking home $1,275; 3rd (tie), Jade Stoddard/Ike Folsom and Cody Tew/Matt Robertson, 6.4 seconds, $876 each; 5th, Casey Adams/Riley Pedro, 6.5 seconds, winning $478 each, 6th, Jason Carlson/Zachary Schweigert, 6.6 seconds, with a payout of $266 each.

Saddle bronc: 1st, Andy Clarys, 78 points on "Cowboy Casino", taking home $1,086; 2nd, Shade Etbauer, 77 points, payout of $823; 3rd, Joe Harper, 74 points, payout of $592; 4th, Josh Reynolds, 72 points, winning $395; 5th, Garrett Buckley, 69 points, paying $230; 6th, Nick LaDuke, 67 points, for $165 payout.

Tie down roping: 1st, J.D. McCuistion, 8.9 seconds, payout of $1,090; 2nd, Clay McCuistoion, 10.3 seconds, $902 payout; 3rd, Hank Hollenbeck, 10.7 seconds, payout $714; 4th, Ladd Howell, 11.0 seconds, $526 payout; 5th, E.J. Panetta, 12.0 seconds, $338 payout; 6th, Joe James, 13.1 seconds, payout of $188.

In barrel racing, winners were: 1st, Dianne Bath, 17.6 seconds, $1,020 payout; 2nd, Kaylee Burnett, 17.65 seconds, payout of $874; 3rd, DeAnn McNamee, 17.73 seconds, with a payout of $728; 4th, Kim Schulze, 17.75 seconds, taking home $631; 5th, Mandy Hamilton, 17.78 seconds, payout of $486; 6th, Darcee Shepherd, 17.80 seconds, for a $388 payout.

The weekend also included the Chuck Mead Memorial Pack Horse Scramble on Saturday afternoon.

Course obstacles included a bridge and foam forest, the log blow down and tree on the trail, a switchback and the dead end.

Teams had to first catch their three horses before packing up a foam cooler with a tin can of marbles, a bedroll, Dutch oven, six cans of food, a propane tank, 12 fresh eggs in a store carton, pots and pans, a rubber bucket, shovel and three gallons of water.

First place trophy buckles, donated by John and Sis Mead, went to John Williams and Jason Christopherson. Second place knives, donated by Kirby Creek Mule Company, were awarded to Jules and Melissa Ward. Third place winners were Dawn Boregan and Sarah Lowe.