One of the most popular events at each year's Logan County Fair is the Rodeo featuring bull riding and barrel racing. This year was no different as the grandstands were packed full Thursday to watch young men and women ride livestock for fun and profit.
Celina-based M&M Rodeo put on the event which featured 47 bull riders and 20 barrel racers. Bulls used in the event are bred for their aggressiveness. Those which competed Thursday met expectations as cowboys were thrown right and left while attempting to stay aboard for a mere eight seconds. Eight seconds may not sound like much, but is close to an eternity while sitting on a whirling, 1,800-lb bull.
The SEBRA bull riding event was won by Keith Ulrey of Meadville, PA, who was able to stay atop a bull named Randy for the full eight seconds and earn the top score of 83 points. Sidney Barber of Okeechobee, FL placed second with 82 points while riding Slip-N-Slide. Deleware's Dylan Thomas was third with 77 points while riding Strung Out while Brad Boyer (pictured above left riding Jam Up) scored 76 points.
In the novice division, Muncie, IN native Greg Swogger won with 68 points. Troy's Brandon Hill was second with 67 points, West Mansfield's Josh Roy took home third with 65 points, and Matt Miller of Loudonville was fourth with 64 points.
The SEBRA barrels was won by Urbana's Teresa Quay with a blistering time of 13.75 seconds. Becky Dixon of East Liberty was a close second with a time of 14.11 seconds and Ester Miller of Sugarcreek placed third with a time of 14.14 second.
Pictured at right is Michele Pozzi of Oregonia making a quick turn during the barrel racing event. Competitors are docked five seconds for each barrel that is knocked over while negotiating the course.
