Only rodeo in Nebraska Friday

Three to four weeks ago the Seven Valleys Rodeo Club in Callaway went out on a limb and decided to go ahead and have their Seven Valleys Rodeo in Callaway June 26 and 28 as scheduled in spite of COVID-19.

The Seven Valleys Rodeo Club was in touch with the Loup Basin Public Health Department, Custer County Sheriff, Mid-States Rodeo Association and the local EMTs to make sure everyone was on the same page when it came to following the most recent COVID-19 guidelines.

They encouraged the elderly and those with compromised health concerns to stay home but left the personal decision to be made by each individual.

I attended the rodeo Friday evening. I always enjoy covering the Seven Valleys Rodeo. It is always a goood time. I thought there was a good crowd. It was great seeing everyone out and about getting on with their lives.

Friday night, rodeo announcer Travis Schauda stated that the rodeo in Callaway Friday night was the only rodeo going on in Nebraska Friday.

Jim Johnson, President of the Seven Valleys Rodeo Club, stated that overall it was a average crowd and year. They were a little down in contestants this year. They had 310 contestants last year and 280 this year. He thinks a lot of contestants might of thought that rodeo was over for the year and put their horses out to grass. Friday night the bleachers were full with a little more room on Sunday. Overall, Johnson stated that they were pleased with how things went.

There was a lot of young local talent for the crowd to cheer on along with contestants from Kan., Okla., S.D. and Idaho.

For more photos and the results, see the Custer County Chief website at www.custercountychief.com.

Tim Conover Local cowboy Derek Kenner of Arnold, pictured above, competed in Saddle Bronc Friday night at the Seven Valleys Rodeo in Callaway. He had a great ride but fell just a fraction short of making a successful 8 second ride.

Tim Conover Local cowboy Matthew Miller of Callaway, pictured above, competed in Tie Down Roping Friday night in Callaway. He had a time of 10.1 seconds which placed him third overall earning him a check for $464.04.

Tim Conover Local cowgirl Lillian Fletcher of Arnold, pictured above, competed in Breakaway Roping Friday night in Callaway. She had a time of 2.7 seconds which placed her second overall earning her a check for $916.35.