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    Two bull fighters at one point risked their lives to help a cowboy in a predicament – his hand was still stuck in the rigging after he was bucked off a bull. He survived without injury thanks to the help of the two bull fighters (Billy Hammett (left) and Anthony Hawkins).
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    Bull fighter Anthony Hopkins helped distract a bull away from a fallen bull rider, giving the rider time to escape danger.
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    Bull fighter Billy Hammett escaped serious injury from this bull charging him after it threw its rider, thanks to protective gear under his clothes and a bit of luck.
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    This rider threw a good loop around the calf’s head in the timed breakaway roping competition.
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    With his well-trained horse slamming on the brakes, this cowboy leapt from his saddle while competing in calf roping (a timed race to first rope the calf , throw it to the ground and tie up its legs).
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    This rider and horse were catching some serious air in the saddle bronc riding event.
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    Saddle bronc riding often includes losing one’s hat.
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    Shannon Smith, of Fortuna, led the Empty Saddle horse in tribute for her grandfather Roy Curless.
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    Steer wrestling involves leaping from a running horse and grabbing a running cow by the horns and then applying a wrestling move to twist it to the ground.
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    Barrel racing involves a skilled, athletic rider letting a well-trained, fast horse fly in sharp turns around three distant barrels in a timed race.
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    This young cowgirl took advantage of a good viewing location near the team roping action.
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    Lexie Avelar, of Ferndale, braided her horse’s mane to add to the day’s rodeo celebrations.
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    Champion belt buckles were everywhere at the rodeo, including this one on Ferndale cowboy Ethan Gomes’ belt.
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    Lots of food and beer vendors were kept busy attending to the large crowd of attendees.
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    More than few tears resulted after falls to the dirt in the mutton busting event, but this young cowgirl was quickly comforted by family and a video review of her ride.
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    Several mutton-busting riders chose to use this creative riding strategy.
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    Emma Bruhnke (right) and Colton Caudill, of Fortuna, watch their younger cowgirl daughter going for her first mutton-busting ride.
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    Emma Bruhnke (right, of Fortuna) greeted her younger daughter after her first-ever mutton-busting ride.
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    Mutton-busting champion rider Cruz McMahon stuck to his sheep without a fall for the required 8 seconds to record the highest score in the event.
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    Mutton-busting rider Cruz McMahon stuck to his sheep without a fall for the required eight seconds to record the highest score in the event and won this buckle.
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    Steer riding for the required 8 seconds proved to be a challenge for all but one of the young riders, thanks to the very lively steers on this day.
  • fortunarodeo23-23-6236ca9df571911c
    Steer riding for the required 8 seconds proved to be a challenge for all but one of the young riders, thanks to the very lively steers on this day.
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    Bull fighters Anthony Hawkins (left of Petaluma) and Billy Hammett had a relaxed moment while helping with the steer-riding competition.
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    Kaden Mangrum was the Jr Steer Riding Champion and the only rider to complete the required eight seconds atop a bucking steer and picked up his buckle afterwards from Fortuna Police Chief Casey Day.
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    Rodeo clown Dalton Morris ended his special entertainment segments at the rodeo with a trick-roping demonstration.
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    Rodeo clown Dalton Morris ended his special entertainment segments at the rodeo with a “Don’t try this at home” warning and a flaming trick-roping demonstration.
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    Rodeo clown Dalton Morris wrapped up his flaming trick-roping demonstration as twilight gathered near the end of the rodeo.
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    This Mardi Gras carnival attractions was one of several lining Rohnert Park during the week-long Fortuna Rodeo.