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    The Junior Rodeo events got underway with the traditional Grand Entry just before 9 a.m. on July 17 under the usual cool morning fog – a definite climate attraction in Fortuna for many families participating who were escaping from hot weather at their homes in the Central Valley or southern Oregon.
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    Dreams were available while looking over the prize table with custom saddles awarded to the seven all-around winners from each age division (Sr. Boy, Sr. Girl, Jr. Boy, Jr. Girl, Youth Boy, Youth Girl, and Pee Wee). CSI saddle pads were awarded to the reserve all-around winner. Commemorative belt buckles were awarded to the first-place winner in each event.
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    These commemorative belt buckles were awarded to the first-place winner in each event.
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    Scott Thomas Custom Saddles were awarded to the seven all-around winners from each age division (Sr Boy, Sr Girl, Jr Boy, Jr Girl, Youth Boy, Youth Girl, and Pee Wee).
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    All contestants were required to wear a western hat or approved riding helmet, long-sleeve western shirt (with collar & cuffs) and boots while in the arena and many added additional styling to their horses.
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    Jerryn Kilby, of Fortuna, won the Senior Polebending division in an exciting race with a clean, fast run. The timed race includes 21 feet from start to the first pole and 21 feet between poles. No time for a broken pattern and a five-second penalty for each pole knocked down.
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    The first challenge in Pole Bending is a race to the far end and begin to make a quick 180-turn.
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    Many horses in the Pole Bending shied away after hitting a pole, and in this case, dumping its rider.
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    The next challenge in Pole Bending after the 180-turn at the far end is to begin “bending” between the poles.
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    It takes great skill by rider and horse in Pole Bending to dodge at high speed between the poles 21 feet apart or get a 5-second penalty for each pole knocked down.
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    It takes great skill by rider and horse in Pole Bending to dodge at high speed between the poles 21 feet apart or get a 5-second penalty for each pole knocked down.
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    Waiting her turn for the Goat Tying event, Eden Saunders, of Middleton, practiced her tying technique on her dad James.
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    Weston Bennett, of Gerber, California, patiently waited his turn in the Goat Tying event.
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    Participants in the timed Goat Tying event raced toward the tethered goat, jumped to the ground running to catch the goat, and then flipped the goat to the ground before tying three of its legs. The goat had to remain tied for six seconds for a successful run.
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    The tethered goats were not always ready to be captured by contestants in the Goat Tying event.
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    After catching the goat, the Goat Typing contestants had to flip the goat to the ground before tying three of its legs. The goat had to remain tied for six seconds for a successful run.
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    Falya Owen, of Gerber, California, showed off her first-place belt buckle for the Goat Tying junior division.
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    This rider caught some air in the Bareback Steer Riding competition.
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    Adding a saddle didn’t necessarily mean it was easier to have a successful ride in the Saddle Bronc Steer competition.
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    This Bareback Steer rider began the inevitable slip to the ground as the bull fighter distracted the steer.
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    The bull fighters provided an essential safety role as they distracted the steers and bulls to give time for the fallen riders to avoid more danger.
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    This rider and steer caught some air in the Saddle Bronc Steer competition.
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    Logan Cook, of Santa Rosa, was the only one of three participants in the Bull Riding event to successfully complete an eight-second ride.
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    In the Steer Stopping event, a contestant starts the timed run in the header box and after making a successful loop, the rider must pull the rope tight with the steer facing the horse to stop the clock.
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    This Steer Stopping event contestant threw a successful loop and then pulled the rope tight with the steer facing the horse to stop the clock. The steers wore straps on their heads to protect against rope burns and injuries.
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    Next door to the rodeo grounds in the park, the Fortuna Rodeo Carnival was running with rides and games.
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    These youngsters tried their throwing skills out at the Fortuna Rodeo Carnival.