The cowboys and cowgirls of the Badlands Circuit compete in circuit rodeos to win events. In Burke, South Dakota, one bull rider leaves more than $10,000 richer.
This week’s three Badlands Circuit rodeos concluded in Deadwood, Mitchell (Corn Palace Stampede), and Burke, South Dakota. From the rough stock end of the arena,
Thayne Elshere, the Badlands Circuit All-Around Leader, won the Burke Stampede Rodeo All-Around title. Elshere participates in bull riding and saddle bronc competitions.
The cowboy, like all bull riders save Blaine Beaty, finished third in the bronc riding competition but neglected to cover his bull. Beaty won home the whole purse of $10,178 because he made the sole eligible bull ride in Burke.
The top-ranked cowboy in the Badlands Circuit Bareback Riding, Kyle Bloomquist, prevailed in Burke, while the top-ranked cowboy, Andy Gingerich, won in Mitchell.
Two Badlands circuit cowboys, Sawyer Strand (currently ranked 10th) and Sterling Lee (ranked 22), won the steer wrestling in Mitchell and Burke, respectively.
Jacob Krammer, the champion saddle bronc rider in Mitchell, South Dakota, is currently ranked 10th in the Badlands circuit.
Austin Hurlburt is leading the field in the Badlands circuit tie-down roping. The Norfolk, Nebraska man took the lead in Mitchell and is still leading. Molly Otto, a cowgirl from the Badlands circuit, won the barrel racing in Mitchell and McKenzie Jendersee, a cowgirl from Burke.
Jendersee needs to move up to the top 12 to qualify for the year-end circuit finals. Josie Mousel won the breakaway roping in Mitchell. Mousel is currently third in the Badlands Circuit standings for the entire season. Jenna Fulton, a cowgirl from the Badlands circuit, and Sawyer Gilbert, a cowgirl from Burke, tied for the win.
Jestyn Woodward won the bull riding in Deadwood. He currently sits second in the Badlands Circuit. His win at the Days of ’76 puts him $1,172 away from leading the the circuit.
