PALMETTO, Fla. – The grandstands at the Manatee County Fairgrounds were full, and the arena delivered the kind of rodeo the crowd came for. The PRCA-sanctioned Manatee Pro Rodeo ran Oct. 23-24 with $21,837 in added money. Spectators filled the stands both nights, families and rodeo regulars alike, and the noise level held from the opening ceremonies to the last run. The event marks the return of PRCA competition to Manatee County after about 20 years.

The stock was great, and it set the tone. The bucking horses and bulls were tough, and the timed-event cattle ran hard. Between events, the entertainment kept the crowd involved, with no dead time.

The bulls won the weekend. No bull rider made a qualified ride, and in saddle bronc riding only three cowboys made it to the whistle. Red Nixon took the saddle bronc title with an 83-point ride on Big Water Pro Rodeo’s Spanish Angel, worth $865. Tyler Pruitt was second at 78 points ($649), and Zac Bourgeois third at 76 ($432).

The timed events had the closest finishes. In barrel racing, Amie Tyre won with a 15.15-second run and $886, just one-hundredth of a second ahead of Kristin Hanchey (15.16, $771). Alex Jones (15.41, $655), Emilee Carlisle (15.44, $540) and Savannah Shumpert (15.54, $424) rounded out the top five. Bobbie Alcazar (15.57, $308), Kali Holt (15.59, $193) and Kathleen Menard (15.60, $77) also placed.

In steer wrestling, Clayton Culligan won with a 4.6-second run ($893), with Tayelen Seabrook just behind at 4.7 ($739). Juan Alcazar Jr was third at 5.4 seconds ($585). The family team of Braxton and Brad Culpepper won the team roping at 5.3 seconds, earning $1,227 each. Two teams tied for second at 6.4 seconds and earned $909 each: Joey and Luke Denney, and Clint Keller and Morgan Jones. In tie-down roping, Zeke Norfleet won with a 9.1-second run ($913), edging Brad Hartt at 9.3 ($756).

Juan Alcazar was named the all-around cowboy, earning $585 in steer wrestling and team roping.

Full Results

All-around cowboy: Juan Alcazar, $585 (steer wrestling and team roping)

Steer wrestling: 1. Clayton Culligan, 4.6 seconds, $893; 2. Tayelen Seabrook, 4.7, $739; 3. Juan Alcazar Jr, 5.4, $585; 4. Catfish Broxson, 6.4, $431; 5. Bryce Bonadonna, 7.0, $277; 6. Dallas Robinson, 8.0, $154

Team roping: 1. Braxton Culpepper/Brad Culpepper, 5.3, $1,227 each; 2. (tie) Joey Denney/Luke Denney and Clint Keller/Morgan Jones, 6.4, $909 each; 4. Bradley Massey/Zack Mabry, 10.2, $592; 5. Wilder Andrews/Jack Andrews, 11.3, $381; 6. Keven Daniel/Parker Carbajal, 12.2, $212

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Red Nixon, 83 points on Big Water Pro Rodeo’s Spanish Angel, $865; 2. Tyler Pruitt, 78, $649; 3. Zac Bourgeois, 76, $432; no other qualified rides

Tie-down roping: 1. Zeke Norfleet, 9.1 seconds, $913; 2. Brad Hartt, 9.3, $756; 3. Colt Papy, 10.0, $598; 4. Spur Valdez, 11.0, $441; 5. James Walsh, 12.2, $283; 6. Mike Wetzel, 12.6, $157

Barrel racing: 1. Amie Tyre, 15.15 seconds, $886; 2. Kristin Hanchey, 15.16, $771; 3. Alex Jones, 15.41, $655; 4. Emilee Carlisle, 15.44, $540; 5. Savannah Shumpert, 15.54, $424; 6. Bobbie Alcazar, 15.57, $308; 7. Kali Holt, 15.59, $193; 8. Kathleen Menard, 15.60, $77

Bull riding: No qualified rides

All Photos: Alex Menendez/PRCA