Photo by Griffin Peterson | Saddle Bronc Rider Cash Owens has made the rodeo his life, sometimes going to five events in one weekend.

GRANITE FALLS – As Starbuck resident Amber Sorenson rode her horse around the barrels, the crowd watched closely.

The event – where competitors ride their horse around three barrels as fast as possible – only lasts about 15 seconds. If any of the barrels are knocked down, it’s a 5-second penalty — enough to take any contender out of the running.

As Sorenson wrapped her horse around the last barrel, it tipped.

The crowd gasped as Sorenson made her final stretch toward the finish line. All eyes were on the barrel as it slowly started to tip. But before it could tip over all the way, it leaned back.

Safe.

A collective sigh of relief and cheers could be heard throughout the audience. Sorenson secured a time of 15.68 with no time penalty.

Granite Falls hosts the annual Western Fest PRCA Stampeded Rodeo this weekend. Events include anything from riding a horse without reins — in some cases without a saddle at all — roping events where cowboys try to lasso bulls to the ground, racing events and ending off the night with bull riding.

As part of the pre-show, Western Fest hosted local youth mutton busting where children as young as 4 years old get on the back of a sheep and try to stay on for eight seconds. First-place winner Odin Ryer made it look easy. At 8 years old, this would be his last year competing, and he finished it with a win.

“My favorite part is riding sheep,” He said.

This year’s Western Fest Rodeo was advertised as the biggest ever. It featured 465 total competitors from more than 30 states. A total of 100 of those competitors are members of the Professional Bull Riders, according to Holly Johnson-Partington, a member of the Western Fest Stampede Rodeo board committee.

“The big boys are coming, and they come for a reason,” Johnson-Partington said. “We do a great job feeding them supper and giving them a place to sleep every night, we really have become a family.”

For many of the competitors, the rodeo is more than an event, it’s a lifestyle. Many compete in up to five rodeos in one weekend. According to Truman saddle bronc rider Cash Owens, that’s what it takes to go to the National Rodeo Finals in Nevada.

“Tonight I didn’t have the greatest luck, but it’s switching that mindset to tomorrow when I go get on another one,” Owens said. “Don’t think about today, go beat that one up, make the 8-second whistle, and go on to the next one, and just keep that momentum carrying through the summer.”

Owens is 21 years old, married and fresh out of college. Now, he’s putting all his focus on the rodeo. His goal this year is to win rookie of the year. His wife is with him all the way.

“My wife and I travel a lot together now,” Owens said. “Our plan is to put the pedal down and haul as many rodeos as we can here in the next coming years.”

The night concluded with bull riding, According to one staff member at Western Fest, it’s what many come for.

“It’s man versus beast, so you don’t know what’s gonna happen, it’s just kind of wild,” he said.

Beast won on Thursday night. Of the 13 contestants who got on a bull that night, none of them could stay on for the time allotted eight seconds. For some, like Minnesota bull rider Wyatt Engan, it meant another opportunity to try again tomorrow.

“For me it’s the adrenaline rush,” Engan said. “That’s what keeps me going.”