PHOTO AND VIDEOS: MAKELINE PRODUCTIONS | GEORGE VEATER VIA INSTAGRAM
As a benefit for the Fresno State University rodeo team, saddle bronc rider George Veater hosted an impromptu bronc riding invitational this past weekend on his ranch in Coarsegold, California, and the $20,000 added attracted some big names.
Among them were the likes of Shorty Garrett, Colt Gordon, Wade Sundell, Rusty Wright, and Logan and Dawson Hay — sons of world champion Rod Hay, who helped organize the event.
Flying U Rodeo’s Reno Rosser and Rockin M Rodeo’s Chuck Morris supplied the horses and 15 professional cowboys showed up to compete for a sold-out crowd (around 400 people total).
Following the 1 header long round, the top four advanced to finals, and in the end the great Wade Sundell walked away with the win — and a check for $8,600.
“It was probably one of the neatest little bronc matches,” Sundell said. “They just kind of threw it together in a three-week period of time, and oh man, my hat’s off to them because it was a very good deal. I got to get on some good horses and make a heck of a payday.”
“We knew it’d be special, but it just turned out being even more special,” said Veater. “The horses were outstanding, the bronc rides were good, and just the camaraderie ... It was kind of a celebration of our way of life, the rodeo and cowboy way of life, and our community. ... It was a celebration feeling the whole day.”
Watch more of the rides from this weekend on Veater’s Facebook or Instagram.