Saturday was the opening night of the 62nd season at Cowtown Rodeo.
PILESGROVE TWP. -- Eric Fabian and Justin Yost were the top money-winning cowboys at Cowtown Rodeo Saturday night.
Fabian, of Schenectady, New York, and Yost, of Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, partnered for the team roping and with a first-place time of 6.8 seconds, each won prize money of $1,052.80.
The performance marked the opening of the 62nd season for the rodeo billed as the oldest weekly rodeo in the United States.
The evening, however, was tragic. Cowboy Coy Lutz, 19, died after being injured by the horse he was riding.
Contestants in the professionally sanctioned rodeo take part in seven events.
Here are the standings from Saturday night's season opener. The results include the contestant's name, score or time, and winnings:
Bareback Bronc Riding: First, Dusty Whidden, 67 score, $491.15; Aaron Keane, 63, $401.85. (Each cowboy's winnings included $133.95 in ground money.)
Saddle Bronc Riding: First, Roy Hosteller, 65 score, $506.66; Dennis Rossignol, 61, $414.54. (Each cowboy's winnings included $138.18 in ground money.)
Bull Riding: None of the 14 contestants made the required ride time. Each received ground money of $91.31. Those cowboys are Chris Casey, Tim C. Shanahan, James Will, Ronney Nobre, Robert Busa, Daniel McAllister, John Leinaweaver, Robert Mayberry, Connor Garcia, Thom Hangey, Ben-Jammin Havill, Ben Fennimore, Scott Sellers and Kade Kressman.
A tragedy on rodeo's opening night
Tie Down Roping: First, Matt McKinstry, 11.2 seconds time, $526.40; Carmine Nastri, 13.1, $394.80; Chance Hays, 14.4, $263.20; Darren Morgan, 14.6, $131.60.
Steer Wrestling: First, Bryan Tamm, 10.1 seconds time, $526.40; Ryan Whetham, 11.5, $394.80; John Leinaweaver, 12.1, $263.20; Chad Stoltzfus, 12.9, $131.60.
Team Roping: First, Eric Fabian and Justin Yost, 6.8 seconds time, $1,052.80 each; Waylon Cameron and Tim Naylor, 6.9, $789.60 each; Darren Morgan and Shawn Quinn, 7.6, $526.40 each; Mary Ann Brown and Kenny Brown, 7.8, $263.20 each.
Barrel Racing: First, Jodi Mathews, 17.40 seconds time, $691.84; (Tie for second and third) Liz Terhune and Karly Stoltzfus, both 17.43, both $556.84; Amanda Lloyd, 17.46, $421.12; Joyce Stoltzfus, 17.80, $330.88; Jessica Green, 17.91, $240.64; Heather Constantinople, 17.97, $150.40, Nicole Yost, 18.02, $60.16.
The rodeo continues every Saturday, rain or shine, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cowtown Rodeo arena on U.S. Route 40 through Sept. 24.
Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.