Bull riders opened up the 2022 Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday night.
More than 40 PBR Touring Pro-Division riders came in from across the country for their eight-second shot at the championship. Included on the list was New York’s Daylon Swearingen, who is ranked No. 2 in the world for the sport; Swearingen didn’t finish his first-round ride and failed to advance. World No. 12 Eli Vastbinder of North Carolina won the event with two solid rides and took home nearly $11,000 from the $38,000 purse.
Also among those in attendance opening night was rodeo clown Flint Rasmussen, a guy with his own podcast and online TV show and someone the rodeo considers a friend. He’s been performing at the rodeo for nearly a quarter century.
Country singer Mitchell Tenpenny kicked off non-rodeo entertainment this year.
The “Drunk Me” and “Truth About You” singer hit the rodeo on his way to the Stagecoach Festival next weekend.
The rodeo continues through Sunday, with PRCA Rodeo competition starting Thursday night. Still to come at the rodeo: performances from country acts Parmelee (Thursday night) and Jameson Rodgers (Friday night) and the Clovis Rodeo Parade, which runs through the streets of Old Town Clovis Saturday morning.
Ticket info and a full schedule of events can be found online at clovisrodeo.com.
Silvano Alves rides Cake Pop in the first section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Bull Cake Pop nearly lands on top of rider Silvano Alves in the first section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Josh Frost tries to pull his stuck hand off the rope after riding Majestic Blues in the first section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Dustin Martinez jumps off of his bull Neon Prince after his ride in the second section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Keyshawn Whitehorse rides Red Hawk in the first section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Jesse Petri, left, is congratulated after his ride on Gin n’ Sin in the second section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Brady Oleson rides Lap Dance in the first section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Gage Gay rides Rock Salt & Nails in the first section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Keyshawn Whitehorse jumps onto the rail after his ride on Red Hawk in the first section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Dakota Warnken is thrown from his bull Diablo in the second section of bull riding during the Professional Bull Riders event on the opening day of the Clovis Rodeo on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published April 20, 2022 at 9:44 PM.
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Joshua Tehee covers breaking news for The Fresno Bee, writing on a wide range of topics from police, politics and weather, to arts and entertainment in the Central Valley.
