Gallery 70 - Ride 'em Cowboy!

Shane Hand rode to victory with 71 points in the Saddle Bronc Riding event on Saturday afternoon.

The Rodeo rode into Belvidere, IL on September 11, 2010, bringing with it an assortment of entertainment. The Big Hat Rodeo company, teamed with the Tebala Horse Patrol, featured two performances yesterday. The light crowds in the grandstand did not diminish the grit and fortitude these men and women performed with. The evening's show was minus a few contestants due to injuries they had received during the afternoon performance.

There were several unusual things that happened during both the afternoon and evening performances. During the afternoon a runaway bronc busted through the main arena gate with his rider, Wade Phelps hanging on for dear life. Later, Phelps was later seen seeking medical care from the Paramedics stationed at the arena. Phelps was able to complete later in the show in the Bull Riding event. Saddle Bronc Rider, Shane Hand seemed to be having a tough time during the evening event. His first horse managed to drive him hard up into the guard rails and he was granted a re-ride. During Hand's re-ride the horse appeared to knock itself out when it barreled headfirst into the guard rail. Horse and rider fell to the ground and trapping Hand's left leg underneath the unconscious horse until workers could free him. Both Hand and the horse were able to walk away from the incident.

The photos featured below in the gallery are mainly from the afternoon performance of Bareback & Saddle Bronc Riding and the Tie-Down & Team Roping events. Also included is photos from Hand's evening Saddle Bronc ride.