McKernan, Hamann, and Hanson Win WVRA 2017 Season

Rain and mud didn’t stop the Whetstone Valley Rodeo Association’s final team penning event of the season Saturday, September 23. Calvin Thompson, Steve Hamann, and Louie Minder captured first place out of 23 teams. Marsha Wieting, Steven Hills, and Mike McKernan took second place. Cheryl Kelly, Jenni Bussard, and Casey Yamaura finished third.

Year-end high point prizes were also awarded. Topping the field for the 2017 season were: Mike McKernan, 435 points; Steve Hamann, 430 points, and Brad Hanson, 384 points. McKernan won a saddle; Hamann a belt buckle; and Hanson, a jacket.

The last competition of each season is the buckle run. Riders who have participated in at least three pennings during the season are eligible. Each team rode twice, with the top four teams riding in the final round. All times were totaled. This year’s buckle winners were Brad Hanson, David Hardie,  Jenni Bussard, and Randy Schuchard. They won by .7 seconds and edged out the second place team of Mike McKernan, Milt Stengel, and Cody Minder.