With the rodeo, our 2026 Friday Night Ranch Sorting/Cattle Penning series comes to a close. During the Rodeo Qualifiers the Top 12 point earners for the open and youth competitors, along with Rookie of the Year were recognized with awards.

 Series High Point: Darren Roberts

 Rookie of the Year: Larry Herlan

 Perfect Attendance:  Maci Manicki

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of the

riders.  In return we ask that you support these business as you are able.

 Top Hand Sponsorship

  - Batavia Garage Door/Mitchell Kolb, Batavia NY

  - BLACK WATER Tavern & Tap, Alden NY

  - anonymous donor

 Ranch Hand Sponsorship

  - Shaw Farm Productions/Beth Shaw, Conesus, NY

  - Circle C Arena/Jeff & Donna Carnes, Hornell, NY

  - Roberts Arena/Darren Roberts, Kent, NY

  - High Hill Equine LLC/Brooke Keicher

  - Lakewood Veterinary Service/Jeffrey Tingue, DVM, Rushford, NY

A Special Thank you to Beth Shaw and Brooke Keicher for coordinating the sponsorship campaign and awards ceremony.

Lastly, we would like to say Thank you to Alfred Vaughn for giving atleast 15 years commitment as committee chairman and/or director. Anyone one who knows and has been in this position, it can be difficult trying to keep all involved happy, but he did his best.  Alfie has also been a penning competitor in the Attica Arena for over 25 years. 

History - Cattle penning at the Attica Rodeo Grounds was started back in the mid-1980s when a group of Attica Rodeo & Show Assoc. members, family, and friends wanted to get together for a fun Friday night with their horses.  This event was some what new to the area.  At first, the rodeo club owned and cared for a small herd of cattle. When the cattle took too many trips into the Village of Attica, it was decided to lease cattle and have them hauled in every week.  Over the years, we have used cattle from Circle C Arena, Hoss's Ridge (over 30 yrs), and Sam & Colton Swearingen.

Once the Friday night cattle penning teams became more confident in their skills, the membership decided to include this event in the rodeo to give a local flair and excitement for the crowd. 

Over the years, the event has grown, riders have come and gone.  I believe, Jeff Carnes and Gary Baldwin were part of the original competitors and they are still completing each year for a chance to ride in the rodeo.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our Friday night series all these years.  Many friends have been made.  Many have grown in competition experiences to include competing at a regional and national level to include Lauren Berner, Derek Partridge, Beth Shaw, JR Attea, and Darren Roberts to name a few. 

We wish you success the balance of your 2026 season no matter where it takes you.