WILLMAR – The Great Frontier Bull Riding Company put on a show for the second night in a row Thursday at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar.
Top-class bull riders such as Jake Morenic, Dakota Warnken and Perry Schrock rode bulls in front of a packed audience in the open-air arena of the exhibition center.
Despite suffering a leg injury, Morenic ended up taking first place and receiving $5,400 for his efforts. Morenic is currently ranked No. 1 by the National Federation of Professional Bullriders.
During the break, a barrel race featuring locals from across Kandiyohi County entertained the crowd.
Great Frontier Bull Riding’s next stop is Friday and Saturday nights at the Mower County Fair in Austin, Minnesota.
Bull riders gather in a circle during a pre-show prayer at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.
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Bull rider Lane Kruse of Truman, Minnesota, has trouble controlling the bull Like New Again at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Kruse lasted eight seconds but was disqualified for using his non-riding hand.
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The American flag is carried through the outdoor arena during the national anthem at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
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Bull rider Jake Morenic of Mokena, Illinois, prepares his riding rope with a knife before the bull riding event at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Morenic is ranked No. 1 by the National Federation of Professional Bullriders and earned $15,007.61 as of August 5, 2024.
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The Great Frontier Bull Riding Company crew cheers on Joe Phillips of Effingham, Illinois, at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Phillips lasted eight seconds and scored 79 points during his ride on the bull Hostille.
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Thirteen-year-old Elijiaj Huntjes of Wood Lake is thrown off the bull named On the Prowl at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
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The crowd at the bull riding event at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar, Minnesota, cheers on the bull riders on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
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Jake Morenic of Mokena, Illinois, warms up the crowd after an 82.5-point ride on the bull Dew Drop at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Morenic had been limping for most of the evening due to an injury but ended up taking first place and winning $5,400.
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Wrangler official Jared Berg watches Cal Spence of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, ride the bull Macy’s Macaroni at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar, Minnesota, Thursday, August 8, 2024.
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Tina Larson of New London, Minnesota, competes in barrel racing during the intermission of the bull riding event at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Larson completed her run in 15.1 seconds.
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Tyler Pettigrew entertains the crowd by pretending to throw fake dynamite during the second half of intermission in the bull riding event at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.
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Wrangler official Jared Berg announces the scoring during intermission of the bull riding event at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
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A child gets a closer look at Perry Schrock of Attica, Michigan, as he prepares for the final bull ride of the evening at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar, Minnesota, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Schrock is ranked No. 4 in the National Federation of Professional Bullriders and has earned $10,918.36 so far in 2024.
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The crowd watches the final ride of the evening by Perry Schrock of Attica, Michigan, during the bull riding event at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar, Minnesota, on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
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Leo Pomerenke is a reporter for the West Central Tribune in Willmar. He is an intern and covers general issues related to Willmar.
You can reach him by email at [email protected] or by phone at 320-214-4341.
