Extreme Bull Featured At Columbia County Fair Rodeo

When most people read the words “blue canyon” they imagine a placid scene – maybe a green valley surrounded by craggy mountains underneath a perfectly blue sky dotted with clouds.  But come September 3, for those who attend the rodeo at the Columbia County Fair, those images will change dramatically.
Blue Canyon is the name of a 1,500 pound bucking bull that will be competing in the Painted Pony Rodeo.  At last winter’s Extreme Bull Competition in Okeechobee, Florida, he ranked near the top of his class, throwing riders at least 25% of the time and taking not much more than 4 seconds on average to get it done.
Bull riding is just one of the competitions that the rodeo will showcase on Monday, September 3, beginning at 4 pm.  There will be bucking broncs, calf roping, team roping and barrel racing, too. Riders from all over the Northeast come to compete. Between 80 and 100 are expected this year, with the winners moving up the list towards competition in the national finals.  One cowboy who is sure to be on the roster at the Fair is Carmine Nastri from Ballston Spa.  He is a 25 time circuit champion and 10 time champ in the American Professional Rodeo.
See another great performance when country singer and American Idol finalist Bucky Covington takes the Mainstage on Friday, August 31, at 8 pm.  The North Carolinian’s first album, “Bucky Covington,” debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Album number two, “I’m Alright,” proved his diversity as a country singer.
For locations and a complete schedule of events, go to www.columbiafair.com. The fairgrounds are located on Route 66 in Chatham – GPS 142 Hudson Avenue. The phone number is 518-392-2121.