LOWGAP — The bleachers were packed Friday for the first evening of the Palomino Mountain Ranch’s first rodeo of the season.

The crowd witnessed numerous events, including bareback riding, calf and team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. In between events, the kids got involved with a calf scramble and mutton busting.

Palomino Mountain Ranch owner Sally Roberts’ son-in-law, Adam Bolatto, teamed up with fellow bull fighter Jake Wilcox of Athens, Ga., to keep the riders safe and the crowd in stitches. The two performed a couple comedic acts during the lulls between events to keep fans from getting antsy.

The bareback riders were competing as part of the Southern States Professional Rodeo Association. After Friday, Steve Randall of Shelby led the field with score of 73 out of 100 possible points.

In calf roping, Thomas Linton took the top spot by harnessing his animal in 10.62 seconds. David Woodward and Jared Linton were first in team roping with a finish of 6.81 seconds. In team roping, the first member of the two-man team must lasso the bulls horns, while the second member loops his rope around the legs. In barrel racing, Woody Brown placed ahead of the pack with a time of 16.07 seconds.

The rodeo continues Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. for the finals of each event.

Palomino Mountain Ranch is at 267 Cowboy Lane in Lowgap. Entrance to the rodeo from the east is the next right after the main driveway that is pillared by horse statues. For more information, call Sally Roberts at 352-4335.