Levi Hendrickson wins first PRCA rodeo event

MISSOULA — Levi Hendrickson, 18, of Arlee won his first PRCA bull riding event last Thursday at the Western Montana Fair in Missoula but didn't find out the good news until Friday when he was on the road to Ranger, TX where he is attending college on a rodeo scholarship.

On Thursday Hendrickson got an 8-second ride and scored 82 points on the back of a bull called Rocky. This was his first time riding in the pro rodeo in Missoula, but not his first pro rodeo experience. He has ridden in eight other pro rodeos and his best finish was winning some day money, but has never placed before last week's ride, he said.

"There were some really good bull riders down there," said Hendrickson.

Hendrickson had a big fan base made up of family and friends watching him perform before heading to Texas. He also had the support of his father, R.T., before his ride, he said. His dad knows a thing or two about bull riding and was a Montana bull riding champion.

"I was really excited to ride. I had a lot of family and friends there and it was my last time in Montana for a while," Hendrickson said.

He was awarded a buckle and $1,100 in cash for his top finish, which should come in handy during his first semester of college. Hendrickson's first place finish edged out another rider who finished in the top three in the world last year at the National Finals Rodeo.

It would be easy to win a big pro rodeo in your home state and let it go to your head, but Hendrickson said he is staying cool and level-headed.

"You just have to stay level-headed with rodeo. You have to make sure to keep everything in line and do your best. If you don't stay level-headed you will get put in your place, and I don't want to be cocky," said Hendrickson.

Hendrickson will start classes today and will ride in his first college rodeo Sept. 23 in Portales, NM at Eastern New Mexico University.