Mission Mountain PRCA Rodeo brings pros to town

POLSON — When Polson hosts a rodeo it does it right. So it was no wonder that when the Polson Fairgrounds gave way to this year’s Mission Mountain PRCA Rodeo this past weekend, it was a success.

“We thought that the rodeo was a huge success. We had great attendance and the weather was perfect. We had a good turnout and great competitors,” Polson Fairgrounds Inc. secretary Una Rose Graham said.

She estimated the attendance to be higher than the year before, with the grandstands almost packed tight, plenty of people coming by to see what the pros can do with a rope in their hand or a bucking bronco under their saddle.

Without the support of sponsors and fans coming to pay $10 a day (children $5), the rodeo never could have happened, Graham said, adding that the cost of putting on the event totaled about $45,000.

PFI committee chairman Brian Jones echoed her appreciation in his own words.

“Quite frankly if it wasn’t for our local sponsors, we couldn’t put on the event at all. They were a crucial part of it,” he said.

He added that the rodeo appeals to those who enjoy Polson seasonally.

“By this time of year, we’re starting to have quite a few tourists, people who have second homes near Polson who come to attend the rodeo,” he said. “We’ve been getting calls in advance for the PRCA rodeo from all over, even Florida, wanting to know how to get tickets. So that works out really well.”

A few Lake County locals competed in the rodeo, with a couple placing. John Robertson has been living in Polson for a few years and partnered up with Augusta resident Cleve Fuller to take first overall in team roping. Their finish in the first go put them at second place for $223, and they finished second in the second go as well for $334. Their average time of 25.3 put them in first overall for an additional $409.

Meanwhile, St. Ignatius resident Bobbie Reeves was doing some damage in ladies’ barrel racing. Reeves finished in eighth with a time of 18.09 for a $53 reward.

Ronan’s Matt Aipperspach competed in the men’s bull riding, but didn’t place in the top two.

There were two special treats for the spectators before main events were underway. Youth Mutton Bustin’ was part one of the madness, with 3 to 6-year old cowboys and cowgirls mounting ornery sheep for the ride of a lifetime. Although that event wasn’t judged, Youth Miniature Bull Riding, the next exciting happening was. Riders ages 9-14 rode miniature bulls bred by the Miniature Bull Riding Association out of St. Ignatius.

Organization co-owner Haley O’Hern said the mini bulls provide young riders the practice they need to prepare for the real deal.

“Steers are kind of hard to hold onto so the goal with the miniatures was to get them better prepared for bigger bulls,” she said.

And the young buckers who held on the longest were rewarded just like the pros.

First place went to Alan Gobert of Browning, $250 for a ride on mini-bull Crossfire.

Ronan’s Kelan Couture took second ($187.50) and rode Crossfire as well. Polson’s Payton Fitzpatrick and Bonner rider Jake Curtis split third place. Curtis rode Buffalo Phil and Fitzpatrick rode Mr. T. Both took home a $93.75 purse.

Results:

Bareback - 1. Dale Stoller, Great Falls, on 58 Lets Play, $1,026; 2. John Collins, Buffalo, Wyo., 78, $769; 3/4 (tie) Buck Lunak, Cut Bank, and Randy VandenBos, Valier, 76, $384.

Steer wrestling - 1. Ken Holland, Dillon, 5.0, $570; 2. Jay Cochran, Shepherd, 6.5, $427; 3. Danny Bray, Canby, Ore., 8.1, $285; 4. Mark Radue, Belgrade, 9.6, $142.

Tie-down roping - 1. Chance Bernall, Dillon, 12.9, $570; 2. Tim Garrison, Divide, 14.4, $427; 3. Bill Boyce, Lewistown, 15.2, $285; 4. Kory Mytty, Lolo, 17.5, $142.

Saddle bronc - 1. Tyrell James Smith, Vaughn, on E2 Powder Face, 79, $1,102;  2. Roy Matthew Johnson, Etna, Calif., 72, $826; 3. Clint Pinkerton, Shepherd, 70, $551; 4. Blaze Hamaker, Centennial, Wyo., 66, $275.

Team roping (first go) - 1. Brant Davis, Sand Coulee-Kory Mytty, Lolo, 12.5, $297; 2. Cleve Fuller, Augusta-John Robertson, Polson, 13.0, $223; 3. Dillon Lufkin, Lemhi, Idaho-Carl Lufkin, Leonhi, Idaho, 13.5, $148; 4. Shawn Little, Essex-Jimmy Cole, Harlem, 15.2, $74.

Team roping (second go) - 1. Shawn Little-Jimmy Cole, 10.3, $409; 2. Cleve Fuller-John Robertson, 12.3, $334.

Team roping (average) - 1. Cleve Fuller-John Robertson, 25.3, $409; 2. Shawn Little-Jimmy Cole, 25.5, $334.

Barrel racing - 1. Theresa Walter, Billings, 17.73, $615; 2, Twyla Vaira, Scobey, 17.91, $534; 3. Morgan Knudson, Great Falls, 17.95, $454; 4. Lindsey Knaff, Winston, 17.97, $374; 5. Chloe Hoovestal, Helena, 17.98, $294; 6. Maddie Matelli, Kalispell, 18.02, $213; 7. Kathy Grimes, Evans, Wash., 18.03, $133; 8. Bobbie Reeves, St. Ignatius, 18.09, $53.

Bull riding - 1. Jake Kearns, 76,  on 127 The Herf, $1,069; 2. Cole Burman, 72, $810.