Ridin' High
<p>The crowd-pleasing mutton bustin' event kicked off the rodeo on both nights. Here, a cowboy-in-training explodes out of the chute on Saturday.</p>
<p>A runaway bull gets funneled into the gate after shedding its rider in the ring.</p>
<p>Pickup man Sparky Dreesen had a busy weekend lassoing loose livestock.</p>
<p>Pete White of Ronan makes quick work of his calf in the tie down roping event.</p>
<p>Kylee Seifert of Polson settles in for a rough ride aboard a renegade sheep in Saturday's mutton bustin' event at last weekend's Mission Mountain Rodeo.</p>
POLSON — By anyone’s measure, last weekend’s Mission Mountain Rodeo was a rousing success.
“Attendance was definitely up [from last year],” said Una Rose Graham, secretary of the Polson Fairgrounds. Spirits were up too, based on the number of smiling faces in the crowd and in the arena.
POLSON — By anyone’s measure, last weekend’s Mission Mountain Rodeo was a rousing success.
“Attendance was definitely up [from last year],” said Una Rose Graham, secretary of the Polson Fairgrounds. Spirits were up too, based on the number of smiling faces in the crowd and in the arena.
A total of more than 4,000 rodeo fans packed the grandstands on Friday and Saturday nights, and were treated to more than just the breathtaking view of the Mission Mountains.
Over 200 contestants from all over Montana dazzled the thrill-seeking spectators with their reckless daring and skillful mastery of numerous events.
From the opening mutton bustin’ to the time the dust settled at the end of the night, local standouts abounded on both evenings.
On Friday, the tandem of Pete White of Ronan and Shawn Matt of Dixon took second place in the team roping event, snaring their runaway calf in a scant 6.7 seconds.
Performing in front of a hometown crowd, Polson’s Wyatt Lytton took sixth in calf roping and also rode alongside his father, Lee, in Friday night’s team roping exhibition.
Later in the weekend, Ty Steele of Ronan rode her way to second prize in barrel racing, while Charlo’s Abby Knight placed eighth.
For many local riders, it’s not a matter of win or lose, but rather a golden opportunity to share their passion with the community and showcase their talents in front of friends and family.
“There’s a little extra pressure, but it’s fun,” said Lee Lytton of roping in front of the home crowd.
“You want to do well for them,” Lytton said.
Reflecting on her showing in barrel racing, Knight said that, “it’s always fun to perform in front of people you know.”
Charlie Lytle of Arlee, who turned in a 64 during Saturday night’s saddle bronc ride, agreed, saying “[To do that] in front of a local crowd, there’s nothing better in my opinion.”
Even though his horse stumbled a bit out of the gate, Lytle made a nice recovery and finished strong. He only had good things to say following his run.
“I’m always happy to have a run like that,” he said, adding that an “ear-to-ear grin” best summed up his emotions.