Polson hosts junior rodeo
<p>Emmit Bartel of Ronan goes full throttle in the barrel races.</p>
<p>Ally Luedtke of Ronan races around the barrels in the 7 & Under age group.</p>
<p>Ty Adams of Arlee ropes during the breakaway competition.</p>
<p>Gavin Knutson swings a lasso in preparation to rope a calf during the breakaway roping.</p>
POLSON — Lisa and Cliff Milliron’s children are grown, but they still host the Southwest Youth Rodeo Association on their land behind the Jette Store.
Last weekend’s youth rodeo hosted nearly 60 children in events ranging from dummy roping to flag racing.
“We just want to see kids stay with rodeo,” Lisa Milliron said. “It’s a family thing. It’s a community thing.”
They have been hosting the junior rodeo for seven years now.
The rodeo itself is primarily run by parents, all the way up to the timers and announcers. While many competitors were local, families traveled from as far as Bozeman to participate.
Zim Lytle of Ronan had seven grandchildren competing. The kids are the fourth generation of ropers in his family.
“I grew up in the rodeo world,” Lytle said. “It’s kind of a way of life.”
His grandson Ryle, 7, competed in dummy roping and goat tying on his horse Fido. Ryle said dummy roping is his favorite event.
Ryle’s cousin Gavin Knutson roped dummies as well. Gavin also competed in the breakaway roping and chute tying events.
“My favorite is chute tying because it’s fun tying calves,” Gavin said.
His mother, Zimmie Knutson, enjoyed watching her offspring carry on the family tradition.
“I like the excitement of watching my kids do good,” Knutson said.