Local riders shine at Hot Springs rodeo

HOT SPRINGS — Several hundred people flocked to the rodeo arena just outside of Hot Springs on Saturday and Sunday for the annual rodeo competition during the 64th annual Homesteader Days celebration.

Competitors of all ages took to their horses and bulls to test their skills in multiple events.

As dust flew and hooves kicked at the air, cowboys also flew through the air during the bareback competition.

Rodeo participants also demonstrated their skill in steer wrestling, calf roping, saddle bronc, team roping and breakaway roping.

Kyle Delaney of Polson was shaken up after his ride in the bull riding competition and required assistance to leave the ring.

At the age of 71, Charlie Sammons of Hot Springs was riding his first bull in 16 years. Sammons said he wanted to ride one more bull before leaving the sport for good.

“I started riding when I was 15. There’s nothing like it. You can’t imagine the adrenaline rush. For that eight seconds, it’s unreal,” said Sammons.

None of the bull riders were able to score in their event. In the saddle bronc event, Andrew Evjene of Melville took first place. In bareback riding, Dan Lien of Ronan placed first. Levi Guenzler of Ronan placed first in steer wrestling. In calf-roping, Dustin Bird of Cut Bank took first prize. There were no times for the junior breakaway.

In the ladies breakaway, Jaylyn Garrison of Arlee won the event. In junior barrels, Carrie Fitzpatrick of Browning took first place followed by Catie Birk of Kalispell who won the ladies barrels. The team of Dustin Bird and Paul Faves won the team-roping event.

In the mini-bull event, Cody Garrison of Thompson Falls came out victorious while Elizabeth Schiel-Leodoro from Missoula won the kids barrels.

Leslie Smith, organizer of the Homesteader Days, said the rodeo was a huge success.

“We had great weather and the rodeo went very well. We had a great turnout from the community,” said Smith.