Fair Ranch Rodeo fun for everyone
WITH SUPPORT from Brett Harris and a teammate on the tail, Steve Love brings down a steer during the Ranch Rodeo at the Lake County Fair on Saturday at the fairgrounds in Ronan. (Photos by Joe Sova/Lake County Leader)
HALLIE SOHR swings her loop while chasing a steer during the mugging event at the Ranch Rodeo on Saturday in Ronan. Six teams of ranch hands took part in the Lake County Fair event, which followed the youth rodeo. (Joe Sova/Lake County Leader)
Six hard-working teams competed for honors, or just for the fun of it, at the Ranch Rodeo during the Lake County Fair on Saturday afternoon at the Ronan Fairgrounds arena. The youth and adult rodeos were sponsored by the Lake County Fair Board.
Team members were involved in three-part competition — team branding, combo and mugging. The combo consisted of team roping, doctoring and trailer loading.
Cowboys entered the Ranch Rodeo as a pair, then they drew for another pair to make up their team. Points for placing were by the combined time on all events.
The quartet of Josh Senecal, Trevor Motichka, Paul Guenzler and Will Harris emerged with a first-place finish — keyed by a great run of 1 minute, 20 seconds in branding. Their total time was 5 minutes, 16 seconds. The shared the top cash prize of $720.
RJ Snyder, Trapper McAllister, Zeb Lytle and TJ Sinclair finished second in 6 minutes, 26 seconds. They turned in the best time in mugging, a 1:11. Their award was $540 cash.
Coming in third were Sarah Crimmins, Eric Crimmins, Levi Guenzler and Jamie Horner in 6:42. They won $360.
Fourth place went to Terry Frisk, Hallie Sohr, Koy McAllister and Kelly McAllister with a time of 7:37, good for $180 to share.
Danny Krantz, Randy Dreo, Kane McAllister and Zane Walchuck finished out of the money in fifth in 9:42. Coming in sixth was the team of Steve Love, Brett Harris, Jack McAllister and Scott McAllister in 11:03, also failing to make the pay window.
After teams completed all three of their events, a Calcutta was held to set the stage for the wild cow milking competition. Top honors went to the team of Senecal, Motichka, Paul Guenzler and Will Harris.
Montana Livestock provided the stock for the Ranch Rodeo.
Youngsters had their day in the sun during the Youth Ranch Rodeo, with Ryle Lytle earning the all-around buckle. He was first in branding and runner-up in breakaway roping.
Koy McAllister was second overall, Gavin Knudson placed third and Blair Lytle was fourth.
Lake County Fair Board chairperson Sjaan Vincent showed her admiration for the ranch men and women who took part in the rodeo.
“It’s geared to local ranch hands. It’s a good, healthy community event,” Vincent said after Saturday’s rodeo, and she indicated entry fees go back to the contestants as prize money.
All youth who participated took home at least one prize from their rodeo.
See page A7 for another photo from the Lake County Fair Ranch Rodeo.