Henningsen hangs on to win wild buffalo ride at Pioneer Days
The last bull out of the chutes in the Pioneer Days series of Ronan was ridden by Chance Lipe of Kalispell. The bulls dominated throughout the event and during the Sunday afternoon event, none of the riders made it to the whistle.The flexibility of this bull is a good example of the real athleticism of the stock. (Marla Hall/Lake County Leader)
Jr. barrel racer Fay Garrison receives a pre race high five. (Rob Zolman/Lake County Leader)
Ben Hopper of Louisiana demonstrates nerves of steel as this bronc leaps over him in the ranch bronc competition on Sunday. (Marla Hall/Lake County Leader)
A wild buffalo puts on the brakes and sends rider Coleton Sherman face first into the ground. (Rob Zolman/Lake County Leader)
RONAN — After the first five thrill-seeking riders were launched into the air and face planted into the dirt mere seconds into their rides, the last rider of the day, Noah Henningsen, rode the longest, which earned him first place during Sunday’s wild buffalo ride with a time of 6.5 seconds.
Daniel Kelsch placed second with a time of 3.78 seconds and Coleton Sherman finished third with a time of 2.77 seconds.
Kalani Prindel, Tristan Felsman and Mark Toler, Jr. rounded out this year’s contestants.
The wild buffalo ride serves as the grand finale event during Ronan’s Pioneer Days three-day rodeo celebration.
A broncs and bulls only event kicked off the rodeo action on Friday evening.
The fast-paced, high-flying action continued Saturday night as rodeo fans watched bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing action.
On Sunday, the open rodeo drew spectators eager to witness the wild and always unpredictable buffalo ride where six adventurous crowd members risked life and limb for a little bragging rights and cash as a wild buffalo tries violently to unseat the rider off their back.
The cowboys had tough luck in the bull-riding event with only two qualified rides: a 72-point effort by Kyler McDonald of Ronan took top spot.
Former Mission Valley resident, Levi Guenzler took first place in the steer wrestling with a time of 9.40 seconds, while in calf roping Will Powell of St. Ignatius placed second and Koy McAllister of Ronan finished third.
Charlo cowgirl Abby Knight won the ladies barrel race event with a time of 15.83 seconds followed by Arlee’s Desiree Enu with a time of 16.39. Charlo’s Brielle Zemple won the jr. barrels with a time of 16.25 seconds.
Lexi Bagnell of Polson grabbed the top ride in the ladies breakaway event with a time of 2.72 seconds, while in the ladies barrel race Bagnell finished third.
With a time of 4.27 seconds, Jesse White of Ronan won the jr. breakaway and Brennan Harris of Ronan placed third, while in the ladies breakaway Afton Brander of St. Ignatius with a time of 3.09 seconds finished second and Paige Johnston placed third.
Ronan cowboy Tate Wayman won a pot of cash in the ranch bronc event with an 80-point ride followed by Shea Miller of Arlee with a 76-point ride.
A time of 6.29 seconds by team roping duo of Dustin Datisman and Josh Harris won the team roping event. Chance Paradis and Colt Stonehocker finished second with a time of 7.73 seconds, while Dallas and Chip VonHeeder placed third.
