Pickups, horse trailers, and campers jostled for room at the Polson Fairgrounds when the Indian National Finals Rodeo Flathead River Tour Rodeo came to town Aug. 24-26. Cowboys and cowgirls from New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, many Canadian Provinces, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming – 627 contestants in all – came to try to secure a berth at the INFR in Las Vegas in October.

Added to the INFR in 2006, tour rodeos allow contestants to earn additional points so they can compete at the finals and also provide added prize money so it’s worthwhile for cowboys and cowgirls to drive hundreds of miles to compete. In addition, the Flathead River Rodeo is an automatic qualifier; a person who wins his or her event at the FRR qualifies for the INFR. Plus the Flathead River Rodeo has been voted the best rodeo six times by the contestants thanks to rodeo committee members, Sheila Matt, general manager of the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino and Bigarm, Pete White and Elmo McDonald.

Not only did great rodeo contestants come to the rodeo but so did some of the best bucking horses and bulls from Indian stock contractors Chancy Kittson, McDonald, and Dwayne Bull to name just a few. Kittson’s bronc, Black Book, has been to the INFR as have lots of his other broncs.

Each 7 p.m. performance began with the Veteran’s Warrior Society and the Veteran’s Honor Guard presenting the flags, an invocation by rodeo announcer Ray Champ, the Star Spangled Banner, and a native drum group playing an honor song. Badger Tail sang and drummed on Thursday evening, Yamncut on Friday night, and Chief Cliff on Saturday evening.

To keep the arena clear, pickup men Manny Boggs, White, and John Hall were there for bronc riders to grab to exit their horses after the horn sounded and to collect the flank straps from the horses. A JumboTron in the arena allowed the crowd to see a replay of each ride or run.

To keep the crowd amused, Danger Dave Whitmoyer was on hand as the rodeo clown.

“Just keep your camera on me at all times, cause you never know what might happen,” Danger Dave advised.

An impressive dancer, Danger Dave specializes in crowd participation, flirts with all the ladies, and tells goofy jokes. He and rodeo announcer Ray Champ keep a running banter going, and their timing was good.

With 627 contestants, that means slack, which is where some contestants take their stock or turn at the barrels before the nightly performances. There was slack on both Thursday and Friday for the long go. Then the top 12 contestants came back for the short go on Saturday night.

Winners in each event received a pair of spurs as well as cash and a trip to the INFR.

Saturday night’s performance had cars and pickups packing the parking lot and lining Regatta Road to see the show.

Polson Fairgrounds Inc. members fired up the chuckwagon to provide food. According to Tracy Wall and Tommy Seifert, 1,000 pounds of potatoes were turned into delectable rodeo fries. To accompany the fries were burgers, sodas, lemonade, iced tea, pizza, riblets, and other items. Additional food vendors also provided grub.

For those young at heart, there was live music at the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino on Thursday night. Sho Down played live at the Polson Fairgrounds on Friday night, and Canadian singer Armond Duck Chief and his band played live on Saturday night.

Top two in each event:

Bareback Riding – Long Go

Kashton Ford, 85

Jhett Knight, Dupree, SD, 75

Bareback – Short Go

Kashton Ford, 88

Jhett Knight, Dupree, SD, 80

Steer Wrestling – Long Go

Collin Johnson, Browning, 4.23

Tucker Rabbit, Standoff, Alberta, 4.44

Steer Wrestling – Short Go

Matt Jodie, Churchrock, N.M., 5.48

Jay Many Grey Horses - Standoff, Alberta, 5.96

Ladies Breakaway – Long Go

PJ Fox, Cardston, Alberta, 2.79

Danielle Augare, Browning, 2.93

Ladies Breakaway – Short Go

D Low Show, Gilbert, Ariz., 5.61

Sammy Jo Bird, Cut Bank, 7.19

Saddle Bronc Riding – Long Go

Phillip Whiteman, 63

Joe Scott III, Madras, Ore., 53

Saddle Bronc Riding – Short Go

Phillip Whiteman, 70

Tie Down Roping – Long Go

Troy Crawler, Morley, Alberta, 9.83

Gavaro Harrison, Chinle, Ariz., 10.04

Tie Down Roping – Short Go

Noah Haven, Window Rock, Ariz., 8.84

Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, 9.67

Team Roping Header – Long Go

Westley Benall, 5.32

Blaine Red Horse, 5.50

Team Roping Header – Short Go

Ty St. Goddard, 5.80

Eric Paul Watson, 11.31

Team Roping Heeler – Long Go

Denton Begay, 5.32

Casey Cummins, 5.50

Team Roping Heeler – Short Go

Chops Yazzie, 5.80

John Hall, 11.31

Ladies Barrel Racing – Long Go

Sonya Dodginghorse, Tsuu T’lna 17.449

Tara Seaton, Winslow, AZ 17,491

Ladies Barrel Racing – Short Go

Graysen O’Connor, Arlee, 17.869

Cheyenne Black Water, Cardston, Alberta, 17.913

(O’Connor placed fourth in the Barrel Racing Average with 36.068)

Bull Riding – Long Go

Dakota Lewis, Browning, 84

2/3S Tahj Wells, Browning, 83

2/3S Cole Brewer, Dupree, S.D., 83

No scores available for Bull Riding – Short Go