Audience members flocked to the Mission Mountain Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights. Attendance was up, according to Polson Fairgrounds Inc. secretary Una Rose Graham. PFI produces the annual event. 

“The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold,” Graham said, adding that lots of people showed up to watch the youth events at 6 p.m. Youth events were mutton bustin’, mini bull riding and pony mini-buckers.

According to Jodi Seifert, who organizes the mutton bustin’, “All the kids events were full. Everybody did great. We had very large crowds each night, too.”

As rodeo fans trailed in to find their seats, hamburgers sizzled on the grill and the smells of popcorn and rodeo fries drifted around the concession stand. Out back of the chutes, contestants saddled their horses  and packed their rigging bags. Soon hooves were thudding a rhythmic tattoo as people warmed up their horses.  

It was a great weekend for a rodeo, Graham said. She added that the Northern Rodeo Association is family-oriented, with many families traveling and competing together. 

Seifert, who is also a PFI member and officer, said the concession stand was very busy both nights.

“We also had a lot of community sponsors for the rodeo,” she said, thanking them profusely. 

After the rodeo, Highway 93 played for people to dance under the night sky.

Winners are: 

Bareback: 1. Trevor Kay, Chester 75 $439.45; 2. Jordan Larson, Charlo 70 $336.05; 3. Leighton LaFromboise, Helena 61 $258.50.

Saddle bronc: 1. Judd Applegate, Deer Lodge 77 $846.94; 2\3 Hunter Haskins, Superior 73 $572.93; 2\3 Jason Colclough, Libby 73 $572.93; 4. Parker Mothershead, Joliet 71 $323.83; 5. Caiden Gray, Miles City 68 $174.37.

Bull riding: No Qualified Rides

Steer wrestling: 1. Justus Peterson, Dillon 17.4 $601.60; 2. Reno Ward, Deer Lodge 17.5 $451.20; 3. Ryder Gaasch, Dillon 20.9 $300.80; 4. Ethan Stensrud, Florence 28.1 $150.40.

Tie-down roping: 1. Cash Trexler, Corvallis 10.9 $870.91; 2. Quinn McQueary, Belgrade 12.0 $665.99; 3. Jade Gardner, Ballantine 13.1 $512.30; 4. Clint Craig, East Helena 13.2 $333.00; 5. Ryley Mapston, Belt 14.7 $179.31.

Team roping: 1. Chad Turner/Gavin Beattie Helena 5.4 $1,110.61; 2. Eli Higa/Koy McAllister, Ronan 9.0 $849.29; 3. Jesse Johnston/Josh Harris, Ronan 9.9 $653.30; 4. JR Winter/Shane Bessette, Corvallis 10.2 $424.65; 5. Loranzy McMakin/Rocky Racine, Cut Bank 14.4 $228.66.

Ladies barrel racing: 1. Alexis McDonald, Gardiner 17.51 $1,171.24; 2. Mylee Welch, Joliet 17.53 $962.09; 3. Molly Salmond, Choteau 17.59 $752.94; tied for 4\5\6 with 17.65: Payton Levine, Wolf Creek, Celie Salmond, Choteau and Keslie Wolfe, Boulder, $362.53; 7. Tammy Jo Carpenter, Kalispell 17.69 $125.49; 8. Abby Knight, Charlo 17.70 $83.66.

Ladies breakaway: 1. Meghan McGinley, Bozeman 2.7 $1,250.20; 2. Celie Salmond, Choteau 2.8 $1,026.95; 3. Sydney Brander, St. Ignatius 3.0 $803.70; 4. Rachel Ward, Philipsburg 3.1 $580.45; 5. Milee Dailey, Pray 4.1 $357.20; 6. Grace Lenhardt, Helena 4.2 $223.25; 7. Brooklin Baukol, Clyde Park 4.5 $133.95; 8. Alix Carpenter, Bozeman 5.8 $89.30.

Junior barrel racing: 1. Chaney Akin, Cody 18.01 $288; 2. Sophia Neill, Whitefish 18.09 $216.00; 3. Tye Brown, Helena 18.29 $144; 4. Payten Johnston, Polson 18.39 $72.

    Team ropers were ready for action Friday night at the Mission Mountain Rodeo in Polson. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Grandstands at the Polson Fairgrounds were brimming with spectators Friday night during round one of the Mission Mountain Rodeo. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    There's always time for ice-cream, even in the midst of a rodeo. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Rider cuts around the final barrel before heading to the finish line at the Mission Mountain Rodeo, held last weekend at the Polson Fairgrounds. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Big Circle Rodeo supplied the surly broncs for last weekend's Mission Mountain Rodeo in Polson. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)