Several Mission Valley cowboys and cowgirls rode to victory (or came close) in last weekend’s Mission Mountain Rodeo, sanctioned by the Northern Rodeo Association and held at the Polson Fairgrounds.  

Ronan’s Trevor McAllister took first in Bareback Riding, followed by Trapper McAllister in third; and another member of the McAllister clan, Koy, claimed second in Saddle Bronc Riding.

Craig Bagnell, Polson, was second in Tie-Down roping, and Landon Dolberry, Polson, was second in Junior Breakaway. Charlo’s Abby Knight placed fourth in Barrel Racing and Paige Johnston of Polson was fourth in Breakaway Roping.

Big Circle Rodeo brought a semi-load of bucking horses and bulls, roping calves and steers, and a few saddle horses for the event. Mark “Sparky” Dreesen and his wife Marlene own Big Circle Rodeo and provide high quality stock for rodeos around the state.

At 6 p.m. before the “big kid” events, the mutton busters had a chance to hone their rodeo skills riding sheep before they move up to broncs and bulls.

Jodi Lynn Seifert said, “There were lots of little mutton busters.”

There was also a new kids’ event, the Crazy Calf Race.

Calves had money taped to their fuzzy little hides, and kids from the grandstand could come catch a calf in the arena and pocket the cash.

Seifert, secretary of the Polson Fairgrounds Inc. that produces the rodeo, said lots of locals and visitors supported the rodeo, especially Friday night.

Caselli’s Crew entertained after Friday’s rodeo and Outlaws and Lawmen performed Saturday night, so attendees could dance the night away.     

Top four placers in each event were:

BAREBACK RIDING

1. Trevor McAllister, Ronan

2. Leighton Lafromboise, Helena

3. Trapper McAllister, Ronan

4. Cooper Haefs, Livingston

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

1. Kolby Kittson, Browning

2. Koy McAllister, Ronan

3. Randin Wagner, Browning

4. Wind Augare, Cut Bank

BARREL RACING

1. Bella Olson, Missoula

2. Brooklin Baukol, Clyde Park

3. Leslie Graves, Eureka

4. Abby Knight, Charlo 

LADIES BREAKAWAY

1. Molly Salmond, Choteau

2. Hailey Burger, Helena

3. Celie Rogers, Choteau

4. Paige Johnston, Polson

JUNIOR BARREL RACING

1. Sylvia Eash, Fortine

2. Chaney Akin, Cody

3. Paisley Kruse, Bridger

4. Isabella Moran, Kalispell

JUNIOR BREAKAWAY

1. Bentz Bolich, Belgrade

2. Landon Dolberry, Polson

3. Carson Eash, Fortine

4. Cooper Eash, Fortine

BULL RIDING

1. Caleb O’Shea, Helena

2. Kelly Murnion, Jordan

STEER WRESTLING

1. Justus Peterson, Dillon

TIE-DOWN ROPING

1. Quinn McQueary, Belgrade

2. Craig Bagnell, Polson

3. Kelly Murnion, Jordan

4. Jade Gardiner, Ballentine

TEAM ROPING

1. Preston Bird/Brandon Glumbik—Cut Bank

2. Chad Turner/Zach Schweigert—Cody

3. Ryan Counts/Brett Damuth—Three Forks

Tied for 4 and 5. Joe Graves/Marion Eash—Fortine and Neil Tatsey/Jimmy Racine—Cut Bank

    Bull takes flight straight out of chute as its rider attempts to hold on for those precious eight seconds. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)
  

    Breakaway roper lunges for a calf during last Friday's Mission Mountain Rodeo in Polson. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)
  

    Rodeo clown – ready to dive into his barrel at any moment – gets the audience on their feet during the Mission Mountain Rodeo. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)