Mission Valley cowgirls, cowboys compete at NRA Finals
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months AGO
The best 10 saddle bronc riders from the Northern Rodeo Association competed at the NRA Finals Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Kalispell. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | November 12, 2025 11:00 PM
The Northern Rodeo Association held its finals for 2025 Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell. The 50-year anniversary rodeo featured the top 10 finishers in each event competing to determine the 2025 year-end champions.
Several Mission Valley cowgirls and cowboys made the finals, with Trevor McAllister of Ronan named 2025 Bareback Bronc champion and his brother, Trapper, placing second. Trevor also won the average with 253 points on three rides. Younger brother Koy won the average in saddle bronc riding with 249 points on three broncs.
Abby Knight, Charlo, was sitting fifth in the standings coming into the finals. Local tie-down ropers Kyle and Craig Bagnell rode into the Majestic sitting third and sixth in the season standings. Polson bull rider Caden Fitzpatrick was sitting second in the bull riding by about $500 in winnings.
In addition to McAllister taking the bareback crown, other 2025 champions are:
Celie Rogers, Choteau, All Around Cowgirl for the fifth year
Kelly Murnion, Jordan, All Around Cowboy
Barrel Racing, Lisa Warfield, Helena
Saddle broncs, Colton Haase, East Helena
Tie-Down Roping, Quinn McQueary, Belgrade
Team Roping, Shawn Bird, Cutbank, header, and Chris Wright, heeler
Break-Away Roping, Molly Salmond, Choteau
Steer Wrestling, Justus Peterson, Dillon
Bull Riding, Kelly Murnion, Jordan
ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS
Traveling powwow team arrives first and leaves last
Do you know who the first people to arrive at the Arlee Powwow grounds each morning are, besides the campers who slept there, and who the last to leave are?
‘We honor those who came before us’: Arlee Esyapqeyni Celebration hosts 126th annual powwow
The 126th Arlee Esyapqeyni Celebration livened up the Arlee Powwow grounds from June 30 to July 5. Campers could set up camp on June 30, when the gates opened, and tipis dotted the sea of tents.
The Cable Girls win grand prize in Arlee Fourth parade
“Happy Birthday America” was the theme for Arlee’s Fourth of July parade, celebrating 250 years of the U.S.A. There were American flags billowing everywhere and red, white, and blue clothing was popular.