Rodeo Headlines

- Annual Committee Meeting Honors Montana Pro Rodeo Committees
- Costello Edges World Champion at Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo
- Dick Lyman Honored with Calvin Bohleen Award
- Tight Race for Montana WPRA Rookie of the Year
- Top 12 Honored ar Annual WPRA Breakfast
- Send-Off Party for Kruse turns into $1,410 Donation for JCCF

Annual Committee Meeting Honors Montana Pro Rodeo Committess - By Jeanne Benson - Cowboy’s Digest

During the Montana Pro Rodeo Finals in Great Falls special attention
is paid to the committees of Pro Rodeo in Montana. Committeeman Representative on the MPRC Board, Dave Wagner, organizes the breakfast to aid the committees with current Pro Rodeo updates, sponsorship opportunities and insight from different perspectives.
This year guest speakers included rodeo contestants Bill Boyce of Lewistown and Kory Mytty of Lolo. Both of these top competitors
were able to offer the contestants side of rodeo competition.

Montana Silversmith presented special award lines offered to Pro Rodeo Committees. New sponsorship ideas and programs were discussed and rodeo committee reps from CM Russell Stampede of Stanford and the Little Belt Cowboy’s Rodeo in Belt, who will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2010, offered what works for their respective rodeos.
Jason Beam discussed FaceBook with rodeo committees and an additional option to promote their rodeo. MPRC and MPRF both have sites offered through FaceBook now.

Theresa Cobb of the PRCA updates and changes on committees programs offered this year through the PRCA. By offering the different speakers, the hope is to allow rodeo committees to adapt new ideas to improve the rodeos in their local communities.

Great Falls Committee Voted by the cowboys and cowgirls of Montana Pro Rodeo, the Big Sky Pro Rodeo of Great Falls was selected as the 2009 Rodeo of the Year. This event is annually held at the beginning of August and held in conjunction with the Montana State Fair.

Helena Committee In recognition for all the improvements made to the rodeo grounds the MPRC contestants named the Last Chance Stampede Rodeo the Most Improved for 2009! This rodeo is held in conjunction with the Lewis & Clark County Fair in Helena.

Costello Edges World Champion at Dodge Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo

PRCA, GREAT FALLS, MT. – Jesse Kruse is the reigning saddle bronc riding champion of the world. His home state of Montana? That he has to share. Jake Costello edged Kruse by three points at the Jan. 15-17 in the Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo at the Four Seasons Arena to earn a berth alongside Kruse at the DNCFR in April. “There was no chance to catch Jesse in the (Montana circuit) year-end standings, so I had to win the average,” Costello told the Great Falls Tribune. “I came in and told my wife I’m going to try to win every go-round.”

He came pretty close to managing it, too. Costello shared the first-round win with Kruse, won the second round outright and tied Kruse for second the final round to finish with 238 points on three head.

Costello, 34, tore a muscle in his leg last season, leaving him in the bottom half of the qualifiers heading into the circuit finals and something of a longshot to reach his sixth DNCFR.

“It turned out it’s a pretty dang important muscle to ride broncs with” Costello said. “I was healed up and felt good and tickled to have all the good broncs I had here.”

With more than $18,000 in circuit money, Kruse had the year-end title clinched before the rodeo started and so, while he didn’t walk away with the win in his hometown arena, Kruse couldn’t help feeling good.
“About the only thing I hoped for was to win another circuit and to ride to the best of my ability,” Kruse said. “It’s awesome; it’s all these fans. Not only do they come out to cheer for me, they cheer for everyone else. It’s been a great year.”

The other Dodge Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo champions were bareback rider Buck Lunak (234 points on three head), steer wrestler Beau Franzen (11.3 seconds on three head), team ropers Tate Dempewolf and Charlie Lenning (24.9 seconds on three head), tie-down roper Bryant Mikkelson (26.8 seconds on three head), barrel racer Theresa Walter (39.77 seconds on three runs) and bull rider Cody Buller (242 points on three head).

Dick Lyman Honored with Calvin Bohleen Award
- By Jeanne Benson-Cowboy’s Digest

Being the newest recipient of the Calvin Bohleen award was quite an honor for Great Falls native Dick Lyman. “It was real special honor because I knew Calvin, so it made it extra special.” Being presented the award by Calvin’s wife Suze added to it as Lyman personally knows her as well.

The Calvin Bohleen Award recognizes personalities who have influenced the lives of Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit finalists.  Nominated by  saddle bronc rider Shane Moran and tie down and team roper Brant Davis, Lyman has helped many young competitors throughout the years. “A few years ago nine kids went to the circuit finals that had started in my backyard,” said Lyman.

Davis and Moran compete at opposite ends of the arena but wrote that Lyman has impacted them in life as much as he has in the rodeo arena. Lyman tries to instill in the kids that he offers his help that life isn’t just about what you do in the arena but your actions outside the arena as well. “I have been married for 33 years we have taken on a kid every year since and mentored and helped to shape their lives,” commented Lyman.

“Dick is the one that started me in rodeo,” said circuit finals roper Davis. “I was running chutes for him and he gave me a rope and a horse and a start. Without him I  wouldn’t have been able to get started roping.”
Davis and Moran were able to keep the honor secret from Lyman as they had been planning to nominate him all summer. He first figured out something was up when Davis went and got him out of the grandstands and brought him to the other end of the arena just before it was officially announced in front of a sold out crowd at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls during the Circuit Finals Rodeo.

Lyman grew up in rodeo. In high school he tied calves, steer wrestled and team roped. He tried riding bareback horses and bulls but his size limited his rough stock competition. He went on to compete at the college level as well.

Standing 6’4” and tipping the scale at 275 offered Lyman another opportunity as a football player at Montana State University. But as a junior in college Lyman was diagnosed with Colitis, an infection of the large intestines, which ulcerates and causes a lot of physical discomfort. He had to red shirt as a junior. He was able to rehab for one year and came back as a senior and made All-American.

There was one thing that stood in his way of a choosing to pursue a life as a professional football player, Dick had met the love of his life Terrie Jo while in college and opted to marry on September 14, 1977 and move back to Great Falls and raise their family. They have four girls Lacey, Fanci, Tiffany and Brittney. Now Dick and Terrie Jo are enjoying several grandchildren as well.

Having the practice pen in the backyard for the past 30 years, Lyman prides himself with helping rodeo competitors. In the life of rodeo there are many ups and downs but Lyman is most proud of the fact that during the down times when a cowboy gets into a slump they get him on the phone and visit with him and want to hear his opinion on what they can do different to make it turn around and get better.

“I am a very lucky man to make a living doing what I love to do,” said Lyman as he produces rodeos and operates Lyman Outfitting.

Back in the late 1960’s Bill Jacobs started putting on some junior rodoes, his son Don took over the business and developed it into Jacobs Livestock Rodeo Company we know today. Growing up helping to produce rodeos it was no surprise upon Don’s retirement Dick took over the reins of his step father’s business and manages the contracting business producing rodeos throughout Montana today.

In addition to rodeo production, in the past, Dick has been voted Northern Rodeo Association’s pickup man of the year 14 times. He and his wife also won the coveted honor of “NRA Personality of the Year.”
The Lyman Outfitting Business is based just outside of White Sulphur Springs, Montana and they hunt the Castle Mountains. In the fall they hunt deer and elk and in the spring they do a little bear hunting. Despite not having trophies of his own he has several clients that have taken home the largest trophies of their lives.

“I am a people person and in the outfitting and rodeo businesses you are dealing with people all the time and have the opportunity to live an interesting life,” said Lyman. He has been able to meet all different types of people from all different walks of life including multi millionaires to others financially struggling.

This was a very emotional and special award for Lyman to be honored for sharing his life with so many throughout the years and making a true impact on people not just in the rodeo arena. Having the Con Williams bronze presented to him by Suze Bohleen in his hometown was just icing on the cake.

Tight Race for Montana WPRA Rookie of the Year
By Jeanne Benson-Cowboy’s Digest

Three different barrel racers came into the recent Montana Pro Rodeo Finals in Great Falls vying for the title of Montana WPRA Rookie of the Year. In addition to the three Rookies there were 3 other first time finalists.

Recording a 13.06 during the Saturday night performance, Annie turned in the fastest time of the weekend. Annie was able to best the field of three and claim the rookie title for 2009 circuit season.

Three girls came into the Circuit Finals vying for the Rookie of the Year title pictured above: Chloe Hoovestal, Emily Kallenberger and Annie Novotny - ©2010 Dillon McPherson Photo

Top 12 Honored at Annual WPRA Breakfast
- By Jeanne Benson - Cowboy’s Digest

The barrel racing is the one event featuring Pro Rodeo women in the arena on fast horses and bright clothes.

This year’s finals featured six racers marking their first trip to the Montana Pro Rodeo Finals Laura McPherson, Mandy Bishop, and Twyla Vaira and the three cowgirls vying for Rookie of the Year Chloe Hoovestal, Emily Kallenberger and Annie Novotny. These first timers took home nearly $5,500 in payoff checks.

Five of the top 12 cowgirls were on horses other than their mounts they qualified for the finals including: Shelly Anzick on her daughter Kahley’s horse; Jill Ferdina Miller was riding Donna Johnson’s horse; Rayna Rice was riding a mount owned by Katie Rasmussen; Emily Kallenberger was using a horse owned by Danna Whitford and Mandy Hamilton was on a horse owned by Jamie Faler.

Other top Montana barrel racers were also recognized through specialty awards which are listed in Tidbits from Tibbetts to the left.
For complete Montana WPRA News throughout the season keep checking the Cowboy’s Digest, the official newsletter of Montana Pro Rodeo or the Montana WPRA website at www.montanawpra.com

Top 12 Montana circuit finalists: back row l-r: Terri Kaye Kirkland, Laura McPherson, Theresa Walter, Jill Ferdina-Miller, Mandy Hamilton, Annie Novotny; front l-r: Chloe Hoovestal, Lindsay Karp, Twyla Vaira, Emily Kallenberger and Rayna Rice. (Not pictured Shelly Anzick)
©2010 Dillon McPherson Photo

Send-off party for Kruse turns into $1,410 donation for JCCF
- Courtesy of the PRCA

The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund received a check for $1,410.50 thanks to 2009 World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Jesse Kruse.

“We’re so appreciative when Pro Rodeo Cowboys think of the JCCF when helping organizations direct charitable donations,” said Cindy Schonholtz, JCCF program manager.

That is exactly what the Montana cowboy did at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo send-off party held for the Great Falls native and 2009 Miss Rodeo Montana Lesli Furniss last December. Kruse, 23, chose the JCCF as the recipient of his half of the silent auction proceeds which totaled $705.25, with the Cascade Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans matching the amount.

“I appreciate the Justin Sports Medicine Team and the JCCF,” Kruse said. “The Justin Sports Medicine Team helped me when I injured my foot and my back, and the JCCF helps us when we get hurt (seriously enough to miss part of the season). That is why I picked them.”

Donations to the JCCF can be mailed to:
JCCF, PRCA
101 Pro Rodeo Drive
Colorado Springs, CO  80919

JCCF donations can also be made online
- Click HERE to visit the JCCF page

5th Annual Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame Scholarship Fund Raiser set for January 30th

The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame Banquet is set for Saturday, January 30th at the Holiday Inn Montana Grand Convention Center in Billings. Doors open at 3pm for visiting and viewing of silent and live auction items and vendor booths. A prime rib dinner is scheduled to begin at 6pm with introduction of special guests and VIP's, followed by induction ceremonies. Country Western dancing starts at 8:30 with Cooper and the Crowd Thinners.

The scholarship fundraiser is held annually to fund $39,000 in scholarships awarded to Montana High School Rodeo competitors each year. Over $100,000 in scholarships have been awarded in the past four years.

This year the following six legends will be inducted during the banquet:
- Jack Carraher
- Calvin Bohleen
- Bud Pilcher
- Corky Schwend
- Ed Solomon,
- Jack Bloxham

All six of these men have made a major impact on pro rodeo in Montana and it is a pleasure to honor them at the banquet coming up in January.

New feature added for this year will be the Heritage Award. The
recipients helped to establish the western way of life through ranching
and rodeo in Montana and are:

- Mildred “Mickey” Styer, Roy, MT
- Glenn Hutchinson, Wibaux, MT
- Danny Cloninger, Helena, MT
- Les & Lorraine Best, Bighorn, MT
- Allan & Ann Pursley, Congress, AZ
- William & Judith Staudenmeyer, Centennial Livestock, Dillon, MT

In addition, everyone will have the chance to visit their way through
the evening, bid on silent auction items and raise their hands during
the live auction to help raise scholarship funding for Montana High
School Rodeo seniors.

For more information or to receive your reservation form, contact the
Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame at 406-256-6515 or
www.montanaprorodeo.org

Jesse Kruse Updates

rNational Finals Send-Off Party Honoring Jesse Kruse
- Courtesy of the PRCA

An official National Finals Rodeo “send-off” party to honor local cowboy Jesse Kruse, along with Miss Rodeo Montana 2009 Lesli Furniss, will be held on Friday, November 20th, at 7pm at the Paddock Club at Montana ExpoPark.
The event is free and open to the public.

Jesse Kruse, who was the 2007 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year, is going into the National Finals Rodeo with a commanding $30,000 lead in the World Saddle Bronc Riding Standings.

Lesli Furniss, the 2009 Miss Rodeo Montana, will also be traveling to Las Vegas to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America 2010. In the more than fifty years of Miss Rodeo Montana, none have earned the title of Miss Rodeo America, and Lesli hopes to be the first to bring the title home to Montana.

The FREE event will feature an NFR preview with rodeo announcer Will Rasmussen, and folks will have the opportunity to visit with and wish both Jesse and Lesli good luck. There will be a silent auction with proceeds to benefit the charities of Jesse and Lesli’s choice; hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar.


Montana PRCA Cowboys participate in the first ever American/PRCA endorsed rodeo in Spain
- Courtesy Brent Jordan, PRCA Rodeo Announcer


Brent Jordan, PRCA Rodeo announcer and Paradise Valley, MT resident was a member of the history making rodeo tour that produced and put on the 1st ever American Rodeo in Spain. The tour produced 8 PRCA endorsed performances, spanning a five week touring schedule that took 55 cowboys and cowgirls throughout the country, starting in the capitol city of Madrid with the rodeo being held in the famous bullfighting arena, Plaza De Toro's in Las Ventas.



The initial performances were broadcast live on national television and simulcast. Over 24,000 rodeo fans witnessed the first two performances over two days in Madrid, with continuing strong crowds throughout the remainder of the tour.



Promoted by ESFM Entertainment and GP Spain, the tour was designed to introduce American rodeo to the people of Spain who provided tremendous positive response from not only the live audience, but the print and television media as well. The stock contractor for the tour was Rumford Rodeo of Abbeville Kansas, with well known rodeo producer Bronc Rumford leading the way. The livestock was flown over on a specially configured Boeing 747 from Kansas City to Madrid.




Four time WNFR saddle bronc qualifier Jess Martin of Dillon, PRCA Steer Wrestlers Jabe Anderson of Dillon and Jordan Holland of Belgrade were also members of the tour, playing very prominent roles in the their respective events and bringing home multiple championship plaques from the European tour. Brent commented "It was a great opportunity to be part of this history making event and I feel it was well received by the people of Spain. The crowds were great and very enthusiastic. We spent a lot of time signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans. I think a great foundation has been laid for the future of pro rodeo in Spain"




- Photographs courtesy of Brent Jordan

Ticket Sales - 31st Annual Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals

Turn up the heat with Montana PRCA Pro Rodeo action this January, as the hottest show in Montana comes back to the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls - Tickets for the 31st Annual Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals go on sale Saturday, December 12, at twelve - noon. The rodeo fans spoke, and we listened: this past year, the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit has worked extensively to create a more consumer-friendly ticket purchasing process. There will no longer be extra Ticket Master or the added fees, and when you call (toll free) 877-727-1481 to purchase tickets, you will be speaking with a local State Fair ticket representative that can facilitate your purchase and help you with any questions you may have.

The Montana Circuit Finals, which gathers friends and families alike with the best pro rodeo cowboys, cowgirls and rough stock the State of Montana has to offer will be held January 15, 16 and 17, 2010. Tickets will go on sale December 12, 2009 with the box office being open Monday through Saturday from Noon – 6:00 p.m. You can also stop by the box office at the Four Seasons Arena on the State Fairgrounds in Great Falls to purchase your reserved rodeo tickets during these times, or visit the website at www.montanaprorodeo.com to purchase tickets online. The price of tickets are $27; $22; $17. All seats are reserved. Purchase your tickets early to get great seating for the best PRCA Pro Rodeo event Montana has to offer!

- Montana PRCA Pro Rodeo Circuit Board

Team ropers Shane Schwenke, Mike Beers post 3.4-second run in Canadian Tour Finals
- Courtesy of the PRCA/ Dwayne Erickson

CALGARY, ALBERTA – Americans fared well in the Canadian Tour Championships, Oct. 2-4 at the Calgary Corral. However, Shane Schwenke and Mike Beers did a little something extra. The duo roped their steer in 3.4 seconds – believed to be the fastest recorded time in competition.

“Before they announced our time, I yelled at Mike, ‘How fast were we?’ said Schwenke, a header from Montana. “Mike laughed and said, ‘That was fast." The two tied the Canadian record of 3.7 seconds in the semifinal round, but never dreamed they could be 3.4 in the same arena 45 minutes later.

“That 3.7 was the fastest I’d ever been in my life,” said Schwenke, 42, who was riding Canadian champion Murray Linthicum’s gray horse, Roller. The PRCA-sanctioned world record of 3.5 seconds is shared by five teams and was most recently tied by JoJo LeMond and Randon Adams at the Buc Days Pro Rodeo, April 22, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

“I had an idea how fast it was, and it was the fastest I’d ever been,” said Beers, 51, from Oregon. “I mean, things happened so fast. We had a great steer. Shane did a great job, and I just kind of cleaned it up. It was awesome; we had a good time.” Schwenke and Beers earned $5,000 apiece and are scheduled to compete in the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton next month.

In other events, Oregon’s Bobby Mote (bareback riding), Idaho’s Nate Baldwin (tie-down roping) and Texan Brittany Pozzi (barrel racing) also won Canadian tour titles. Canadians Cody Cassidy (steer wrestling), Justin Berg (saddle bronc riding) and Ty Elliott (bull riding) were the other Tour winners.