Homesteaders rodeo hits Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS – Broncs did their best to rid themselves of their riders, bulls ran amok, horses raced around barrels and a few brave volunteers did their best to corral wild cows as the rodeo came to Hot Springs.

As has been the case in previous Homesteader Days celebrations, the rodeo was incorporated into the town’s big weekend, taking place over the weekend.

The competitions, held at the facility off of Broadway, just outside of town, played host to day one of the rodeo from 6 p.m. to sunset. The second day of events was held in the afternoon of Father’s Day, running from 2 p.m. to around 5 p.m.  

After the infield was used to warm up the horses on Saturday, the two-day event was officially kicked off with a procession of flags, with riders bearing the flags of the state of Montana, the United States, and the Provinces of Canada to the center of the arena.

With the riders in place, Savannah Roosma of Hot Springs sang the national anthem and the rodeo began shortly thereafter.

Announcer Bo Carpenter was impressed with Roosma’s rendition and got things going by introducing the first event steer wrestling.

“The big man’s event,” Carpenter said.

In addition, to steer wrestling, the rodeo also included calf roping, saddle bronc riding, team calf roping mini bulls and a ladies breakaway event.

Despite the weather, which was overcast for the greater portion of the evening, a large crowd was in attendance.

Spectators filled the stands around the dirt arena’s periphery, with many standing in areas where no seats were available.  

“This is one of the largest crowds we have seen in a long time,” Carpenter said.

Rounding out the first night’s events were a junior breakaway competition, more team roping, bull riding, double mugging, ladies barrel races, junior barrel races and kids barrel races, often featuring the parents leading their children’s horses around the barrels.

Several locals took part in the rodeo, in addition to competitors from around the state, and a few from Idaho.

Shane Morigeau of Dixon took part in the steer wrestling and saddle bronc events.

Zanen and Terry Pitts also of Dixon competed in the calf-roping contest at the beginning of the evening.

One of the mini bull riders was Cody Garrison of Thompson Falls.

Jessica Read of Plains took part in the ladies breakaway competition and the barrel race, bringing her horse around in a timely fashion in both events.

However, the night would not have been complete without the annual wild cow milking madness.

Five teams of overtly brave volunteers anteed up for the event.

Following an old school call and response auction, where attendees could purchase a team with the hopes of taking home the winner’s purse of $300, the craziness began.

The free-range cows were released simultaneously running to and fro as the various teams attempted to corral them with limited success.

When the dust settled Sarah Ball ran her team’s small collection of milk to the judges, ending the competition.

Day two of the rodeo featured many of the same events as night one, but the afternoon matinee placed a special emphasis on bull riding.

Notably, no bull riders took home the prize money for the event. No individuals recorded an official time before being bucked by the ornery animals on both the first and second days.

The second day did feature a few more local cowboys and cowgirls as Rocky Fisher of Thompson Falls competed in the bull riding, while Elena and Claire McAllister of Hot Springs and Grace Horton of Plains took part in the junior barrel race.

Scott McAllister of Hot Springs took part in the calf roping, while Jack McAllister was part of the junior breakaway competition.

Stewart Schall and Eric Christianson served as judges for the rodeo, while Shandi Higgins and Kelly Hawkinson participated as the timers, with Niki McDonald as the secretary.

The bullfighters at this year’s rodeo were Cody Morris and Tyler McDade.