Rodeo takes center stage at Homesteader Days

It was in some ways like trying to navigate in a dust storm.

With wind kicking up the dry dirt from the arena infield, the “regular” challenges facing rodeo cowboys and cowgirls were compounded by clouds of dust that swallowed up riders and ropers at the Homesteader Days rodeo in Hot Springs this past weekend. 

Under mostly cloudy skies and actually comfortable temperatures, the rodeo athletes, not to mention the rodeo stock, contended with the swirling dust and gave the rodeo crowd at Hot Springs’ arena a solid rodeo show. 

Several local cowboys, including a group of McAllister boys, cheered on by kin from the local King family, took part in the event, which is part of the annual Homesteader Days festival, a three-day, fun-filled event in the “Spa City.”

The crowd spurred the competitors on during the Father’s Day finals this past Sunday and were treated to some thrilling performances on the stock, which was provided by Kalispell area stock contractor Vance Brash, head of the Brash Rodeo company, which has been a staple in local rodeo events for several years. 

“This is a great day for rodeo in small town America,” said rodeo fan George Williamson, a frequent visitor to the event during his yearly Montana trip from his home near Ogden, Utah.  “What an amazing setting. You can tell Hot Springs is a good cowboy town.”

Hot Springs area residents/ranchers, the McAllister family has long been involved in rodeo and the Homesteader event. 

Brothers Jack and Nick McAllister were entered in several events related to calf roping, including tie-down and team roping. 

The McAllister boys thrilled the crowd by winning the team roping event with an eye-popping time of 6.5 seconds, bringing the partisan Hot Springs crowd to its feet.  The brothers, both multiple-sport standouts during their high school playing days at Hot Springs High, are planning on entering several Northern Rodeo Association events this summer.

They grew up on a ranch outside of Hot Springs, with Nick graduating this year, while Jack finished high school two years ago.

And while they did not score in the Sunday finals, both, along with family members Buck and Scott McAllister did their best to give the near capacity crowd a good show. 

Of particular interest to the fans on hand were many of the junior events, where the upcoming cowhands, male and female, produced some spectacular rides aboard the Brash bucking stock. 

In the steer riding event, Brander Christianson posted a strong score of 74 while taking his ride to the required eight-second standard for a “legal” ride.  The same was true of bareback bronc rider Azrdel Lara, who tied atop the leader board with a solid 66 score. 

Sixteen different events were featured in the Sunday finals, including ladies barrel racing and traditional rodeo favorite, bull riding. 

A total prize purse of $4,000 was up for grabs in the rodeo.  Final results were not immediately available for the event, which was part of the 76th annual Homesteaders Days festival. 

“This is my third time here,” said Williamson. “I will be back. The rodeo is really good and the people of this town and area are great people.”

    Brander Christianson holds on as his ride explodes out of the chute during the Homesteader Days Rodeo in Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Nick McAllister, a Hot Springs area cowboy, tries to rope a calf during one of the team roping events at this year's Homesteader Days Rodeo in Hot Springs this past Sunday.  (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    A steer goes airborne with a cowboy in the saddle during this past weekend's Homesteader Days Rodeo in Hot Springs.  (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Old Glory is ridden around the arena at the start of the Homesteader Days rodeo this past Sunday in Hot Springs.  (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)