The Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals Heats up with Day 2 Fire

As the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals gets one day closer to deciding who the 2025 champs are, the Cowboys and Cowgirls bring it all out to prove their case. The Day 2 PRCA sanctioned showdown had all the athletes laying it all on the line with only 2 performances left to prove that they are the best at what they do. From the opening ride of the Bareback horses to the closing bell of the raging Bulls the action was strong and exhilarating at the Metro Park in Great Falls, Montana.

To start the night the Bareback Broncs came out with a vengeance and made the athletes work for every second of their rides. In the end, Sam Petersen of Helena, Montana had a decisive victory with a 90 point ride on J-J’s “Damn Straight” to take home $2911.89. The 2nd place spot was taken by Richmond Champion of Stevensville, Montana with an 86.5 ride on “Delta Hawk”, followed by Tristan Hansen from Dillon, Montana with an 80.5 ride on “Silver Screen”. Out of 11 matchups, only eight athletes went all eight seconds. The Average currently has Richmond Champion in 1st with 165.5 points followed by Sam Petersen in 2nd with 164 points and a tie for 3rd place by Will Norstrom, Tristan Hansen and Trevor McAllister all with 161 points.

Next on the ticket came Steer Wrestling with some big and burley steers to test the sheer will of the bulldoggers. The steers didn’t take it easy on the Cowboys and made them work for every bit of their performance, but in the end, someone always has to come out on top and on this night it was Jaden Whitman of Whitehall, Montana with a 5.2 second battle to take home $2936.96. Cole Detton of Great Falls, Montana took 2nd place with a 5.8 second performance followed by Luke Gee from Stanford, Montana in 3rd with a 6.0 second encounter. Only 7 athletes out of the lot of 12 were able to qualify their matches which left Jaden Whitman (11.3) in first place of the Average, followed by Ty Erickson (11.4) of Helena, Montana in 2nd, Luke Gee (11.9) in the 3rd place spot and Brady Boyce (18.1) in 4th.

Team roping saw some amazing performances with the animals being quick and crafty but the horses and Cowboys proved to be up to the game with blazing fast ropes, and steady mounts to help them get their jobs done. The 1st place spot went to the McInerney family (Brent & Tanner) from Alzada, Montana with a 4.8 second Head & Heel job to take home $2936.96 each. Gunner Plenty of Garryowen, Montana and Mason Trollinger of Lodge Grass, Montana placed 2nd with a 5.1 second run taking home $2202.72 each and next up in 3rd was Dillon Johnson from Belt, Montana and Colton Fisher from Shepherd, Montana with a 7.5 second run. That places Gunner Plenty and Mason Trollinger (11.0) in 1st place for the Average with Dillon Johnson and Colton Fisher (14.5) hot on their tails in 2nd and Dustin Bird and Ryan Zurcher (22.8) in 3rd place. Jon Peterson and Arye Espenscheid (23.4) round out the top 4 spots currently.

The ever exciting Saddle Bronc riding had the fans on the edge of their seats, watching the Broncs do everything they can to throw their riders and prove their dominance on the dirt floor of the arena. With 12 horses and 12 Riders on the lineup it was an exciting showdown and a performance that did not disappoint. When the dust settled the fans saw Sage Newman from Melstone, Montana take home 1st place with an 89 point ride on J-J’s “Baby Bugs” out of the famous “Bugs Bunny”, Sage took home $2936.96 to add to his winnings. Josh Davison of Miles City, Montana finished 2nd with an 85 point ride while Jesse Kruse of Bridger, Montana took 3rd with an 84.5 second ride. 10 out of the 12 cowboys covered their rides, leaving the Average scores with Sage Newman sitting in 1st (174.5), Josh Davisson in 2nd place (164), Jesse Cruz in 3rd (161.5) and Logan Nunn in 4th (160.5).

The Breakaway Roping was the ladies’ first chance to show their prowess and athleticism of the night. Fast and furious, they came in hot and left the fans wanting more, but when the horses stopped and the calves were ushered out, the win went to a tie between Joey Williams of Goldberg, Montana and Katy Williams of Big Timber Montana, same last name but no relation between the two just a great showing of their abilities with 2.3 seconds on the performance clock and each taking home $2569.84. 3rd place went to Dusti Bird of Cut Bank, Montana with a 2.6 second run and 4th was captured by Jayce Fortier of Billings, Montana with a 2.7 second run. In the end of the second night, the Average standings now has Jacey Fortier in 1st place with 4.7 seconds while 2nd place is held by Joey Williams with 5.0 seconds and 3rd is Celie Salmond at 5.5 seconds.

The tiedown roping segment of the evening was exciting and saw fast calves, but faster, horses and quick hands from the Cowboys. The win of the evening went to Dillon Hahnkamp of Melrose, Montana with a 7.9 second run and taking home $2936.96. 2nd place went to Chantz Webster of Ponder, Texas with an 8.0 second run closely followed by Shay Keller from Rockglen, Saskatchewan with an 8.5 second run for the Canadian cowboy. The Average times are now held with 1st place Dillon Hahnkamp with 19.1 seconds, 2nd place has Trevin Baumann in the seat with 22.1 seconds and 3rd place is Shey Keller with 26.1 seconds.

The ladies barrel racing came next and was a great time as always with some incredible times and unfortunate heartbreaks with barrels and spirits knocked over. The quickest time of the night goes to Taylor Gardner of Purple Springs, Alberta, Canada with a 13.08 second run and taking home $2936.96. The second fastest times of the evening went to a tie between Lisa Warfield of Helena, Montana and Ashley Day of Volborg, Montana with a 13.15 second performance. Running down the 4th place spot was Brittney Cox of Chinook, Montana with 13.54 seconds. Chasing the Average win holds Taylor Gardner in 1st with 26.13 seconds followed closely in 2nd by Lisa Warfield with 26.40 seconds and Brittany Cox holding 3rd with 27.00 seconds, Ashley Schad sits in the 4th place spot and is not to be counted out holding a 27.30 second, average score.

The last and final event of the evening always goes to the Bull Riding contest, and it was another night of man versus beast where the Cowboys try prove they can hold up to one of Mother Nature’s strongest warriors. When the dirt quit flying, the fans saw a tie for 1st place between Ruger Piva of Chalice, Idaho on Brookman Rodeo’s “Slinger” and Kobe Whitford of Cut Bank, Montana on Duane Kesler Rodeo’s “Down with the De”, each scoring 85 points and taking home $2525.97. 3rd place was clutched by Payton Fitzpatrick of Polson, Montana with 77.5 points and the 4th place ride went to Hawk Whitt of Thermopolis, Wyoming with a score of 74. While no other riders covered their balls in the lineup of 12 they will have another go round on the third and final show. The Average now shows Payton, Fitzpatrick in 1st at 159.5 followed by a tie for 2nd by Gavin Knutson, Ruger Piva, and Kobe Whitford, respectively.

Night 3 is the final proving grounds where the athletes will get their last chance to show their grit and try to take home the coveted top spots of the season. You’re not going to want to miss the action of the fan packed stadium while the final showdown of the season happens in front of cheering fans, and the entertainment of the Rodeo Clown and the courage of the Bull Fighters. It’s anyone’s game now, but one thing is for sure, it will be a show not to be missed.