GREAT FALLS — The big names claimed the big checks in the first round of the Montana Circuit Finals on Friday.
Fresh off a lucrative appearance at the National Finals Rodeo, Wyoming’s JR Vezain split the go-round win in the bareback with Richey’s Troy Vaira. Each scored an 87.5-point ride. Eight-time NFR qualifier Jessy Davis of Power was third with an 84.
Cut Bank’s Dustin Bird and Helena’s Chase Tryan outpaced the team-roping field with a blazing 4.4-second run.
There were several fast times in steer wrestling, but Bridger Chambers of Stevensville won the go-round with a 4.2-second run. Defending champion Ty Erickson of Helena struggled to a 6.6-second run after finishing second at the NFR in December.
Jesse Kruse, the 2009 world champ, won the saddle bronc with an 83-point ride. He maintains his lead in the year-end standings over Melstone’s Sage Newman, who had the second-best ride on Friday with an 81.5.
Defending tie-down champ Logan Hofer scored a 9.4-second time to lead the average after the first round. Browning’s Nolan Conway is second with a 9.8 time. Hank Hollenbeck of Molt led the all-around standings by more than $11,000 coming in, but failed to earn money in both of his events on Friday.
Conrad’s Becky Fuson claimed the go-round check in the barrel racing with a 13.46-second time. Bull riding only saw two qualified rides, with Edgar cowboy Parker Breding scoring an 84 to keep his grip on the top spot in the year-end standings.
Friday’s Results
Bareback Riding: 1/2 Troy Vaira, Richey 87.5 on Up UR Alley, Kesler Championship Rodeo and JR Vezain, Melstone, 87.5 on Thunder Monkey, Sankey Rodeo, $2,014.31 each; 3. Jessy Davis, Power, 84, $1,151.03; 4. Justin Miller, Billings, 83, $575.51; 5/6. Chase Erickson, Helena and Tristan Hansen, Dillon, 82.5; 7. Cavan Wrzesinski, Boulder, 79; 8. Clint Griffis, Bridger, 72; 9. Chase Redfield, Opheim, 68, No Score – Luke Wozney, Powell and Tucker Zingg, Glendive.
Team Roping: 1. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank/Chase Tryan, Helena, 4.4, $2302.07; 2. Jade Stoddard, Sugar City, ID/Ike Folsom, Dillon, 5.8, $1726.55; 3. Jason Carlson, Two Dot/Zach Schweigert, Livingston, 5.9, $1151.04; 4. Nolan Conway, Browning/Jimmy Cole, Harlem, 7.3, $575.52; 5. Travis Nichols, Helena/Sam Levine, Wolf Creek, 7.6; 6. Cody Tew, Augusta/Matt Robertson, Wickenburg, AZ, 7.8; 7. Brady Tryan, Huntley/Travis Tryan, Billings, 12.1; 8. Clay Robertson, Augusta/Justin Viles, Cody, WY 14.6; No Time – Brady Williams, Hammond/Josh Hodge, Volborg; Max Kuttler, Dillon/Kory Mytty, Lolo; Delon Parker, Worden/Ryan Zurcher, Powell, WY; Britt Williams, Hammond/John Robertson, Polson.
Steer Wrestling: 1. Bridger Chambers, Stevensville, 4.2, $2302.07; 2. Shawn Downing, Saco, 4.3, $1726.55; 3. Scott Guenthner, Provost, AB, 4.5, $1151.03; 4. Tanner Milan, Cochrane, AB, 4.8, $575.51; 5. Josh Boka, Dillon, 4.9; 6. Kyle Callaway, Billings, 5.3; 7. Trevin Bauman, Hardin, 6.0; 8. Ty Erickson, Helena, 6.6; 9. Mike Gollaher, Cascade, 12.6; 10. Will Stovall, Columbus, 12.7; No Times – Jordan Holland, Dillon and Hank Hollenbeck, Molt.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, 82 points on Sweatin Bullets, J Bar J, $2302.07; 2. Sage Newman, Melstone, 81.5, $1726.55; 3. Joe Harper, Paradise Valley, NV, 81, $1151.03; 4. Keenan Reinhardt, Cochrane, AB, 79.5, $575.51; 5. JC DeSaveur, Roberts, 78; 6. Ricky Warren, Hudson’s Hope, BC, 76; 7. Alan Gobert, Browning, 75.5; 8. Tanner Hollenback, Dillon, 74; 9. Josh Reynolds, Ekalaka, 71; 10. Wyatt Thurston, Big Valley, AB; No Score – Chase Brooks, Helena and Josh Davison, Miles City.
Tie Down Roping: 1. Logan Hofer, Magrath, AB, 9.4, $2302.07; 2. Nolan Conway, Browning, 9.8, $1726.55; 3. Jason Schaffer, Broadus, 10.0, $1151.03; 4. Erik Dublanko, Thorsby, AB, 10.1, $575.51; 5. J.C. Crowley, Poplar, 10.9; 6. Chad Johnson, Cut Bank, 11.0; 7. Sam Levine, Wolf Creek, 12.0; 8. Bode Scott, Custer, 12.2; 9. Hank Hollenbeck, Molt, 12.4; 10. Ty Hedrick, Jackson, 12.4; 11. Kevin Peterson, Bozeman, 13.2; 12. Haven Meged, Miles City, 20.4
Barrel Racing: 1. Becky Fuson, Conrad, 13.46, $2302.07; 2. Ashley Day, Volborg, 13.61, $1726.55; 3. Mandy Bishop, Manhattan, 13.62, $1151.03; 4. Rene Cloninger, Helena, 13.70, $575.51; 5. Heather Crowley, Poplar, 13.81; 6. Tara Stimpson, Lodge Grass, 13.82; 7. Ashley Sudan, Whitefish, 13.93; 8. Carmel Wright, Roy, 14.01; 9. Tammy Carpenter, Kalispell, 14.03; 10. Lindsay Kruse, Winston, 14.39; 11. Shelly Anzick, Shepherd, 18.23; 12. Carrie Murnion, Jordan, 19.58
Bull Riding: 1. Parker Breding, Edgar 84 points on Buffalo Jump of New West Rodeo, $3165.34; 2. Gerald Eash, Trego, 80, $2589.82; No Score – Devon Mitchell, Shepherd; Tucker Zingg, Glendive; Connor Murnion, Jordan; Josh Davison, Miles City; Clay Applegate, Deer Lodge; Luke Gee, Stanford; Beau Nordahl, Bozeman; Tristan O’Neil, Valier; Hawk Whitt, Thermopolis, WY; and Guy Nordahl, Huntley.
