BIGFORK — The Montana PRCA rodeo tour took a stop in Bigfork last weekend for the second year in a row.
In that competition, we saw cowboys and cowgirls have a number of great rides, but one of the cooler things about last weekend was all the local talent.
“It’s been in my family since, I mean, my grandpa did it, my dad did it and I do it. So, just one of those things I’ve always done and always just craved it and had a passion for it,” said Tyler Houle.
“Growing up on one of my dad’s best friends’ son lived 500 yards down the road and that’s all they really did was steer wrestle,” said Kris Anderson.
Houle and Anderson have been steer wrestling in western Montana since they were just kids.
Anderson is a local cowboy from Hamilton, while Houle is from Polson.
Both riders have had a tough season thus far, as Anderson sits at 22nd in the Montana PRCA steer wrestling circuit, while Houle has yet to enter the standings.
“First couple rodeos were pretty slow, and I’ve been getting lucky every once in a while — go here and go there and win some money,” Houle said. “But it’s really starting to pick up now. Right in the middle of summer now, lots of good rodeos coming up and lots to look forward to.”
“Couple of months ago I got second up in Kalispell, I was second in the circuit not too long ago,” Anderson said. “But this fourth week’s been kind of slow. It’s started to pick up here the last couple of days and we’ve got a couple more and hopefully end it strong.”
Both those riders were hoping to go big last weekend with the home crowd watching.
“I definitely get a little more nervous because I know everyone is here. I like to perform for friends and family,” Houle said with a grin on his face.
“I like it because of the crowd, the atmosphere, and just the noise,” Anderson said. “It gets you pumped up and excited. It’s kind of cool because it’s close to Hamilton. My mom and dad are coming up.”
