Summer Rodeo Guide 2018

tHe

2M o0n t1a n8a SuMMeR

a S P e C i a L P u B L i C at i o n o F t H e B o Z e M a n d a i LY C H R o n i C L e

2

| summer rodeo guide 2018

t fi t u O

e f i L r You

est part of Perhaps the b opping a Murdoch’s sh at you don’t experience is th wgirl or a have to be a co be authentic. ranch hand to to be you.

You just have

CLOTHING * FOOTWEAR PET * FENCING * HARDWARE

rkwear Fashion & wo u inspired by yo

LAWN & GARDEN * AUTO * TOOLS TACK * ANIMAL HEALTH

Bozeman, MT | 406.586.8466 • Four Corners, MT | 406.587.6302

contents Rodeo introduction............................................................................................ 3 Nordahl hitting stride in bull-riding career....................................... 4 Rodeos around the State.................................................................................. 6 Anderson couple bonds through rodeo lifestyle.............................. 9 How competitors train for specific events......................................... 12

EDITOR/WRITER Paul Schwedelson DESIGN Christine Dubbs ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Cindy Sease

sUmmer rodeo GUide 2018 |

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR

RoDeo

rodeo season in montana kicks into high gear this month and the rest of the summer. the sport, popular in the american west, features various events that are decided either by fastest time or a score determined by judges. inside this guide, read about a bull rider who has recently found success, a married couple that bonds through rodeo and how competitors train for various events. You can also find a calendar that features rodeos around the state this summer.

3

| sUmmer rodeo GUide 2018

BeAU noRDAHL

HITTING STRIDE IN BULL-RIDInG cAReeR

Photo by dan Hubbell

4

sUmmer rodeo GUide 2018 |

B

eau nordahl watched about 30 bull riders get bucked off while he waited for his turn at last october’s northern international livestock exposition rodeo.

later than most, he’s caught up and finished

erything else occurring at the arena and sim-

seventh in last season’s Montana Pro Rodeo

ply focus on what the bull will do and how

bull-riding standings.

he’ll react.

The first rodeo of Montana’s 2017-18 circuit

cused on football, wrestling and baseball in

me to go, I really just have to clear everything,

high school.

clear my mind.”

featured many of the world’s best competing at a packed MetraPark in Billings due to the scheduling of other circuits.

Right before Nordahl’s turn, Devon Mitchell lasted the required eight seconds and recorded the first score of the competition with 82 points. Feeling the momentum from Mitchell’s ride, Nordahl had a positive gut instinct. The bulls at the event had been bucking hard and he expected the same.

That set the stage for Nordahl’s 87 points, which required “everything I had,” he said.

Despite sitting in first, he wasn’t certain the result would hold. Following Nordahl, Garrett Smith, another top competitor, notched an 86. No one else lasted long enough to record a score. Nordahl considers it the best win of his career.

“Beating them made me realize I could definitely compete with anybody at any level,” Nordahl said. “I just have to put my mind to it and focus and I've definitely learned the more work I put into it, the more success I have.”

Nordahl, 29, has performed his best recently, qualifying for the Montana Circuit Finals each of the past three years and

Before reaching that point, Nordahl transferred from Montana State to Montana, where his father, Kevin, served as a coach for the rodeo team. Beau grew up in Frenchtown and rode bulls from age 7 to 13, but fo-

“Some events are a lot bigger and the crowds are a lot bigger,” Nordahl said. “It's really exciting to be around all that stuff and it adds to the sport a lot but once it's time for

During football season his senior year, Nor-

While his rodeo career has blossomed,

dahl tore his anterior cruciate ligament. The in-

Nordahl recognized the need for a full-time

jury halted his three-sport desires. He enrolled

job to make a living that will last beyond his

at MSU but didn’t join the Bobcats’ rodeo team.

days competing. He works as an engineer for

Two years later, he reunited with his father in Missoula and attended a couple practices.

Kevin won seven circuit titles in Montana and Beau remained interested in bull riding years after watching him growing up. So, he decided he wanted to pursue bull riding and potentially have a professional career.

Montana Rail Link doing track maintenance and replacing rails. The combination of travel for both has taken a toll on Nordahl but he’s crafted a flexible schedule to accommodate his rodeo plans.

The busy lifestyle also comes with dealing

“It was good for him and his dad,” Guy

with pain. “If you can’t compete with pain, ro-

Nordahl, Beau’s cousin, said. “They have a

deo’s definitely not your sport,” Nordahl said.

pretty good relationship. ... It was really good

He injured nerves in his hand in Kalispell in

for Beau when he went back to Missoula because he could kind of find his calling.”

In Beau’s second year at UM, he reached the College National Finals Rodeo. Prior to college, he hadn’t competed at a high lev-

February, which prevented him from riding.

A couple weeks later, he tested it out in Tucson, Arizona, but couldn’t keep his hand shut.

The injury sidelined Nordahl for about four

el. Only a couple years later, Beau ranked

months before he returned in early June. With

among the country’s best.

his health back in tact, he placed second at

Guy saw it as a turning point. His cousin took the sport serious. The time he invested to prepare paid off with results.

the Dusty Gliko Bull Riding Challenge in Great Falls, returning to his successful form and gearing up for another summer.

“He had the talent for sure, just didn't have

culminating in October’s victory. After mov-

Throughout the years, Nordahl’s kept the

ing to Bozeman six years ago, he enters the

same approach. He understands the risks

the confidence,” Guy said. “Now that he has

summer circuit with high hopes. Though

of bull riding but doesn’t get nervous before

all that going for him, he's really stepping up

Nordahl began bull riding at a high level

competing. Instead, he tries to block out ev-

his game.”

5

| summer rodeo guide 2018

Montana’s rodeo scene kicks into full gear the next couple months. Here’s a schedule of the state’s summer rodeos: JUNE

June 10-11 Poplar Rodeo 2 p.m. Sunday & Monday Poplar Rodeo Arena, US Hwy 2, Poplar rodeousa.com/rodeos/poplar-rodeo

June 15-16 Gardiner Upper Yellowstone Roundup 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday Jim Duffy Arena, 100 Hwy 89 S, Gardiner facebook.com/gardinerrodeo June 16-17 Little Belt Cowboys PRCA Rodeo 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Belt Rodeo Arena, 644 Lewis Street, Belt beltrodeo.com June 16-17 Wilsall Rodeo 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Wilsall Rodeo Arena, US Hwy 89, Wilsall 406-256-6488 June 22 Ft. Benton Summer Celebration & PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday Chouteau County Fairgrounds, 211 Main Street, Fort Benton fortbenton.com/sumcel

Photo by Jackie Jensen

6

June 29-30 Big Timber Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday Sweet Grass County Fairgrounds, Fairgrounds Rd., Big Timber bigtimber.com

JULY

July 2-3 Harlowtown Fourth of July Rodeo 6 p.m. Monday & Tuesday Wheatland County Fairgrounds, 3rd Street Southwest and 2nd Street, Harlowtown wheatlandchamber.com/wccalendar

July 2-4 Livingston Roundup PRCA Rodeo 1 p.m. Sunday Slack, 8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday Park County Fairgrounds, 46 View Vista Drive, Livingston livingstonroundup.com July 2-4 Home of Champions PRCA Rodeo 6 p.m. Monday & Tuesday, 3 p.m. Wednesday Red Lodge Rodeo Association, 101 Rodeo Drive, Red Lodge redlodgerodeo.com July 4 Choteau American Legion Rodeo 2 p.m. Wednesday Choteau Rodeo Grounds, 299 Rodeo Rd., Choteau choteaumontana.us/july4celebration.htm

June 22-23 Little Big Horn Stampede PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Big Horn County Fairgrounds, Center Avenue, Hardin facebook.com/bighornstampederodeo

July 6-7 Bigfork Summer Pro Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Bigfork Rodeo Grounds, 7401 MT-35 bigforkrodeo.com

June 22-23 Mission Mountain Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday Polson Fairgrounds, 320 Regatta Rd., Polson 406-883-1100

July 6-7 Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Blaine County Fairgrounds, 300 Cleveland Road W, Chinook blainecountyfair.net

June 23-24 American Legion PRCA Rodeo 1 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Legion Rodeo Grounds, 120 Main Street, Augusta augustamontana.com/local-events

July 8 Drummond PRCA Rodeo 2 p.m. Sunday Gold Stan Pest 125 Arena, 500 Old Hwy 1 406-288-3479

summer rodeo guide 2018 |

July 12-14 Wild Horse Stampede PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Marvin Brookman Stadium, 6265 Rodeo Road, Wolf Point wolfpointchamber.com

July 26-28 Last Chance Stampede PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds, 98 W. Custer Ave. Helena Lastchancestampede.com

Aug. 10-11 Bozeman PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Gallatin County Fairgrounds, 901 N. Black, Bozeman bozemanstampede.com

July 13-14 East Helena Valley Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday East Helena Rodeo Grounds, Hwy 12 E, East Helena facebook.com/EastHelenaValleyRodeoAssociation

July 27-28 Kootenai River PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday J. Neils Memorial Park, Hwy 37 N, Libby 406-293-4167

Aug. 10-11 Cascade PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Chestnut Valley Arena, 110 Mormon Rd., Cascade rodeocascade.com

July 13-14 Three Forks Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Three Forks Rodeo Grounds, Frontage and S Kansas St., Three Forks threeforksrodeo.com

July 30 Daniels County Fair Rodeo 6:30 p.m. Monday Daniels County Fairgrounds, 2 Golf Course Rd., Scobey cmolson@sdplains.com

Aug. 10-11 Madison County Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Madison County Fairgrounds, 2 Fairgrounds Loop Rd., Twin Bridges 406-684-5824

July 15 C.M. Russell Stampede 1:30 p.m. Sunday Judith Basin County Fairgrounds, 11 3rd Street South, Stanford cmrstampede.com July 20 Great Northern Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday Great Northern Fairgrounds, 1676 US Hwy 2 West greatnorthernfair.net July 20-21 Marias River Stampede PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Thursday & Friday 619 W Marias Fair Road, Shelby mariasfair.com/rodeo July 20-21 Tobacco Valley Rodeo 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday Lincoln County Fairgrounds, 66121 Hwy 37, Eureka 406-297-0518

AUGUST

Aug. 1-4 Big Sky PRCA Pro Rodeo Roundup 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday Montana ExpoPark, 4000 3rd St. NW Great Falls goexpopark.com Aug. 2-3 Richland County Fair & PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Thursday & Friday Sidney Fairgrounds, 2118 W. Holly St. Sidney richlandcountyfairandrodeo.org Aug. 3-4 Superior Lions Club Rodeo 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday Mineral County Fairgrounds, 4th Ave., Superior 406-822-3096 Aug. 3-4 Broadwater County Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Broadwater County Fairgrounds, 189 Hwy 12 East, Townsend townsendfairgrounds.com

July 25-26 Central Montana PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday Fergus County Fairgrounds, 1000 US-191, Lewistown centralmontanafair.com

Aug. 5-6 Northeast Montana Fair & PRCA Rodeo TBD Sunday & Monday Valley County Fairgrounds, 54141 US-2, Glasgow northeastmontanafair.com

July 26-27 Sheridan Saddle Club PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Thursday & Friday Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 4262A Hwy 165, Plentywood www.co.sheridan.mt.us/index.php/Fair/home

Aug. 9-11 Missoula Stampede PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Missoula County Fairgrounds, 1101 South Ave. W, Missoula missoulafairgrounds.com/rodeo

Aug. 11 Dawson County Fair & PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Saturday Dawson County Fairgrounds, 2200 N. Merrill Ave., Glendive dawsonfair.com Aug. 16-17 McCone County Fair & PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Thursday & Friday McCone County Fairgrounds Arena, 14 Fairgrounds Rd., Circle circle-montana.com/m/events Aug. 16-18 Yellowstone River Roundup PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday MetraPark Arena, 308 6th Ave. N, Billings montanafair.com/events Aug. 16-18 Northwest Montana Fair & PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Flathead County Fairgrounds, 265 N. Meridian Rd., Kalispell nwmtfair.com Aug. 17-18 Tri County Fair Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Powell County Fairgrounds, 824 East Side Rd., Deer Lodge 406-691-0582 Aug. 17-19 Fallon County Fair & PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday & Sunday Fallon County Fairgrounds, 3440 Hwy 7, Baker falcofair.com Continued on page 8 >>

7

| summer rodeo guide 2018

Photo by Jackie Jensen

8

Continued from page 7 >>

Ro d e O three

forks

three forks

RodeO s

Rodeo Rodeo Dayz Dayz Street Street Fai Fai

Rodeo 7 pm Nightly friday, july 13th & saturday, july 14th 2018 Gates Open @ 5:30

farmer’s market & stick horse derby thursday 4 - 7 pm street dance friday and saturday slack at the arena - friday 8 am fireman’s breakfast - saturday 6:30-10:30 am parade - saturday 11:00 am rodeo dayz street fair - saturday 8 am - midnight

Tickets/Info: threeforksrodeo.com

Aug. 21-22 Eastern Montana Fair & PRCA Rodeo 7 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday Eastern Montana Fairgrounds, 42 Garryowen Rd., Miles City milescitychamber.com/eastern-montana-fair Aug. 25 Wibaux County Fair Rodeo 7 p.m. Saturday Wibaux County Fairgrounds, 179 Orgain Ave. W, Wibaux 406-252-1122 Aug. 25-26 Jefferson County Rodeo 5 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Whitetail Rd., Boulder jeffersoncounty-mt.gov/fair.html Aug. 30-Sept. 1 Sanders County Fair & PRCA Rodeo 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Sanders County Fairgrounds, 30 River Rd., Plains sanderscountyfair.com Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Ravalli County Fair Rodeo 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday Ravalli County Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Rd., Hamilton 406-363-3411

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 1-2 Dillon Jaycee PRCA Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Dillon Jaycees Association, 712 Railroad Ave., Dillon dillonjaycees.com/monana-s-biggest-weekend Sept. 2-3 White Sulphur Springs Labor Day PRCA Rodeo 5:30 p.m. Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Monday 401 6th Ave. SW, White Sulphur Springs labordayrodeo.com Sept. 2-3 Helmville Labor Day Rodeo 1 p.m. Sunday & Monday Helmville Rodeo Grounds, 564, Ovando Helmville Rd., Helmville 406-793-5711 Sept. 14-16 Copper Spring Ranch PRCA Pro Rodeo Copper Spring Ranch, 601 Pine Butte Rd., Bozeman copperspringranch.com

OCTOBER

Oct. 18-20 NILE PRCA Rodeo MetraPark Arena, 308 6th Ave. N, Billings thenile.org

sUmmer rodeo GUide 2018 |

THROUGH RODEO LIFESTYLE

The two, married since 1995 share a passion for rodeo and the horse industry. They both compete professionally and on the Montana Pro Rodeo circuit — Lisa in barrel racing and Brian in steer wrestling and team roping — and most of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitions feature events they each can enter.

Next weekend will be an exception. Brian will compete Friday at a rodeo in New Town, North Dakota, but it doesn’t include barrel racing. After the competition, Brian, 50, plans on flying to Great Falls to meet Lisa, 52, and they will then drive together to Innisfail, Alberta for a rodeo Saturday. Then, they plan on driving back for a PRCA rodeo in Belt on Sunday.

Continued on Page 10 >>

Bozeman Saddle Outlet 300 00 SADDLES In Stock

New & Used along with all the matching tack!

>> YY >> Circle Circle >> >> High HighHorse Horse We carry >> >>Tucker Tucker Ranch Ropes >> Billy Cook >> Billy Cook 45’ to 60’ >> Dakota >> McCall Dakota >> >> Courts McCall >> >> Custom Courts Saddles by PaulVan Dyke >> >> Pack Saddles >> Pack Saddles >> >> Pack PackEquipment Equipment

Silk Scarves & Silver Jewelr welry

Silver Buckles uckles & Conchos

1772062

e

very once in a while, lisa and Brian anderson will end up at different places during a summer weekend. But this doesn’t happen too often. if it does, they often reunite by the following day.

Photo curiosity of Copper Spring Ranch

AnDeRson coUPLe BonDs

9

10% Off40% All Merchandise, 25% Off Saddles Up to Off Sale Room Saddles * Excludes Specialty Items

Everything always at great low prices 2 Miles S of Four Corners // M-Sat 10-5, Closed Sun // 406-586-8225 // 80155 Gallatin Rd, Bozeman, MT 59715 // bozemansaddleoutlet.com

We Ship

Gift Certificates Available

10 | summer rodeo guide 2018

The Anderson’s travel schedule is busy, to say the least. That’s the case before even factoring in they need to return each week to Copper Spring Ranch, the ranch they both manage in Bozeman.

What keeps the couple going through the hectic lifestyle is their love for rodeos and each other.

“It's the ultimate deal,” Brian said. “We got married because we wanted to be together and we both loved the sport and we love what we do and it's really a blessing to be able to do it together.

Honestly I've been doing it so long, if I couldn't do it with her, I probably wouldn't want to do it.”

While many families compete in rodeos together, few married couples are together on the circuit as much as the Andersons, Brian said. Lisa ranked 16th in barrel racing on the Montana circuit last season and Brian ranked 35th in steer wrestling. Both were born and raised in Montana (Lisa in White Sulphur Springs and Brian in Miles City) but the two met at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Texas.

They both grew up around the sport, but Lisa wasn’t always sure she’d pursue a career in the horse industry. In her early 20’s, she worked as a secretary at Washington State University. After her father had been diagnosed with colon cancer, Lisa asked him what he would like to see her do with her life before he died.

“What makes you happy?” Lisa recalled her father asking.

“Well, what do you think that is, dad?” She responded.

“You need to train horses,” he said.

From that point on, Lisa had a plan for her career.

“It takes a passion to do what we do because it's a lot of hours,” Lisa said. “There's ups and downs. It's more of a way of life than a money-making industry.”

The couple moved here from Moore, Texas about six years ago to manage the ranch. Lisa described her job as “24-7” and her and Brian’s tasks are wide-ranging from training horses to making breeding decisions, managing employees to seeking sponsorships and cleaning stalls to wherever else work must be done. Brian described the situation as “going 100 miles an hour all the time.”

Photo by Jackie Jensen

Continued on page 11 >>

summer rodeo guide 2018 | 11

At a rodeo in San Antonio several years ago, Lisa and her horse were running toward the finish line after curling around the third barrel. Because of his excitement, Brian began running toward Lisa. “I’m going to run you over,” she thought at first.

Brian displayed his enthusiasm for his wife’s events and the potentially dangerous accident never occurred.

“I think I love it more every day,” Lisa said of rodeo. “I appreciate it more every day.”

Photo by Jackie Jensen

Some of their best memories, Brian said, have come from rodeos where neither performed as well as they’d hoped for, but they simply just enjoyed each other’s company regardless. “Families that play together, stay together,” Lisa added.

“I always kind of figured that 40 was almost dead and now I'm 50,” Brian said jokingly. “No, I didn't imagine myself doing it this long but I feel great and don't see myself stopping or Lisa, either one, any time soon. We're healthy and man, we're competitive and we feel good.”

There Is A Difference Hand made Comfort & Quality In stock or Custom

Mens • Womens • Children

Scarves Hats Gloves

Call or visit us in Downtown Bozeman!

1-406-585-8607 • www.cartersboots.com

Belts Purses Vests

Find us on Facebook and at www.3forkssaddlery.com or call us at 406-285-3422

1772065

Hondo Honcho Anderson Bean

Please stop by Three Forks Saddlery for all of your saddle and tack needs. We have a large supply of new and used saddles in stock in addition to our custom saddle pads for the rodeo competitor.

We also repair saddles and tack.

This is our 71st year in business.

12 | sUmmer rodeo GUide 2018

HoW coMPetItoRs

TRAIN FOR sPecIFIc eVents

As

montana’s summer rodeo circuit begins to hit its stride in the coming weeks, cowboys and cowgirls will look to do the same. Based on the events they’re competing in, many of their training regimens have been tweaked in order to perform at those particular tasks.

Here’s a breakdown of how different competitors train and prepare for rodeos. bull Riding

The first time bull rider Guy Nordahl attended a hot yoga class, he was a little nervous. He had done yoga before, but never with the heat element added in. In front of others, he was self-conscious as well.

Midway through the 60-minute session, the instructor announced that if the tasks were too challenging, participants could rest.

“It didn’t take very long for me to lay down,” Nordahl said.

Still, he’s continued to work on his flexibility and cardio, both of which are tested by hot yoga. Nordahl now considers the activity among his favorite ways to prepare his body. He enjoys the mental aspect of pushing himself to last as long as he can before laying down, which also resembles trying to last the required eight seconds in bull riding for a run to count.

Nordahl tries not to bulk up too much and instead prioritizes stretching and core strength, he said, since that’s what helps him when he must remain on the bull for the final couple seconds.

“I know for a fact I can't out-power a bull,” Nordahl said, “so I just try to stay tuned up and flexible and stretched out as much as possible.”

Nordahl’s cousin, Beau Nordahl, takes a similar approach. He’s also embraced hot yoga in recent years and recognizes the importance of stretching. Since riding bulls to practice for rodeos would usually become too taxing on his body, other types of workouts take on a greater role.

Not only does it help competitors remain on the bull longer, Beau said, it also reduces recovery time needed afterward.

“I like to keep my body in the best physical shape I can because I can control that,” he added.

Continued on Page 13 >>

summer rodeo guide 2018 | 13

BARREL RACING To prepare for barrel races, Lisa Anderson rides horses about four to five hours daily, works on leg and core exercises at a gym and also listens to mental preparation audio tapes.

The combination of all three rounds out a routine for herself to gear up both mentally and physically while also helping to prepare horses for competition.

“I feel like being fit is very important because we ride race horses and for my horses, I ride every day,” Anderson said. “I'm a very disciplined person. I feel like they're athletes too. They need to stay fit.”

Anderson manages Copper Spring Ranch in Bozeman and has been training horses for about the past 30 years as well.

TEAM ROPING Swinging a rope used to take a toll on Matt Robertson’s shoulders. The team roper often felt sore and was forced to manage his workload leading up to competitions.

Then nearly 10 years ago, a potential client asked Robertson for roping lessons. After the session began, Robertson warned his trainee that his shoulder may experience soreness if he continued practicing multiple days in a row.

Continued on page 14 >>

14 | summer rodeo guide 2018

The client responded by saying, “I can guarantee you I’m not going to have any shoulder problems,” Robertson recalled. Little did he know, he was working with Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey, who developed an interest in rodeo.

As the two continued working together, Robertson picked up shoulder techniques from Bailey known as Jobe’s exercises.

They’re designed to move the shoulder and rotator cuff in every way possible.

“I figured, well if he can throw a 100 mile an hour fastball, I should be able to swing a rope if I do these exercises,” Robertson said. “Since then, my shoulder has felt really good and it kind of was a catalyst for me to start working out every area of my body.”

Robertson runs a roping camp in Arizona so he’s able to practice year-round. In the past few years, he’s begun working with dummy steers, which allow him to train horses and fine-tune technique without the unknown variables of taking every repetition trying to rope a live animal.

Continued on page 15 >>

Bring this ad to Rocky Mountain Supply in Belgrade and get:

10% OFF ALL TACK, BITS & SPURS 20% OFF ALL CLOTHING

(Excludes 13MWZ jeans, NOT valid with other sale items.)

GOOD LUCK RIDERS! ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUPPLY 350 JACKRABBIT LANE BELGRADE, MT 59714 406-388-4008

Come Discover Bozeman’s...

PREMIER TACK STORE & BOUTIQUE RODEO, EQUINE & FASHION GEAR

SUMMER SALE GOING G OING ON NOW OW NO W SUMME UMMER SALE

mention tion this ad ad & get g 10% Off One Item- some exc exceptions eptions a eptions apply

4 CORNERS SADDLERY

Hours: M-S 10-6 & Sun 11-4 81770 Gallatin Rd. Bozeman, MT 59718

Just South of 4 Corners

(406) 587-7503

1772063

WHETHER YOU’RE A RIDER OR A FAN WE’VE GOT IT ALL!!!

Photo by Jackie Jensen

summer rodeo guide 2018 | 15

Robertson ranked as the top heeler on the Montana circuit last season.

“That's something that I really got into the last five or six years to really take my game to the next level,” Robertson said.

SADDLE BRONC RIDING Montana State senior Keenan Reinhardt competed in saddle bronc riding on the Montana circuit last summer and will do so again this year. He doesn’t go to a gym as often as he said he should but still tries ways to simply stay active and on his feet when he can.

That includes going for a hike or playing with his dog in the evenings, whatever activity he can find to help keep his legs fresh. Reinhardt’s dealt with several injuries throughout his career and staying fit, he said, assists with injury prevention.

“They’re not super strong, they’re just nice, jump kick straight down the pen,” Reinhardt said. “Might give you a little bit of a challenge but you can do everything you need to do and build your ride.”

“Your whole ride comes from your body position,” Reinhardt added. “If your core is really weak, you start (swaying) and you can’t hold yourself where you need to be.”

Photo by Jackie Jensen

During the school year, Reinhardt rides practice horses, who don’t buck as hard as horses in competitions. This allows him to focus on his technique, build stamina and work the muscles in ways he wouldn’t otherwise utilize.

PRESENTED BY THE

10-3 PM SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2018

EXHIBITORS CATERING TO THE LIVES OF THOSE 50+ EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS EVERY 45 MINUTES

FOOD, FUN & MORE

T H E C O M M O N S AT B A X T E R A N D L O V E L A N E

FREE TO THE PUBLIC