Northwest Montana Fair's rodeo attracts world's best riders

Several of the athletes registered to compete in the Northwest Montana Fair’s RAM PRCA Rodeo this week are ranked in the top-20 world standings, according to the July 6 issue of ProRodeo magazine.

The Northwest Montana Fair’s rodeo is the largest outdoor rodeo in Montana. Events include bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.

Bobby Mote of Culver, Ore. and Curtis Cassidy of Donalda, Alberta are ranked third and eighth respectively for all-around winnings in the PRCA’s 2012 season. Mote is registered to compete in the bareback riding and team roping events, and Cassidy is registered for the tie-down roping and steer wrestling events.

Other athletes who made the top-20 list include Jacobs Crawley and Sterling Crawley of College Station, Texas and Cody Angland of New South Wales, Australia, all of whom are registered for the saddle bronc riding event. They are ranked seventh, 14th and 15th respectively in saddle bronc riding for the 2012 season.

Tie-down roping at next week’s Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo has attracted four athletes who made the top-20 list for that event: Hunter Herrin of Apache, Okla. is ranked third; Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La. is ranked fourth; Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas is ranked sixth; Logan Hofer of Magrath, Alberta is ranked 18th. Matt Reeves of Cross Plains, Texas and Sean Santucci of Prineville, Ore. are ranked 11th and 13th worldwide in steer wrestling and are registered for the event next week.

“Kalispell is known throughout the PRCA circuit as a great place to participate. The crowds are very supportive and the stock is always tough but fair,” said Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell.

The 2012 Northwest Montana Fair’s RAM PRCA Rodeo is scheduled for Aug. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Tickets for the rodeo, which is sponsored by Don K, can be purchased at the fairgrounds office or online at www.nwmtfair.com.

Special to this year’s rodeo is Team Ghost Riders, an act featuring dogs, monkeys, and a former bull fighter. Tim “Wild Thang” Lepard of Tupelo, Miss. and his animals have been awarded “Comedy Act of the Year” three times at the International Finals Rodeo.

Rodeo-goers will also be treated to the ever-popular Indian Relay Races during half-time at each of the three nights. Teams from across the west will compete for cash prizes in this fast-paced competition. And the Justin Mutton Bustin’ sheep riding contest for children ages 5-7 is back again this year. Both events will take place all three nights of the rodeo.

Friday night is Wrangler Patriot Night featuring a special salute to Veterans. Several local Wrangler retailers are offering customers who purchase $50 or more worth of Wrangler apparel a voucher good for one adult admission to Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night’s rodeo. The participating retailers are Western Outdoor and Murdoch’s Home & Ranch in Kalispell, Ronan Sports & Western, and Mountain West Coop in Ronan.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink is featured for Saturday night with all fans and contestants encouraged to wear pink in support of the fight against breast cancer.