2021 P.C. Fair NRA Rodeo

The Phillips County Fair Rodeo kicked off Grandstand events with a bang and plenty of action last Thursday, August 5.

A few locals were able to participate in the event, including barrel racers Kelsie Robinson of Saco, and Morgan McEwen of Malta.

McEwen, who turned 14 on Saturday, August 7, was the lone Phillips County rider to bring home cash, taking third place in the Jr. Barrell Racing Event with a time of 18.57 seconds. She was asked how it felt to perform at the Fair.

"It was pretty cool to do in front of everybody," McEwen said.

She felt that the production of the event went well and she was proud of her father Jerry McEwen for his efforts in helping put it on.

McEwen also kicked her night off in a familiar place, riding around the arena with the American Flag in hand during the Star-Spangled Banner.

"I like doing that," McEwen said. "It's one of my favorite parts."

Robinson, who moved to Saco a couple of years ago, participated in her first Phillips County Rodeo. She shared what she thought of the crowd that day.

"I heard the crowd all the way back at my trailer so I knew they were enjoying themselves!" Robinson said. "The announcer was very good at keeping them involved."

She said that she typically doesn't hear much while she is competing, but that day was different.

"My horse sure eats up the loud cheering," Robinson said with a laugh. "I'm happy Phillips County added in the NRA this year. I always love competing in hometown rodeos because more of my family and friends can come and watch and that's what means the most to me!"

Robinson posted a time of 17.20 seconds, just missing the top four prize spots. Chinook's Brittney Cox won the Ladies Barrel Racing event with a time of 15.87 ($391.04), Bozeman's Shannon Beaupre was second with a time of 16.19 ($293.28) and Chinook's Laura Kleinjan was third with 16.35 ($195.52).

Harlem's Ty Kittson was first in the Jr. Breakaway Roping with a blazing time of 2.7 seconds ($172.80). Mitch Dutton of Great Falls was second with a time of 3.6 seconds ($129.60), and Trestin Cole of Harlem was third with a time of 6.0 ($86.40).

The largest prize of the night was awarded to Havre's George Marcenko who won the tie-down roping event with a time of 10.9 seconds. Marcenko won $481.28. Hobson's Carson Stevenson and Quinn McQuery tied for second and won $300.80.

Treasure State Rodeo's rough stock gave bull riders fits as Bucky McAlpine of Anaconda was the only rider to post a qualifying time on a bull last Thursday. He had a score of 69 and took home $272.60.

Garrett Goggin of Otter, Mont., had a top score of 66 in the Bareback Riding event. He won first and $255.68. McAlpine was second in the event with a score of 65 ($191.76) and Bozeman's Nathanial Dearhamer was third with a score of 58 ($127.84).

David Madison and John Graham of Glasgow won the team roping event with a time of 6.5. The duo won a total of $409.84. Havre's Jade Nystrom and Dennis Barta were second with a time of 7.0 (307.38), Ben Ayre and Bill Ayre were third with a time of 8.6 ($204.92).

The Saddle Bronc event was won by Andrew Evjene who posted a score of 73 ($380), second went to Joseph Priebe of Cody, Wyo., who had a score of 71 ($225.60), and third place went to Brand Morgan of McAllister who had a score of 68 ($150.40).

Ladies Breakaway was won by Bella Fossum of Billings who had a time of 2.9 ($255.68). Havre's Allee Bartlett was second with a time of 4.6 ($191.76).

Cole Dutton of Great Falls won Steer Wrestling with a time of 10.8 ($233.12) and Hobson's Taten Erickson was second with a time of 27.1 ($174.84).