Locals Shine at 2023 Malta NRA Rodeo

The Trafton Park Rodeo Arena hosted the 2023 Malta NRA (National Rodeo Association) Rodeo last Saturday night.

The fourth rodeo annual event featured the smooth voice of Announcer Robert Toavs as well as exciting commentary by Barrel Man Rob Matteson.

The stock was provided by Treasure State Rodeo and the pickup men were Ted Brown and Ken Salveson. The bullfighters were Koby Ruff and Austin Wagner. Judges were Jim Duvall and Troy Henderson. The timers were Tara Vaira and Lorraine Lukin.

Dodson's Anna Brown and Saco's Royce Strobbe, Formerly Known as The Glitter Queens, wowed the crowd with their Trick riding skills.

Trafton Park Rodeo Arena Committee President Jerey McEwen was asked how he thought the event went.

"Smooth," McEwen said. "It went so smooth that I don't even remember. It was the smoothest rodeo that we have had yet. I think maybe we figured out what we are supposed to be doing."

This year, the arena did not have to stop due to any rider getting injured, though the last two bulls tried to spoil the night. The second to last bull nearly caught McEwen who just made it over the fence, and the last caught Kevin Shettel on the way out of the arena. Both are okay.

"As far as I know, no major injuries and all the cowboys got in and out without getting hurt," McEwen said.

Prior to the event starting, Toavs dedicated the rodeo to Bill Murdock who tragically lost his life last spring in a farming accident.

The roping team of Tanner Anderson (header) and Jesse Benson (heeler), both from Malta, provided their home crowd with the highlight of the night, after winning the team roping event with a time of 7.6 seconds. The pair won $477.52 each.

Anderson was asked how it felt to win the event at home at an NRA Sanctioned rodeo.

"It felt good to make a clean run and get a win," Anderson said. "I guess it's motivation to keep going to more NRA rodeos."

As far as the time, he said that he wanted to get out clean at the barrier, hoping not to get outran by the steer.

"Shayne Bishop was nice enough to let me borrow his horse, he runs hard, so I had the confidence that I could see the steer out and be alright," Anderson said. "I knew Jesse would rope him in front of his hometown. He ropes fast and that makes up a lot of time."

Second place in the event went to Edward Murnion and Lane Krutzfeldt of Powderville who finished with a time of 12.5. They took home $358.14 a piece. Drew Ellingson and Trevor Klind of Glasgow were third in the team roping with a time of 13.7 seconds. They won $238.76 each. Fourth place went to Grady Larson and Cass Cairns of Sidney, who had a time of 18.4 ($119.38 each).

There were no qualified rides in bull riding or bareback riding, but Justin Whiteman won the Saddle Bronc with a score of 71 points. He won $278.24.

James Cochran and Tyrus Lemere tied in the ranch bronc event for first place for first place. Both riders posted a score of 72 and won $835. Rylan Mitchell had a score of 66. Dodson's Alex Werk had a score of 64 and Kadin Racine, also of Dodson, had a score of 62.

Dillon's Ryder Gaasch won the steer wrestling event with a catch at 5.8 seconds.

Gayleen Malone of Pray, Mont., won the ladies barrel racing event with a time of 17.58 ($504.97). Chinook's Brittney Cox was second with a time of 17.67 ($386.15), Julie Brown of Helena was third with a time of 17.71 ($297.04), Jordan's Lacey Lawrence was fourth with a time of 17.73 ($193.08), and Brittney Sporer of Cody, Wyo., was fifth with a time of 17.76 ($103.96).

The ladies' breakaway event featured a two-person tie for first place. Payton Levine of Wolf Creek and Bella Fossum of Billings both had a tie of 2.4 seconds and both went home with $445.56. Tannis Kramer of Shepherd was third with 3.5 seconds ($297.04). Bailey Billingsley of Glasgow was fourth with a time of 4.6 ($193.08), and Blake Ozark of Glasgow was fifth with a time of 4.9 ($103.96).

B. Billingsley also won the junior barrel racing event with a time of 17.72 ($249.60), Bryar Taylor of Forest Grove was second with a time of 17.88 ($187.20), Chancy Akin was third with a time of 17.93 ($124.80), and Lima's Shaylee Broere was fourth with a time of 18.19 ($62.40).

Glasgow's JP Cornwell won the Jr. breakaway roping with a time of 2.7 seconds ($288). Dylan Burger of Helena was second with a time of 2.8 ($216), S. Broere was third with a time of 4.0 ($144), and Rachael Murnion of Jordan was fourth with a time of 4.3 ($72).

The Trafton Rodeo Arena looks forward to hosting the 2023 Craig Mangis Rough Stock Memorial this fall.