Press Release Header
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
McCall Linke, Communications Director
Northern International Livestock Exposition
(406) 256-2495
Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo is this Saturday, July 22
Billings, MT-- $10,000 in prize money is at stake for contestants at the Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo this Saturday, July 22. 

It's the 98th anniversary for the Big Sky Country State Fair in Bozeman. Many traditions are still alive and well, including the Ranch Rodeo that represents the ranch way of life in Montana. Organizers have worked hard on building a large purse to increase team quality--which then in turns makes better watching for spectators and better reward for the competitors. 

The Bozeman Roundup includes a variety of hair-raising events including wild cow milking, sorting, branding, doctoring and trailer loading. In the wild cow milking, one contestant must rope a cow while teammates must wrangle and milk her. All teams compete at once, making for a particularly wild and entertaining event. 

Trailer loading, also favored by rodeo fans, challenges teams to rope a steer, load him in the trailer, load two horses with him, and finish with all team members jumping in the pickup truck. Time stops when the truck doors close. The calamity is akin to ranchers having to rope a critter in the big open with no help from corrals, in order to take him back to the home place or to town.

Much like a PRCA rodeo, the Bozeman Roundup showcases bronc riding. The scoring is a bit different in ranch rodeo--contestants are judged on style, control, degree of difficulty and creativity. Some cowboys go all out with costumes, waving hats and other amusing charms during their ride.

In addition to the team sorting and doctoring, the hide race is new in 2017. Two contestants at a time race from one end of the arena to the other dragging a cowhide. A cowboy risks his pride by being the hide rider. The rider must make it all the way to the barrel and back to qualify in this timed event. The hide race isn't so much a replica of real work, as it is a show of ranch life fun.

The Bozeman Roundup is Saturday, July 22 features two "long go's" with a performance of the first ten teams at 2 p.m. and the second ten teams at 7 p.m. On Sunday, July 23, the top five teams from each go will compete in the finals at 2 p.m.

All performances of the Bozeman Roundup, sponsored by Belgrade News, are held in the Anderson Arena at Gallatin County Fairgrounds during the Fair. This rodeo and all events are free with Fair admission. 

The teams competing are:

CA Ranch from Firth, ID
Jason Steffler, Tyrell Steffler, Mark Broger and Abigale Broger
Steffler Ranch from Firth, ID
Jason Steffler, Tyrell Steffler, Jacob Rose, Eric Johnson, and Sarah
Rose Cattle Co. from Three Forks, MT
Jacob Rose, Eric Johnson, Dusty Holland, and Cassie Holland
Crazy M Ranch from Martinsdale, MT
Joe Pierce, Jeremy Pierce, Liz Pierce, Guy Simatrom, and Ross Salsberry
Cow Camp Supply from Fairfield, MT
Sparky Wallaus, Luke Hutchinson, Jo Beth Hutchinson, and Travis Brereton
Reid Ranch from Idaho Falls, ID
Justin Palmer, Jess Reid, Kip Hunter, Brandi Hunter, and Jak Christensen
Sargent Ranch from Shawmut, MT
Wes Sargent, Lydia Sargent, Dale Sargent, Colton Kinsey, and Ryder Bricker
Hamilton Ranch from Twin Bridges, MT
Jaime Wood, Sam Wood, Shane Sorden, Madison Sorden, and Cooper Jenkins
Mission Ranch from Livingston, MT
Austin Stoltzfus, Jaimie Stoltzfus, Joe Swartz, Jess Bainter, and Cole McKinney
The Other Guys from Melville, MT
Corson Davis, Clay Bennett, Kate Indreland, Ty Plaggemeyer, and Greeley Schuman
Maxwell Butte Ranch  from Powderville, MT 
Lane Krutzfeldt, Jake Goddard, Alec Haughian, John Henry Beardsley, and Ava Rankin
Kid Kelly  from Three Forks

The winning team from the Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo will compete at the Farstad Oil Ranch Rodeo Finals at the NILE Saturday, October 14 at 7 p.m. in Billings, Montana. The NILE is proud to have the Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo as one of the sanctioning partners.

For more information call Lori Cox (406) 582-3270
Sargent Ranch competing at the NILE in 2014
The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) is a non-profit organization 501(c)5 established in 1967 that is dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education, and respect of the western tradition.  For more information on the NILE call (406) 256-2495 or visit  www.thenile.org . The 2017 NILE is October 14-21 in Billings, Montana.