Ranch Rodeo impresses at fair

The Fairground Grandstands were pretty full for the Phillips County Nile Sanctioned Ranch Rodeo last Sunday, August 6 at 1 p.m.

The rodeo featured eight teams vying to win their spot in the Nile, an event set to take place on Saturday, August 14. The annual event, which had been held at the Trafton Park arena saw a change in scenery along with a large crowd of around 2,000 in attendance.

The event was won by Reid Ranch of Blackfoot Idaho, who was fresh off of a win in the Great Falls Ranch Rodeo, one day prior.

"We did really good," Justin Palmer, captain of the Reid Ranch said. "We ended up just barely snaking out and winning first."

Palmer enjoyed seeing the size of the crowd at the P.C. Fair.

"You've got a really good crowd," Palmer said. "We have been to a lot bigger rodeos with a lot smaller crowds. This was really good support for a small rodeo like this."

Having qualified for the Nile Ranch Rodeo, Palmer was thankful.

"We are really excited," Palmer said. "We have qualified for that Nile for countless years. We have gone a lot and have won it a few times but we are really excited to see what we can do. God is good and it's been fun."

Taylor Merrill, a member of the Reid Ranch shared his thoughts on the win.

"It was a close rodeo," Merrill said. "It came down to the bronc riding, so it was pretty nip and tuck until the last event, so we are pretty happy we pulled it away."

Reid Ranch posted the best time in branding, setting a mark of 1:06 as the opening run of the entire event. They were fourth in trailering with a time of 1:40. The team failed to set a time in doctoring but made up in their herculean efforts during wild cow milking, posting a speedy top time of fifty-one seconds.

"They had tough teams and tough cows here," Palmer said. "It was just a matter of getting in there quick, getting tough and not quitting."

The rodeo was pretty close with only the bronc ride remaining. Reid Ranch and Olsen Ranch were pretty close.

"I knew I had to beat the Olsen Ranch to win the rodeo, so I was trying to get it under control so I could pull a hand or do something so I just gain some extra points," Merrill said.

Merrill, indeed sealed the win for Reid Ranch by posting a score of 82 in his saddle bronc ride as he rode a horse named "50 Shades."

As for the showmanship Merrill displayed, it seemed as if he was a little close to the gate near the end of his ride.

"I should've pulled it sooner but you live and learn," Merrill said. "I'll do it next time."

Ted Brown of the Salveson Ranch and Dakota Gustad of Steppler's Ranch each posted a score of 81 in the saddle bronc portion of the event. Guy Simanton of Olsen Grain posted a score 79 and Paul Warren of W Lazy A Ranch posted a ride of 77. Jack Switzer of Handy / Switzer Ranch posted a score of 68. Ty Murphy of Overpass Ranch and Wayne Dewitt of Fork You Cattle each nearly posted times but ultimately were bucked off.

Malta's Jeremy Pierce, a member of the Olsen Ranch was happy with the event's turnout.

"I think the rodeo went really well," Pierce said. "I was shocked at the crowd. To have that many people here, it was a very good thing."

In addition to taking third place as a team, Pierce's horse had been chosen for the event's Top Horse title.

"We did really good," Pierce said. "We had one miss out in the cow milking and that's the way it is."

Pierce admitted that having a berth to the Nile Ranch Rodeo, adds some pressure.

"It always adds a little pressure but the pressure goes away the minute I get into the arena, I never even see anybody or hear anybody. I just focus on what I do," Pierce said.