Malta NRA Rodeo successful in second year

The 2nd Annual Malta NRA Rodeo is in the books and the event featured plenty of thrills, spills, and chills, despite the temps reaching the mid-nineties during the two-day event.

"I feel like it went well," said Jerey McEwen of the Trafton Park Arena Committee. "It went as well as it did last year. It wasn't as hot. It was just the right size rodeo. Just perfect."

McEwen said that he felt the crowd was entertained and he felt that the hard work had paid off.

Several local riders participated in the event, but only two Phillips County Barrel Racers placed. Kiera Simonson of Loring won the highest amount of cash amongst local competitiors, taking first place in the Ladies' Barrel Racing with a time of 17.48. She won $428.26. Malta's Morgan McEwen took fourth place in Jr. Barrel Racing with a time of 18.82. She took home $43.20.

Maddie McEwen, also of Malta, posted a time of 19.56, and Laynee Simpson of Saco had a time of 23.85.

Malta's Georgia Orahood had a time of 4.3 in Ladie's Breakaway Roping, but the time did not place. The winner was Chalee Harms of Miles City, who had a time of 2.4 seconds.

Friday, July 10, served as day one and featured many cowboys and cowgirls in the slack, but many of those times and scores held up because many competitors had tough luck on Saturday, July 11.

Try as they might, no bull riders had a qualifying ride that day. This included local rough stock rider, Alex Werk.

Despite not posting a score, Werk was a good sport and talked to the PCN after the event. He had also participated in last year's NRA rodeo.

"It had some good competition," Werk said. "Good bulls, good stock. This one (NRA) ranks up there for me."

Alex, a sixteen-year-old, who also is known for his talents on the basketball court in Dodson, said that he prefers rodeo.

"I enjoy rodeo more than basketball," Werk said. "I have more love for rodeo."

Werk has been competing in rodeo for the last five years. He said that his first event was steer riding and that he had success, winning the event multiple times.

There were only two scores in the Saddle Bronc and Bareback events. In Saddle Bronc, brothers Kain Stroh and Qwint Stroh of Dickinson N.D. placed first and second respectively. Kain had a score of 78 and took home $300.80, and Qwint had a score of 73, taking home $225.60.

In Bareback, Treven Coonradt of Dickinson won the first place prize $278.24 with a score of 71 points. Kale Bendelin of Watford City, N.D., took the second-place prize of $208.68, with a score of 60.

Timmy Sparing of Helena won Steer Wrestling with a time of 5.4. He took home $278.24.

Box Elder's Eric Paul Watson took home the largest individual cash prize, winning Tie Down Roping with a time of 10.5 seconds. He took home $571.52. Preston Watson, also from Box Elder, took second in the event with a time of 11.2. He won $428.64.

Brady Tryan and Justin Viles of Cody, Wyo., won Team Roping with a time of 4.3. The duo won $612.88. Dustin Bird and Ike Folsom of Jackson took second with a time of 5.1 and a prize of $459.66.

A few local names participated in the Team Roping event. Cole and Jeff Hould of Malta had a time of 13 seconds.