NRA Rodeo Thursday at Fair

Things are sure to start off with a few thrills, spills, and chills on the opening night of Grandstand events at the Phillips County Fair as the NRA Rodeo is set to start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 5th.

There will also be a round of slack earlier that day at 10 a.m.

The events at the NRA Rodeo include Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping, Team Roping, Ladies Barrel Racing, Ladies Breakaway Roping, Junior Barrel Racing, and Junior Breakaway Roping, according to the Phillips County Fair website.

The event will be put on and stocked by Treasure State Rodeo, a group of ranchers who provide rough stock and cattle for over 20 NRA Rodeos throughout Montana.

Treasure State Rodeo, provided stock in the Malta NRA Rodeo last month, an event in which rough stock scores were a rare sight.

The PCN caught up with Dewayne Ozark of Glasgow, who provides cattle for the timed events.

"We are glad to be back at the Phillips County Fair," Ozark said. "It has been a few years since we've been there. We appreciate the Fair Board for giving us the opportunity to come back."

Treasure Rodeo also consists of Rick Whitford of Cut Bank, who supplies the bulls and bull-dogging cattle, and Shane Vaira of Richey who supplies the bucking horses. No stranger to the fair, Ozark and Vaira had contracted the Open Rodeos that took place prior to the NRA events.

Ozark was asked what spectators could expect to see at this year's NRA Rodeo.

"This can potentially be very big because of the dates that it lays between," Ozark said. "Glasgow Pro Rodeo gets over on Wednesday night. There will be a lot of contestants in the area."

Though there are no other NRA accredited rodeos happening in the state on Thursday, the Fair Rodeo will have to compete with Sidney and Great Falls for riders.

"It has the possibility of being very big or even the same size as (the Malta NRA Rodeo) was two or three weeks ago," Ozark said.

That day, no rider was able to post a qualifying score.

"Rick's bulls are really pretty good," Ozark said. "They have been bucking people over all summer long."

As far as Shane's horses go, Ozark said that it depends on which horses he brings.

"They are really good, his broncs are," Ozark said.

According to Ozark, the event highly encourages participation for local competitors, having open spots for those that want to be in the slack or in the performance at the main event.

Entries closed at 6 p.m. on Monday night.

Pickup men as of Thursday, July 29, include Ted Brown of Malta, and Walter Ozark of Saco. The announcer will be Garrison Allen of Laurel.

The event will cost $20 to enter for adults and children 13 and older. Admission for Children 12 and under is free!