Youths shine in Havre Junior Rodeo

The Great Northern Fair officially got underway Wednesday and the Junior Rodeo, one of the signature events of fair week, helped kickoff things in style.

The Junior Rodeo, which had competitors as young as 4 and as old as 18 was held inside the arena at the Great Northern Fairgrounds and featured all the traditional rodeo events with kids competing from across the Hi-Line and the entire state of Montana.

Over the course of the evening there were a number of participants who set themselves apart from the field, but no one had a bigger night than Kenzie Kallenberger who finished either first or second in three different events. Kallenberger finished first in barrel racing and pole bending for the 4-8 age group, while also winding up second in goat untying.

Ross Valdez was another standout, who took home first place in sheep riding in the 4-8 age group and first in the boot race competition. Cole Hould also had a stellar night finishing first in breakaway roping and steer riding among the 9-13 age group, while also being part of the first-place team in team roping with Reece Miller.

Other event winners from Wednesday night include Colter Solomon, who took home first place in goat untying, Ty Kittson, who won the flag race, Nyis Colliflower, who was first in barrel racing for the 9-13 age group and Connor Bender, who took home the title in bull riding.

In pole bending for the 9-13 age group, it was J’Lynn Stiffarm that finished first, while other top finishers were Austin Miller, who won the chute dogging competition for the 13-16 age group, Georgia Orahood, who was first in the 9-13-year-old goat tying and Brietta Boyce, who was tops in pole bending for the 14-18 age group. Frankie Orahood also won breakaway roping among the 14-18-year-olds and Kate Harvey finished first in 14-18 barrel racing.

Outside of the individual event winners, other participants who placed and took home prizes include Alex Four Colors, who was second in the 4-8 barrel racing, Karter Scheele, who was second in 4-8 sheep riding and Cassie Gibson, who was second in the 4-8 pole bending.

In the 9-13 age group, Dyauni Boyce finished second in breakaway roping, Savannah Jones was second in barrel racing and Rebecca Stoh came in second in both pole bending and goat tying.

At the 14-18 age level Sierra Jones found herself finishing second in pole bending, Melvin Morsette was second in breakaway roping and Sable Swinney managed to place in second in the barrel racing. Lane Allen also finished second in bull riding and Ryan Bell was second in the flag race.

The action at the Great Northern Fairgrounds will continue Thursday with the Great Northern Ram Rodeo, which starts tonight at 7.