Havre barrel racer headed to Montana Circuit Finals

Every year, at least one Havre or Hi-Line cowboy or cowgirl makes it to Montana's championship in the sport of rodeo. And, the 2016 will be no different.

This weekend marks the 37th Annual Montana Circuit Finals, which, as always, will be held in Great Falls at the Montana ExpoPark. And Havre barrel racer Emily Kallenberger will be there.

Kallenberger, the wife of Montana State University-Northern rodeo team coach Doug Kallenberger, had a big season on the circuit. She finished second in the barrel racing standings, and just over $14,ooo along the way.

Kallenberger trails star barrel race Lindsay Kruse by $3,000 in the standings, but she will go into the circuit finals with a chance to claim a Montana Circuit Finals championship, and earn a spot in the Dodge Ram Circuit Finals later this winter. That event has moved from its home in Pocatello, Idaho to Kissemmee, Florida.

Heading into this weekend's rodeo in Great Falls, which will have three performances, Hank Hollenbeck of Molt is leading the All-Around standings, while Jessey Davis of Power has a slim lead in the bareback standings, which should be one of the most hotly contested events this weekend. Former NFR standout Jesse Kruse of Great Falls has a big lead in the saddle bronc riding.

Other leaders heading into the finals include Mike Gollahar of Cascade in the steer wrestling, Shawn Bessette of Great Falls and Sid Sporer of Cody in the team roping, NFR qualifier Parker Breding in the bull riding and Hollenbeck in the tie-down roping.

The 2016 Montana Circuit Finals will have performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. All the action takes place at the Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls.