Rodeo action set for this weekend

Rodeo fans wanting to take in some rodeo action this weekend can find events featuring adult and youth competitors at the Great Northern Fairgrounds Saturday, and spectators are welcome free of charge.

The morning will start off with The Showdown Breakaway Roping at 9 a.m., with two runs for all competitors and anyone with two catches advances to the short round for top placings. Competitors will vie for a guaranteed $2,000 added purse and prizes, and the winner of the roping qualifies for the Rope for the Crown in Las Vegas in December.

Breakaway ropers who want to enter the competition, which is a World Champions Rodeo Alliance sanctioned event, can pay an added $30 late fee on top of the $150 entry and still compete. Sign-up begins at 8 a.m. For more information, email [email protected].

The Great Northern Barrel Race competition starts at 1:30 p.m. co-sanctioned by Montana Barrel Horse Association and “U” Barrel Race Championships, the open rides will pay out an added $500 and youth rides will have $100 added.

Barrel racers looking to compete Saturday need to sign up before 12:30 p.m. Cost is $40 for open competition and $20 for youth. Competitors can also take advantage of a time only practice run for $5 and starting at 12:45 p.m. The competition is a UBRC Gunslinger Qualifier. For more information, call Lindsay Lowe at 406-239-4898.

Running in conjunction with these two events are the MSU-Northern Rodeo Vegas Tuffest Qualifier Sidepots for riders 19 and younger. As the name says, the sidepots, or side runs, are qualifiers for the Mike and Sherrylynn Johnson Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship Dec. 2-7 in Las Vegas.

The sidepots, which include breakaway and tiedown roping, barrels and goat tying, are open to girls and boys age 19 and younger. The stock events will have an added $100 charged per head, plus a $10 office fee. If enough competitors pre-register, slack will be run tonight at 6 p.m. at the Great Northern Fairgrounds.

Youth wanting to enter on the morning of the event will need to bring their birth certificate to verify their age. For more information on this competition, people can call 945-1329.