The Custer Ranch Rodeo benefiting the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center was born in June 2007.
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The 2008 Custer Ranch Rodeo to benefit the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center was held Sunday, June 29, 2008 and raised over $5,700 for the nonprofit based in Wolf Point.
Third Annual Custer Ranch Rodeo Raises Funds for Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame
The 2009 Custer Ranch Rodeo, a fundraiser for the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF&WHC), brought in nearly $4,000 in cash for the nonprofit based in Wolf Point.
Nearly everything needed to make the ranch rodeo run from stock fees to prizes to volunteer services is donated for this fun benefit event, and generous sponsors make the fundraiser a reality. This year's event was held Saturday, June 20 in Custer, Montana.
The Custer Ranch Rodeo is a joint fundraiser put on by trustees from Districts 3 and 7 for the MCHF&WHC, and is the premier Cowboy Hall of Fame event in an 11-county area from Big Timber to Ekalaka.
The MCHF&WHC thanks the community of Custer for hosting the ranch rodeo and this year made a substantial donation to the Custer Rodeo Club to help with arena improvements. The Custer FFA served concessions at the ranch rodeo, and local youngsters were invited to participate in free kids events. Over 300 people attended the ranch rodeo this year, and afterwards many enjoyed live music at the Junction City Saloon in Custer.
The team that took first at the 2007 Custer Ranch Rodeo reclaimed its place once again this year: Pat O'Neill, Zane Dempewolf, Dan Harrington, and Sam Kortum of Terry rode for the Montana Stockgrowers. The team won both the MCC Rodeo Team Branding event and the Dvorak-Ruff Cow Milking, and member Zane Dempewolf took home the Handiest Cowboy prize, a sterling silver cantle concho made and donated by Arne Esp. The Stockgrowers team was awarded belt buckles and a paid entry fee to the NILE Championship Ranch Rodeo coming up in October.
The Custer Ranch Rodeo sanctioned with the NILE for the first time this year.
The team sponsored by Wavin' Inc. of Broadus - KC & Sarah Verhelst, Blake Rainsdon and Brett Marshall of Pryor took second and won custom trophy saddle blankets donated by Witt's Custom Saddlery, Fandek Saddles & Stirrups, Swanke Saddlery, and Northern Range Cowboy Gear. The Wavin' Inc. team won the Stockman Bank Pony Express Race and earned an extra point for using a cowdog for assistance in the team penning.
Coming in in third place at the ranch rodeo, the team sponsored by the NILE and Gunn-Ready Team Merrill Lynch - Tyrel Tucker, Jolee Goddard, Chad Justus and Clayton Malson of Bridger was awarded with ropes donated by Buckaroo Businesses. Jolee Goddard was not only selected as Handiest Cowgirl for the day winning a custom sterling silver bracelet donated by Arne Esp, but her horse was recognized as the top cowgirl's horse. For that honor Jolee took home sterling silver bridle conchos donated by Flat Hat Silver and a Blankenship bit from the Montana Ranch Horse Association.
Winning the award for top cowboy's horse, Nolan Reil was riding for the BLS Horse Sales & First Interstate Bank team along with Ed & Jeanie Verhelst and Kelly Holmquist. Nolan won a custom 16-plait bosal donated by Nate Wald Rawhide. His team also took first in the C&K Meats Team Penning.
Winning the Junction City Saloon Bronc Riding event along with a 20X hat donated by H Bar Hat Works was Jake Hahn of Bridger, scoring an impressive 80 points. His teammates on the Cat Coulee Beds & Birds team included Jess Hahn, Blaine Tucker, and Will Croft.
The broncs for the event were donated by Newman Rodeo of Melstone. The cattle were donated by PV Ranch Co. of Hysham.
The Northern Ag Network team members, Clint & DaLauna Potts, Jason Phipps and John Woodard of Sand Springs won the Keller-Hoffman Team Doctoring event.
Hard luck awards, donated by Law Dog Hat Co. and Perry's Trailer Repairs, went to Rachel Mitchell (riding for the Montana Cattlemen's Association team along with Brad Mitchell and Tom & Taylor Hoatson) and Nate Roskelley (riding for the PV Ranch along with Bridger Boyd and Jon & Teal Lind).
A team from Custer (Orrin, Billie Jo, Zande, and Tyrell Waddington) rode for Mid-Rivers Communications and New York Life Insurance.
A team from Pompeys Pillar (Bob Lile, Ciley Highberger, Clint Johannes, and Thad Harris) was sponsored by MCHF Trustees (Don Rieger, Beartooth Travel, Feek Tooke Memorial, Lil Buckaroos Daycare, Jesse LaBree, and the Little Cowboy Bar).
Over 30 kids participated in events dispersed through the ranch rodeo: the Montana ProRodeo Hall & Wall of Fame Dummy Roping, the Eclipse Equine Service Pole Bending, the Holy Rosary Healthcare Keyhole Race, and the Big Sky Custom Panels Boot Race. Winners took home prizes donated by Lextron and Stan Buckles.
Countless volunteers make the Custer Ranch Rodeo a reality. Special thanks this year go to the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, Gary Cunningham Trucking, McKensie Keller and the Peg-A-Way 4-H Club, and Twenty X Panels.
The event would not be possible without the following generous sponsors: Farmer's Union Oil, Yellowstone County News, Western Ag Reporter, Western Ranch Supply, Graphic Imprints, Murdoch's Ranch & Home, Rib & Chop House Miles City, Olathe Boots, Hysham Ace Hardware, Pocket Creek Ranch, Sugar Factory Vet Clinic, Little Horn State Bank, Treasure Vet, State Farm Insurance Shan Kuntz Agent, Pat & Lee Anne Murphy, and Montana Living Magazine.
Photos of the event can be ordered from Dixie Hofer, 406.951.1955.
