Rodeo: Hank Hollenbeck, Luke Gee among champions

All-around championship contender Hank Hollenbeck entered Sunday's last performance of the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals with a slight lead in the standings.

And he wasn't about to sit on it.

"My mindset was to still just go at 'em, keep moving forward and pretend like you're behind," Hollenbeck said.

The Molt rancher had a memorable afternoon, picking up significant checks in both the team roping and tie-down roping, and won his first year-end all-around crown as the 36th annual event concluded before another huge throng at Pacific Steel and Recycling Four Seasons Arena.

"This means the world to me," said the 31-year-old Hollenbeck. "We dream about this as little kids, trying to win an all-around title or being a hand at what we do. It's awesome for me."

Hollenbeck edged Stanford cowboy Luke Gee for the all-around crown. But Gee was also a champion, clinching the circuit year-end bull riding title with a clutch 82-point ride aboard a rank bucker called "Hot Potato."

"It was a good bull. I'd been on him a bunch of times before and I had to ride him today to win it. So that felt good," Gee said.

Gee did not lack for inspiration this weekend.

He said his late grandmother, Jo Ann, who died suddenly last June on the eve of the Belt Rodeo, was foremost in his thoughts.

"She was. I knew she'd be watching," he said. "I was hoping to win both the bull riding and all-around for her. We were real close. All summer I was trying to win for her."

Gee, 24, plans to keep working both ends of the arena.

"I'll be back," he said.

Bound for Kissimmee

Other winners Sunday included Chase Erickson (bareback), Josh Reynolds (saddle bronc), Clayton Miller and Hollenbeck (team roping), Beau Clark (steer wrestling), Chad Johnson and Hollenbeck (tie-down roping), Carmel Wright (barrel racing) and Parker Breding (bull riding).

Circuit year-end winners and those who won the MPRF average, or aggregate, crowns over the three performances of the rodeo earned trips to the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo. That event is about six weeks hence in Kissimmee, Fla.

Like Gee, whose father John has qualified for the MPRF many times in steer wrestling, bull rider Parker Breding of Edgar has a family history at this event. Breding made his father Scott, a former NFR qualifier, proud on Sunday by claiming the go-round and the average championship.

Parker, 22, qualified for the big Vegas rodeo himself two years ago and plans to go back. He had an impressive 86-point ride Sunday on Brookman-Hyland Co.'s "Frenchy." He also won Saturday night's go-round with an 81 marking.

No one covered all three bulls, so Breding won the average. Both he and Gee qualified for the Ram Circuit Finals.

"I never usually do too good at this rodeo and it feels awesome to get two rode and win a couple of rounds," Breding said.

Big crowds

The $150,000 Circuit Finals entertained sellout crowds of about 4,500 both Friday and Saturday and concluded before another throng that was partying heartily on Sunday afternoon. Add it all up and it was another great show at Four Seasons.

"It really was," said Jim Croff, president of the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit. "I keep saying it year after year, but it just seems like it keeps getting better and better. And the level of contestants is just phenomenal."

The Circuit's contract with Cascade County expired with Sunday's performance.

"We're gonna start negotiating in the near future," Croff said. "I'm sure we'll be meeting up pretty soon and working forward."

A multi-year pact is the goal.

"We'd really like that. I think everybody would," Croff said. "So hopefully we can do that."

The Wright stuff

Carmel Wright of Roy, meanwhile, won on Sunday with a swift trip around the barrels. Roy, a New Zealand native who relocated to rural Montana several years ago, piloted "Sweetheart Special," a 12-year-old sorrel that proved to be the best barrel horse of the weekend. They combined to win two go-rounds on the weekend.

"We bought her, a track reject, as a four-year-old," Wright said. "We've brought her along and she's really done well."

Wright, a four-time MPRF qualifier, won her first year-end championship saddle. She entered the rodeo trailing Lindsay Kruse of Winston by about $5,000. But Kruse is eight months pregnant and could not ride this weekend. Since Wright claimed both the year-end and MPRF average crowns, the second-place finisher in the year-end standings – Kruse – also qualifies for a trip to the Ram National Circuit Finals.

The bronc riding featured a victory by Reynolds, a veteran rancher from the Ekalaka area. The Corvallis native once made it to the NFR and has qualified more than dozen times for the Circuit Finals after first competing here in 1998. But success hasn't come very readily here.

On Sunday, though, he floated "Beaver Bait" for a winning 82-point ride.

"It's been awhile since I won a round here, but it feels good now," said Reynolds. And then he grinned.

"Especially since I'm 40 years old."

Fit and trim, Reynolds appears ready to ride many more times. He said that's the plan.

"I'm gonna go hard this year and try to get back to the NFR," he said. "We'll see how it goes."

Bobcat bulldogger

There was also a familiar name atop the leaderboard in the steer wrestling. For a different reason.

Former Montana State star defensive lineman Beau Clark claimed his first circuit year-end championship by winning Sunday's go-round with a splendid 3.9-second effort.

"It's exciting," said the Belgrade native.

Clark, 33, played on tremendous Bobcat football teams with greats Kane Ioane and Travis Lulay, then 10 years ago decided to become a steer wrestler. While claiming the Prairie Circuit (Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska), Clark qualified for the NFR.

Now the full-fledged cowboy is back in Montana to stay.

"I love being home," he said. "Man, this is the best Circuit Finals in the PRCA. You can't beat it."

Clark, a 6-3, 240-pounder, rallied to win the year-end championship. He grinned when asked if the NFR excitement level was on par with, say, playing in the Bobcat-Grizzly football game.

"Man, they're hand in hand," he said. "You can't beat playing in that rivalry, and if you're from Montana that's really exciting. And going to the NFR is a dream all little kids have, I think, when they're first around rodeo. I'm lucky that I got to experience them both."

And where does the Circuit Finals rank?

"It's a big thrill, too," Clark said. "I remember when I was a little kid and Dad bringing us here, watching Rod Lyman and Brad Gleason. To be here and be a part of this is a neat deal."

The bareback featured another year-end championship for five-time NFR star Jessy Davis of Power. His traveling partner, Chase Erickson of Helena, did not enjoy a banner 2014 season. But 2015 is off to a great start.

"I'm confident. I'm positive," said Erickson, who won Sunday's go-round with a fine 84-point ride aboard Ike Sankey's "Music" and claimed the MPRF average. Erickson also won Friday night's go.

"I can't complain about my year," said the 31-year-old native of Almo, Idaho. "No, I didn't make the Finals. But I feel it coming. And that's what is important to me."

Davis and Erickson are both headed to the Ram National Circuit Finals in Florida.

"Yep," Erickson said. "I'm gonna go sit on the beach and ride bucking horses. Can't wait."

NOTES: The Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit announced a list of livestock and event awards. Among the livestock yearly winners were New West Rodeo's Right Spur (bareback), New West Rodeo's Black Sun (saddle bronc) and Brookman-Hyland's Damn Its Good (bull) … Timed event winning horses include Luke Gee's Buster (steer wrestling), Lindsay Kruse's Harley (barrel racing), Mike Gollaher's Shooter (hazing), Shawn Bird's Mel (team roping heading), Ike Folsom's Anchor (team roping heeling) and Hank Hollenbeck's Rey De Bay (tie-down roping) … The Circuit also announced its Committees of the Year, which include Lewistown (medium rodeo) and Livingston (large rodeo). Dan Moxley of the Bear Paw Roundup in Chinook won the Montana Silversmiths Montana Committee Person of the Year … Bullfighter Al Sandvold, who retired following Sunday's performance, was honored by the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit as the Calvin Bohleen Memorial Award winner. Sandvold worked nine times a bullfighter at the Montana Pro Rodeo Finals … For the first time, the MPRF worked with the Montana High School Rodeo Association to sponsor a High School Roughstock Challenge at the Circuit Finals. Six bareback and six saddle bronc riders from the prep ranks competed. The winners were crowned on Sunday and included Joseph St. Goddard of Browning in bareback (62 points) and Trevor Clark of Brussett (58 points).

FINAL RESULTS

Bareback Riding

1. Chase Erickson, Helena, 84 points on Music of Sankey Rodeo, $1649.56; 2. Troy Vaira, Richey, 79, $1237.17; 3. Jessy Davis, Power, 78, $824.78; 4. Anthony Thomas, Australia, 73, $412.39; 5. Buck Lunak, Cut Bank, 70; 6. Tucker Zingg, Belgrade, 67; 7. Sylvan LaCross, Baker, 66; 8. Heath Ford, Slocum, TX, 64; 9. J2 Bridges, Melrose, 61; No Score – Charlie Mack, Big Timber; Cavan Wrzesinski, Boulder; Justin Miller, Billings.

AVERAGE: Chase Erickson, 248 on 3, $2474.35; 2. Jessy Davis, 242 on 3, $1855.76; 3. Troy Vaira, 224 on 3, $1237.17; 4 (split). Heath Ford and Anthony Thomas, 220 on 3, $309.29 each

YEAR-END: 1. Jessy Davis, $17,004.99; 2. Chase Erickson, $11,808.73

Ram National Circuit Finals: Jessy Davis and Chase Erickson

Team Roping

1. Clayton Miller, Billings/Hank Hollenbeck, Molt, 5.9, $1649.57; 2. Shayne Bishop, Malta/Kory Mytty, Lolo, 6.0, $1237.18; 3. Jason Carlson, Two Dot/Sam Levine, Wolf Creek, 6.6, $824.78; 4. Delon Parker, Worden/Dylan Johnson, Billings, 11.6, $412.39; 5. Travis Winters, Joliet/Kyle DeSaveur, Roberts, 13.2; 6. Shawn Bird, Cut Bank/Justin Viles, Cody, WY, 15.8; 7. Bill Parker, Billings/Jace Crabb, Billings, 16.5; No Time – Dustin Bird, Cut Bank/Charlie Lenning, Billings; Clay Robertson, Augusta/Zack Schweigert, Livingston; Shawn & Shane Bessette, Great Falls; Jade Stoddard, Rexburg, ID/Ike Folsom, Dillon; Chris Witcher, Roundup/Tim Garrison, Divide.

AVERAGE: 1. Jason Carlson/Sam Levine, 15.9 on 3, $2474.35; 2. Delon Parker/Dylan Johnson, 26.6 on 3; 3. Shawn Bird/Justin Viles, 28.6 on 3, $1237.18; 4. Travis Winters/Kyle DeSaveur, 32.1 on 3, $618.59

YEAR-END Heading: 1. Jade Stoddard $15,419.92; 2. Shawn Bird, $15,405.61

YEAR-END Heeling: 1. Ike Folsom, $15,419.92; 2. Justin Viles $13,503.05

Ram National Circuit Finals: Jade Stoddard/Ike Folsom and Jason Carlson/Sam Levine

High School Challenge

Bareback – 1. Joseph St. Goddard, 62 points; No score - Trevor McAllister and Troy Kirkpatrick

Saddle Bronc - 1. Trevor Clark, 58 points; No Score – Sage Newman and Houston Brown

Steer Wrestling

1. Beau Clark, Belgrade, 3.9, $1649.56; 2. Nick Stubblefield, Choteau, 4.9, $1237.17; 3. Josh Boka, Dillon, 5.0, $824.78; 4. Newt Novich, Twin Bridges, 5.1, $412.39; 5. Levi Guenzler, Bynum, 6.3; 6. Luke Gee, Stanford, 7.6; No Time - Dan Mulkey, Dell; Reef Mills, Augusta; Mike Gollaher, Cascade; Shawn Downing, Silver Star; Bridger Chambers, Stevensville; Nolan Conway, Browning.

AVERAGE: 1. Levi Guenzler, 15.8 on 3, $2474.35; 2. Josh Boka, 16.2 on 3, $1855.76; 3. Luke Gee, 17.6 on 3, $1237.17; 4. Beau Clark, 9.9 on 2, $618.59

YEAR-END: 1. Beau Clark $12,334.44; 2. Shawn Downing $11,487.23

Ram National Circuit Finals: Beau Clark and Levi Guenzler

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Josh Reynolds, Ekalaka, 82 points on Beaver Bait of Brookman-Hyland Rodeo, $1649.56; 2. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, AB , 81, $1237.17; 3. Wyatt Thurston, Big Valley, AB, 74, $824.78; 4. J.C. DeSaveur, Roberts, 73, $412.39; 5. Wyatt Hurst, Rigby, ID, 62; No Score - Andrew Evjene, Melville; Leroy Eash, Fortine; Jake Watson, Hudsons Hope, BC; Tyrell Smith, Cascade; Medical - Clay Gruel, Stockett and Shane Moran, Ulm

AVERAGE: 1. Zeke Thurston 164 points on 2, $2474.35; 2. Josh Reynolds, 158 points on 2, $1855.76; 3. Cole Neely, 141 points on 2, $1237.17; 4. Wyatt Thurston, 140 points on 2, $618.59

YEAR-END: 1. Zeke Thurston $15,957.85; 2. Tyrell Smith $13,500.41

Ram National Circuit Finals: Zeke Thurston and Tyrell Smith

Tie Down Roping

1. (tie) Chad Johnson, Cut Bank and Hank Hollenbeck, Molt, 9.0, $1443.36 each; 3. Logan Hofer, Magrath, AB, 9.7, $824.78; 4. Ben Ayre, Glendive, 10.4, $412.39; 5. Bode Scott, Pryor, 11.7; 6. Austin Barstow, Springview, NE, 15.1; 7. Kevin Peterson, Kilgore, NE, 21.5; No Time - J.C. Crowley, Poplar; Brant Davis, Sand Coulee; Bryant Mikkelson, Buffalo; Ben Robinson, Red Deer County, AB; Ryan Siemsen, Worden;

AVERAGE: 1. Hank Hollenbeck, 28.8 on 3, $2474.35; 2. Logan Hofer, 33.7 on 3, $1855.76; 3. Chad Johnson, 33.9 on 2, $1237.17; 4. Austin Barstow, 36.9 on 3, $618.59

YEAR-END: 1. Hank Hollenbeck $16,717.08; 2. Bode Scott $10,964.05

Ram National Circuit Finals: Hank Hollenbeck and Bode Scott

Barrel Racing

1. Carmel Wright, Roy, 12.78, $1649.56; 2. Heather Knerr, Grass Range, 13.14, $1237.17; 3. Becky Fuson, Conrad, 13.15, $824.78; 4. Dillon McPherson, Wolf Point, 13.19, $412.39; 5. Torie Briese, Helena, 13.24; 6. Shelby Blixt, Helena, 13.26; 7. Lisa Anderson, Bozeman, 13.27; 8. Theresa Walter, Billings, 13.51; 9. Tammy Carpenter, Kalispell, 13.69; 10. Danna Whitford, Browning, 14.00; 11. Kaela Murphy, Helena, 19.01; No Time – Cally Goyins, Helena

AVERAGE: 1. Carmel Wright, 39.08, $2474.35; 2. Heather Knerr, 39.96, $1855.76; 3. Lisa Anderson, 40.30, $1237.17; 4. Shelby Blixt, 40.60, $618.59

YEAR-END: 1. Carmel Wright $23,099.77; 2. Lindsay Kruse $21,029.43

Ram National Circuit Finals: Carmel Wright and Lindsay Kruse

Bull Riding

1. Parker Breding, Edgar, 86 points on Frenchy of Brookman-Hyland Rodeo, $1787.02; 2. Guy Nordahl, Helena, 83, $1374.63; 3. Luke Gee, Stanford, 82, $962.24; No Score - Dustin Jenkins, Missoula; A,J, Crasco, Malta; Charlie Mack, Big Timber; Ryan O'Masters, Helena; Ty Tescher, Sidney; Beau Hill, West Glacier; Kody DeShon, Helena; Preston Louis, Browning; Medical – Nevada Newman.

AVERAGE: 1. Parker Breding, 167 on 2, $2474.35; 2. Luke Gee, 160 on 2, $1855.76; 3. Preston Louis, 150 on 2, $1237.17; 4. Kody DeShon, 89 on 1, $618.59

YEAR-END: 1. Luke Gee $18,294.63; 2. Beau Hill $16,904.44

Ram National Circuit Finals: Luke Gee and Parker Breding

All-Around

Year-End: 1. Hank Hollenbeck $28,521.78; Luke Gee $26,811.76

Circuit Finals: 1. Hank Hollenbeck $9,691.18; 2. Luke Gee $6,185.85