Gliko Bull Riding bigger, better than ever in Belt

The Dusty Gliko Bull Riding Challenge made some headlines last year by adding a section of old-timers to the contestant list.

Perhaps an encore for the old veterans is in store this spring?

“I think once is enough,” said Jeff Marn, one of the many bull riders who came out of retirement last spring in Belt for the event. “You can’t beat Father Time.”

But don’t think the Gliko Challenge, the 11th annual of which is slated June 4 at the Belt Rodeo Grounds, is settling for the same old, same old.

“It should be bigger and better than ever,” said Marn, a professional announcer and one of the top organizers for the event. “We’ve added some bronc riding. Gary Pimperton is in charge of it. We’re calling it the ‘Dusty Gliko Bronc Challenge’ Ten guys, guys who have been to the Circuit Finals and are from the region. Plus we’ve added some good money and put a buckle up.

“We think it should be real good.”

Certainly that’s what the event has been in the past. For the last few years crowds of several thousand have gathered at the Belt arena as the event raises money for worthy causes and pays homage to Dusty Gliko, a popular roughstock rider who died in an auto accident 11 years ago.

Marn was one of Gliko’s many friends.

“The bull riders, they understand the whole story,” Marn said. “I’m a full-time announcer now (working for the PBR) but this one, tell you what, it means a lot. And Dusty, he rode both bulls and broncs. So it works.”

The long round consists of 35 bull rides, with the top 10 returning for the championship short go. Two sections of five bronc riders will also provide some highlights.

Among the organizers are Jeff’s brother, Jeremy, Dusty Gliko’s sister Jamie Martin, and his father John Gliko.

Though the event has changed from year to year, ticket prices have remained relatively the same. Kids under 10 are admitted free, and $10 adult tickets are available in advance at Hoglund’s in Great Falls.

“The kids and families mean the most to us,” said Jeff Marn. “We try to hold the ticket prices down. I believe we’ll have a real good show.”

IT WAS SUGGESTED to Jeff Marn that the old-timers bull riding event at last year’s Dusty Gliko Challenge was a hit with the fans.

And he had to agree it was.

So, we wondered, why not an old-timers saddle bronc event at this year’s Challenge?

Belt’s Gary Pimperton was one of the best bronc riders in the Montana circuit for years and years. And famed National Finals Rodeo cowboy Ryan Mapston lives just down the road from Belt and still appears to be in outstanding shape.

Jeff Marn considered the proposition.

“Well,” he said with a laugh, “it might take a little bit to get those guys persuaded. But you never know. It could maybe happen.”

HELENA STEER WRESTLER Ty Erickson has become famous in the pro rodeo world.

And so is his horse.

Erickson’s mount “Shake ’Em” is an award-winning bulldogging horse and has recently been carrying Washington cowboy Cody Cabral to the winner’s circle.

Recently at the Redding (Calif.) PRCA Rodeo, Cabral rode Erickson’s horse and both two go-rounds and the average. The performance was worth more than $6,600.

According to the PRCA, Cabral’s steer wrestling horse, “Little Time,” was injured in April and could be sidelined for six months. Erickson’s “Shake ’Em” is the PRCA’s reigning steer wrestling horse of the year.

“I rode (Shake ’Em) my last two steers at Clovis and in Mercedes, Texas, and then at Redding,” Cabral told the PRCA. “I’ve won money on him every time. I’m really thankful to Ty for letting me ride him.”

Cabral, 26, is a native of Hilo, Hawaii, who went to college at Walla Walla (Wash.).

Scott Mansch is Tribune Sports Columnist and writes about rodeo in columns that appear most Wednesdays. He can be reached at 791-1481, smansch@greatfallstribune.com or on Twitter @GFTrib_SMansch