Montana's richest calf roping event to be held this weekend
By Jim Blow
For the Bigfork Eagle
When it comes to calf roping,
it doesn't get much better than this.
Fred Whitfield, Trevor Brazile, Joe Beaver, Blair Burk and Troy Pruitt,
just to name a few, are coming to the Flathead Valley this weekend to
compete in the fourth annual Montana's Richest Calf Roping.
"Basically, it will be just like going to the National Final Rodeo,"
organizer
and Polson roper Tim Bagnell said.
Bagnell moved the event from his roping barn to the Majestic Valley
Arena just north of Kalispell to make room for all the spectators and horse
trailers. The two-day event begins Friday, May 9, with qualifying roping at
11 a.m., followed by a pig roast, a dance and a Calcutta that evening at 7
p.m. Roping continues on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Rodeo clown Flint Rasmussen will provide special entertainment.
"It's worth it just to come see Flint. He's quite an entertainer,"
Bagnell
said.
In all, 71 ropers will compete for the $30,000 added purse, which could
earn a roper $100,000 if he puts together a string of good runs throughout
the event. Montana ropers include Bagnell and Travis Caldwell of Billings,
who is the reigning Montana Pro Rodeo calf roping champ.
Other Montanans in the event include Bret Fleming of Broadus, a former
champion of the event, and Chad Johnson of Cut Bank. New this year is a
12-and-under division, which will include Bagnell's sons, Craig, 12, and
Kyle, 11. Other youngsters scheduled to participate include Jason Schaffer,
11, of Broadus and Nate Eichhorn, 11, of Belgrade. Dillon Holder, 11, of
Vian, Okla., will also participate.
"It's our building year for the kids' roping," Bagnell explained.
"But this
year, we're adding $3,000 for the purse ... that's unheard of."
The pig roast and dance gives attendees a chance to meet the best ropers
in the business. They'll also pose for photographs and hand out
autographs.
Tickets for each of the three sessions are $10 for adults and $8 for
juniors (ages 11-17). Pig Roast and dance tickets are $25 per person. For
more information, call Majestic Valley Arena at (406) 755-5366 or Bagnell at
(406) 676-8880.