Tuesday, April 30, 2013

IT’S GOLD THIS YEAR FOR THE EAST HELENA VALLEY RODEO!!!!!


The East Helena Valley Rodeo Association is celebrating their 50th year of rodeo.

In 1960 Reed Palmer moved to East Helena. Coming from being involved in the Augusta Rodeo, he decided that East Helena should have a rodeo also.  So he got busy and presented his idea to the members of the VFW and they agreed that it was a good way to bring people to East Helena.  In 1963 that dream became a reality, thanks to many hard working people.

In the late 1960’s an organization of VFW members and non-members formed the East Helena Valley Rodeo Association.  “Survival of the Fittest” got them through the ups and downs of the late 70’s and early 80’s and then the women got involved and they flourished!! In 2012 they were up to 55 members.  The following is a list of their Officers:

PRESIDENT- RAY MCGOWAN
VICE-PRESIDENT- MIKE BUCKLEY
SECRETARY- BETH LEWIS
TREASURER – KATHY BUCKLEY
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD – DON BLIXT
JUSTIN GREVE
WILLIAM “BEAR” LARSON
DAVE PRIMO
RODGER NORDAHL
ROBERT BEACH

IN 1993, 2000 and 2003 the East Helena Valley Rodeo Association was named “Rodeo of the Year” by the Northern Rodeo Association.  East Helena’s rodeo has been one of the largest NRA rodeos for many years, drawing contestants from all over Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Canada.  Each year 300 – 400 contestant rides or runs take place at the rodeo.

On July 12, 13 and 14, 2013, the 50th Annual East Helena Valley Rodeo will be held with performances starting at 7 PM on Friday and Saturday and 2 PM on Sunday. This event provides good wholesome family entertainment for all ages and the tickets are $4.00 in advance and 5.00 at the gate with kids under 5 free.  WOW where can you take your family for an outing at that price??

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Throwback Thursday


Scott Breding 1986 NRA Champion Bull Rider and NRA Finals Champion Bull Rider.  In the background is Loyd Ketchum, 1986 Bull Fighter of the Year.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Throwback Thursday


Glen Hough and Phil Luman demonstrate their unfailing team roping skill at the 1978 NRA Finals

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Meet Your 2012 Tie Down Roping Champion


2012 was a good year for Treston Vermandel, who rides the 2012 Calf Horse of the Year, Cubby.  After attending just 10 rodeos and winning the 1st round at the finals, Treston won enough to capture the 2012 Champion Tie Down Roping title. This was a good thing, as Treston had promised his 4 year old daughter, Havyn, a belt buckle as they left their home in Shepherd for the NRA Finals in October, and she wasn’t going to return home without it!!  Treston grew up outside of Billings, MT, part of a strong rodeo family. He participated as a junior member of the NRA and has continued on as a member of the NRA for the last eleven years, although he has intermittently taken 1 or 2 years off.  He has been to the NRA Finals six times.  Treston graduated from the University of Wyoming with an Ag Business Degree in 2004.  He married his wife, Callie in 2005.  They have two children, Havyn (4) and Tayce (1).  Treston currently works as Production Foreman at OrIgen, Inc, a beef genetics company outside of Billings.   

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Meet Your 2012 NRA Finals Ladies Breakaway Roping Average Champion



Ali MacCarty was very excited about going to the 2012 NRA Finals as she well should have been.   She got there and “whipped up”!!!!   She went into the finals in third place and proceeded to win the average by winning the first and third rounds and was third in the second round.  Ali ranches with her family in Pryor and is engaged to Chase Gauger.  They are expecting a baby in May (IT’S A GIRL!).  Ali has been an NRA member from the age of 6 and made it to the finals every year of her junior membership except one.  She has been to the NRA finals 3 times since.  She has worked for the NRA since she was 15 but decided to just hang around with Chase last summer and take a break.  We are very proud of Ali and miss her around the office.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Mia DeLode "Catch of the Day"


Mia DeLode is donating all proceeds from her print the "Catch of the Day" to the Larry Jordan Sr. Crisis Fund.  For more information or to purchase this print, you can go to http://fineartamerica.com/featured/catch-of-the-day-mia-delode.html or contact the NRA office at (406) 252-1122.