The 9th annual Custer Ranch Rodeo will begin with a grand entry and calcutta at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at the arena two miles north of Custer, Montana. At Custer, teams of three cowboys and one cowgirl compete in the following classes: branding, penning, doctoring, wild cow milking, and trailer race. The winning team will advance to the NILE Championship Ranch Rodeo in Billings in October.
The following captains are entered to bring ranch rodeo teams to Custer:
* Bob Lile of Pompey’s Pillar
* Brad Mitchell of Hardin
* Brett Marshall of Lodge Grass
* Chad Fink of Hysham
* Dale Sargent of Shawmut
* Nate Roskelley of Sumatra
* Sam Redding of Hardin
* Toby Abel of Custer
* Wes Sargent of Shawmut
* Will Croft of Hardin
Immediately following the ranch rodeo on June 20, ranch bronc riders will compete in the Stockman Bank Open Ranch Bronc Ride, and cowgirls are invited to compete in the Open Ranch Gal Race. It will be a full day for horseback competitors at the Custer Arena, beginning at 9 a.m. with a ranch horse competition followed by A Short Ranch Rodeo (for kids under 15) at 1 p.m. The Custer FFA will serve a brisket dinner at the arena starting at 4 p.m.
On Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day), husband-wife teams of two will compete in the Marital Bliss Muley Ropin’ to wrap up the weekend. Spectators are welcome at all events. Tickets to watch the ranch rodeo are $5 (kids watch for free, and all other events are free for adult spectators). A boot race and calf race for young children will take place during the ranch rodeo.
In its first eight years, the Custer Ranch Rodeo has given:
* More than $20,000 to the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center.
* Upwards of $11,000 to help with the rebuilding of the Custer Arena.
For more information: find us at facebook.com/CusterRanchRodeo or call 406-354-6012.