Pocatello pieces come together with conclusion of last two circuit finals

Posted Monday, January 14, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Qualification for the 2008 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., came to a close last weekend with the conclusion of the last two circuit finals rodeos – the Dodge First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo (Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 10-12) and the Dodge Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo (Great Falls, Jan. 11-13).

Average champions from those rodeos will join each event’s year-end winners at the DNCFR, March 19-22 in Pocatello’s Holt Arena.

In Harrisburg, timed-event cowboy Chuck Smith had himself quite a weekend, winning titles in two events. Smith, of Townsend, Del., joined forces with Joe Williams of Perkiomenville, Pa., to win the circuit finals rodeo’s team roping average title with a total time of 27.9 seconds on three head. Smith also took top honors in tie-down roping, roping and tying three calves in 31.9 seconds.

On the roughstock end, bull rider Tyler Miller clinched his second straight DNCFR berth after winning the average title. Miller, of McClure, Pa., scored 226 points on three bulls to win the crown, one year after claiming the First Frontier’s year-end championship.

Other Dodge First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo average champions were: bareback rider Sylvain Meunier of Boucherville, Quebec; steer wrestler Kirk Trumpower of Clear Springs, Md.; and saddle bronc rider Chad Alesky of Monroeton, Pa.

In Great Falls, brothers Matt Robertson of Augusta, Mont., and John Robertson of Polson, Mont., set an arena record en route to winning the average title, and bull rider Richard Bird of Cut Bank, Mont., won the average title, 25 years after his father, Dale, accomplished the same feat.

The Robertson boys’ run of 4.3 seconds in the third round set the Four Seasons Arena record, and their total time of 19.4 seconds was more than two seconds ahead of the next team. Bird won the first round and, after being bucked off the next night, sewed up the title with a round-winning, 85-point ride in the third session. Overall, he rode two bulls for 167 points.

Other Dodge Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo average champions were: bareback rider Andy Bolich of Belgrade, Mont.; steer wrestler Josh Granell of Havre, Mont.; saddle bronc rider Jake Costello of Newell, S.D.; tie-down roper Marty Becker of Edmonton, Alberta; and barrel racer Shelley Murphy of Helena, Mont.