By Jean Schurman
The 1st Annual Joe Reynolds Memorial Bronc Riding & Barrel Race will be held this Saturday, September 19th, at 7pm at the Darby Arena. Joe Reynolds grew up in Corvallis and competed in the saddle bronc event throughout Montana. His brother, Josh, who has competed at the National Finals Rodeo and finished in the top 15 in the world, will be competing, as will other PRCA and Northern Rodeo Association cowboys.
This is the second year for the event that features some of the top saddle bronc riders squaring off against the cream of the crop young saddle broncs. The horses are four or five years old and most are bred especially to buck. A veterinarian will be on hand to ‘mouth’ or check the horses’ teeth to verify they aren’t any older than five. Most saddle broncs don’t really come into their own until they are older according to Cal Ruark, spokesman for the Darby Rodeo Association and sponsor of the event.
There will be 12 teams of three horses each and there will be four judges. Two judges will score the riders, and two judges will score the horses. The cumulative score of the team of horses determines the winners for the saddle broncs. The top score of the night by the rider determines the winner for the cowboys. There is $3,000 added money for the horses, and $3,000 added money for the riders. Two of the judges have had National Finals Rodeo experience, Larry Jordan and Larry Peabody (world champion bareback rider in 1984).
Ruark expects horses from Canada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho and Utah. The breeders of these horses are vying for a chance to make it to the circuit finals at Pocatello, Idaho, in two weeks at the World Class Bucking Horse Association finals. The breeders, owners, and producers are hoping their horses will make the cut and then make the trip to Las Vegas where they will be eligible to be auctioned off.
“The breeders and producers really want to make the finals so they are bringing their best horses to our event,” said Ruark.
In addition to broncs, there will be barrel racing. The Brnd4D Open Barrel Race will begin at noon on Saturday. With a $3,000 purse, Ruark expects between 90 and 120 barrel racers at this. On top of that, the top 10 times will return Saturday night for a winner take all $1,000 purse.
For ages 9-12, there will be a wild horse race using Shetland ponies. This will feature six teams with three riders each. Ruark said this will be a real crowd pleaser.
All of these events will benefit a new program, “Out of the Blue” a fundraising effort for Community Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. The distinctive logo of a blue feather and a pink feather will adorn a Montana Silversmith’s belt buckle that will be auctioned off. There will also be artwork by Gary Lynn Roberts, furniture by Southern Ways, and a Double H custom hat.
