Cowboys Descend on Opheim for Annual Rodeo

Opheim is a very small town of about 88 residents in northern Montana, according to the 2016 count, give or take. Once a year, however, the population increases by about ten times that for the rodeo, which was held June 24.

The Opheim rodeo begins with a parade, as all rodeos do, and people line up on both sides of the street. Riders on horseback carry the American flag, the Canadian flag and the Montana State flag as the riders go past up one side and down the other while everyone stands and salutes the colors.

Participants in the parade drive vintage cars and tractors while also tossing out candy to the children who have come prepared with shopping bags to gather up the prize sweets. This year had a special treat where lefse was also being handed out from the Granrud's Lefse Shack vehicle. The parade was over rather quickly considering it was small in size, but it was large in American heart. That is the way they do it in this proud town next to the Canadian border.

After the parade, everyone either drove or walked the few hundred feet to the rodeo grounds where the groundskeepers were driving a water truck, spraying the arena to keep down the dust. At precisely 1 p.m., Brian Austin of Glasgow announced the opening ceremonies and Tandie Solberg, Josh Halko and Tanner Solberg presented the trio of flags on horseback, riding into the arena. The National Anthems of both the United States and Canada, "The Star Spangled Banner" and "O Canada", were sung by Shelby Fuhrmann.

Austin reminded those present that the day's rodeo events were in honor of Mr. Ray Brandt, who passed away in March of this year.

Then it was off to the races, as they say, and out of the chute was the first bronc rider, Mr. Will South. He was thrown into the fence when his horse seemed to stumble and hit its head on the large pole at one of the gates. South got untangled from the mess and waved off the EMT people who were Johnny on-the-spot. It looked worse than it actually was, as South later rode again in the Ranch Bronc Riding contest.

There was only one successful saddle bronc rider, Wyatt Niedhart of Richardton, N.D., who took home the prize money as well as the Mint Bar belt buckle. Tanner Solberg of Richland won first place in the ranch bronc riding, bringing home the belt buckle. Second place went to Cody McCarthy of Winnett, third place went to Caden McCarthy of Winnett and fourth place went to Trey Switzer.

Eric P. Watson of Rocky Boy placed first in the calf roping, bringing home the buckle. Second place went to Riley McClintock of Wood Mountain, Sask., third place went to Tate Benson of Scobey and fourth place went to J.D. Harrell of Roy.

Stacy Harris brought home the buckle for ladies breakaway roping with second place going to Meg Mulvena of Rockglen, Sask.

Tandie Solberg of Chinook came out victorious in the ladies barrell race, with second place going to Marie Taylor of Saco, third place going to Karlie McGowan of Wolf Point, and fourth place going to Tayallis Horn of Harlem.

Ellie Linder of Flaxville won the junior barrel race, while the 10-and-under barrel race was won by Dylan Murch of Glasgow.

It was blistering hot and the sun was almost unbearable. No one really noticed, nor did they care because shoot sakes, it was an American Rodeo with cowboys and cowgirls from all ages.

The rodeo lasted until about 4 p.m., with the last event being the team roping contest. Josh Halko of Redstone and David Wold of Outlook won the team roping event, bringing home the belt buckles.

All in all, the livestock won most of the events with no one actually being severely injured unless you count the injury to some of the riders' pride. While o one managed to ride the full eight seconds on the bulls, some of the riders wisely wore helmets.