Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Hangs Up Spurs at Opheim Rodeo '18 Years to the Day'
Opheim's Chase Redfield gives a unique farewell wave as he takes his last professional bareback ride at the Opheim Rodeo on June 26. He won the event with a score of 72.
Witt Ozark steels himself before entering the rodeo ring for the Kids Barrel Racing 10 & Under event at the Opheim Rodeo on June 26.
A clear winner emerges in the Boot Run at the Opheim Rodeo on June 26.
What's old is new again ...Glasgow's Kevin Taylor came out of retirement to take another shot at the rodeo life. The cowboy did not make a qualifying time at the Opheim Rodeo on June 26, but he intends to try again at the Hinsdale Rodeo on July 3.
Bailey Billingsley competes in the Junior Barrel Racing at the Opheim Rodeo on June 26. She tied for second with a time of 17.20 seconds.
The Colors are presented at the Opheim Rodeo on June 26.
Eighteen years to the day. That's how long Chase Redfield's rodeo career lasted.He called it a day and hung up his professional spurs on Sunday at the annual Opheim Rodeo, where he began his career.
"I've met a lot of people, been to a lot of places, and I wouldn't trade it for the world," Redfield said. "But, it's time." The local bareback rider went out on a high note, winning the bareback riding event with a score of 72. The first-place finish earned him $255.68 at the Northern Rodeo Association event.
Redfield's wife, Hanna, was on hand to support him at the bittersweet career finale. "It's a bit sad," she said as she dug out homemade signs for friends and family to wave during the cowboy's final professional ride.
Redfield was the only bareback rider to last the full eight seconds atop a horse to earn a score. Ganett Goggin of Otter, Mont., and Cale Bandelin of Watford City, N.D., were both thrown before the buzzer sounded.
The Opheim cowboy fared better in his retirement ride than Glasgow rider, Kevin Taylor, in the saddle bronc riding event. Taylor came out of his retirement to throw his spurs back on and try his hand in the rodeo ring again. As announcer Brian Austin explained, his old friend loves the rodeo too much to not give it another go.
Unfortunately for Taylor, the broncs proved tougher than the cowboys in Opheim. He, Kelly Murnion of Jordan, Mont., and Caleb Meeks of Geraldine, Mont., were all thrown to the dirt before they could earn a score or a check.
But as a true competitor, Taylor will return to the ring. The Glasgow rider will give rodeo fans another thrill at the Hinsdale Rodeo this Saturday, July 3, with action starting at 6 p.m.
The Opheim Rodeo proved a tough event for local cowboys. Only five other Valley County competitors walked away with checks. J Billingsley of Glasgow earned a first-place finish the Senior Men's Breakaway. He won $127.84 with his time of 4.0 seconds. Herb Harris of Richland earned $95.88 and second place with a time of 4.9 seconds. J Billingsley also earned second in Tie Down Roping, finishing in 13.8 seconds and winning $293.28.
Bailey Billingsley, Glasgow, and Madison Harris, Richland, Mont., tied for second place in Junior Barrel Racing. Each rider had a time of 17.20 seconds and earned $78.00 for their performance.
2021 Opheim Rodeo Results
Place Name, Town, Score/Time, Winnings
Bareback Riding
1 Chase Redfield, Opheim 72 $255.68
Saddle Bronc Riding
No Qualified Rides
Bull Riding
No Qualified Rides
Steer Wrestling
No Qualified Times
Tie Down Roping
1 Blaine Hubing, Circle 11.7 #391.04
2 J Billingsley, Glasgow 13.8 $293.28
3 Ben Ayers, Glendive 14.4 $195.52
4 Colt Stonehocker, Charlo 19.1 $97.76
Team Roping
Tie 1 Dustin Datisman and Josh Harris, Ronan 6.2 $246.75
Tie 1 Shayne Bishop and Chris Barthelmess, Malta 6.2 $246.75
3 Grady Larsen and Garrett Larsen, Sidney 8.9 $141.00
4 Herb Harris and Colt Stonehocker, Charlo 9.8 $70.50
Ladies Barrel Racing
1 Michelle Lucke, Bozeman 16.20 $244.40
2 Bella Fossum, Billings 16.70 $183.30
3 Laura Kleinjan, Chinook 17.30 $122.20
4 Rylee Strauser, Havre, 17.90, $61.10
Ladies Breakaway
1 Chalee Harms, Miles City 2.6 $188.00
Junior Barrel Racing
1 Leddy Larson, Sidney 17.00 $124.80
Tie 2 Bailey Billingsley, Glasgow 17.20 $78.00
Tie 2 Madison Harris, Richland 17.20 $78.00
4 Landry Larson, Sidney, 18.50 $31.20
Junior Breakaway Roping
1 Stetson Brandt, Malta 8.0 $124.80
Senior Men's Breakaway
1 J Billingsley, Glasgow 4.0 $127.84
2 Herb Harris, Richland 4.9 $95.88
Reader Comments(0)