Timberman smilin' after 85-point ride

Painted Smile had Kelly Timberman grinnin' from ear to ear.

The Mills, Wyo., cowboy covered the time limit on that talented bucking horse in the bareback riding Thursday night during the first performance of the Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Timberman, the defending PRCA bareback champ and NFR champion, scored 85 points on Painted Smile before being bucked off just after the eight-second time limit. It was the top ride of the night in that event.

"First time," said of Timberman of riding Painted Smile.

"At the end, that horse is so strong when I went to double grab, it bucked me off. Plain and simple."

But prior to that, Timberman was in control.

"I've seen her a lot in bronc riding," said Timberman of Painted Smile.

"She's a good horse."

Timberman came to the fair rodeo sitting 16th in the Pro Rodeo world standings with earnings of $39,814 after 45 rodeos.

Andy Martinez of Pavillion, Wyo., tops the list with $83,255 (43).

"I've been drawing terrible, but I still love what I do," said Timberman.

"When you choose this sport, it's the luck of the draw."

Timberman is in his fifth season with the PRCA and last year was his first trip to the NFR.

"I'd like to make the finals this year," he said.

"It's been bad all year, not doing good."

He said winning the fair rodeo here could help turn his luck around.

"I still have 50 rodeos to go to this year," he said.

"I'm just getting started."

His next stop is Douglas, Wyo., for a rodeo today.

"I'd like to get on her again," he said of Painted Smile.

"I didn't get a good start on her. She stalled a little bit on me.

"There's always room for improvement," he continued.

"I'm pretty thankful I made the whistle."

This was Timberman's first trip to the fair rodeo since 2003. He missed out on last year's event because of a scheduling conflict.

"I don't like to miss it," he said.

"Good stock. When you get Kessler (Championship Rodeo) horses, you know you have a chance to win."

Montana cowboys dominated the opening show with leaders in five of the seven events.

Seven-time world champion Dan Mortensen of Billings, the first cowboy in the riding events to top $1 million in career earning and now well past the $2 million mark, posted an 80-point ride on Uptown Alley for the saddle bronc lead.

Shaun Stroh of Glendive is second, 79, with Jarrett Monroe of Dillon third, 77.

Mortensen is currently ninth in the world standings with $55,020 (38).

"That wasn't easy," said Mortensen of his go on Uptown Alley.

Mortensen posted an "84 or 85" on the same horse a couple of years ago in Rapid City, S.D., which resulted in good check.

"He's a good horse," said Mortensen.

"He's hard to ride. He changes directions a lot. He's strong."

Mortensen will be back in the saddle today in Moses Lake, Wash., and has a busy month planned.

After that, he wants to take some time off.

Mortensen is still slowed by a broken ankle from last November and is nursing a sore back.

"Just trying to get healthy," he said.

"I'm in the Top 10. Just plugging along."

Other Montana leaders after the first night were Derick Fleming of Dillon and Kory Mytty of Lolo in team roping with a time of 6.1 seconds; Bill Boyce of Lewistown in tie-down roping, 9.8; Terri Kay Kirkland of Billings in barrel racing, 15.82; and Richard Bird of Cut Bank in bull riding, 81 points.

Bird was the lone scorer in the bulls.

Rodeo action continues tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo

Thursday's Results

First Round

Bareback riding - 1. Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo., 85 on Painted Smile. 2. Scott Montague, Fruitdale, S.D., 73. 3. Ben Wrzesinski, Boulder, 70.

Steer wrestling - K.C. Jones, Las Animas, Colo., 3.9. 2. (tie) Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., and Casey Martin, Sulphur, La., 5.1. 4. Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo., 7.1. 5. Jon Ragatz, Cassville, Wis., 10.5. 6. Shannon Blixt, Helena, 14.4.

Saddle bronc - 1. Dan Mortensen, Billings, 80 on Uptown Alley. 2. Shaun Stroh, Glendive, 79. 3. Jarrett Monroe, Dillion, 77. 4. (tie) Colt Moedl, Laurel, and Steve Dollarhide, Wikieup, Ariz., 69 each. 6. (tie) Clint Solomon, Havre, and Luke Butterfield, Ponoka, Alberta, 66. 8. Ryan Mapston, Geyser, 63. 9. Denny Hay, Mayerthorpe, Alberta, 59.

Team roping - 1. Derick Fleming, Dillon, and Kory Mytty, Lolo, 6.1. 2. Britt Williams and Zane Williams, Hammond, 6.3. 3. Bill Boyce, Lewistown, and Pat Pendergrass, Missoula, 6.8. 4. Tate Dempewolfe, Lindsay, and Tim Garrison, Divide, 7.,9. 5. Alex Watson, Geyser, and Derick Fleming, Dillon, 8.8. 6. Chase Hol and Tiny Bradford, Whitehall, 10.2.

Tie-down roping - 1. Bill Boyce, Lewistown, 9.8. 2. J. Billingsley, Glasgow, 11.2. 3. Chad Johnson, Cut Bank, 12.2. 4. Bryant Mikkelson, Great Falls, 12.8. 5. Brant Davis, Sand Coulee, 15.0. 6. Ty Wilcox, Absarokee, 19.6.

Barrel racing - 1. Terri Kaye Kirkland, Billings, 15.82. 2. Melanie Southard, Scurry, Texas, 16.04. 3. Mercede Knudson, Bozeman, 16.17. 4. Tammy Eberline, Dillon, 16.22. 5. Peggy Schluter, Helena, 16.30. 6. Donna Johnson, Belt, 16.64. 7. Lacy Fleharty, Grass Range, 16.66. 8. Jaime Perry, Vaughn, 16.70.

Bull riding - 1. Richard Bird, Cut Bank, 81 on 525.