Johnson a hit in NW Montana Fair rodeo debut

If he didn't have a reason to come back before, he sure does now.

Gillette, Wyo., cowboy Chet Johnson, in his first appearance ever at the Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo, took home the saddle bronc title Saturday night with a dandy 83-point ride on lively bucking horse named Firecracker at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

It was the fourth rodeo in four nights for Johnson and it included a classic dismount which saw him sail high over his horse as if he had been ejected from the saddle and land squarely on both feet on the arena floor to the delight of a sold-out crowd.

"A big crowd, you gotta put on a show," said Johnson afterwards.

However, it was also a risky move. Johnson broke his heel doing the exact same thing after a successful ride.

"It's been a year since I've done that," he said.

"I told myself I'd never to it again."

But he says adrenaline got the best of him.

"I guess I'll allow myself one a year," he said of his crowd-pleasing stunt.

Johnson, ranked 12th in the latest world saddle bronc standings with $43,092 after 59 rodeos, was matched with Firecracker for the first time.

"I was pretty nervous (to ride him)," said Johnson.

"He's the kind you're suppose to win on. And if you screw up, you feel pretty bad."

There was no fouling up this ride as Johnson was in charge from the time he left the chute until the final whistle sounded eight seconds later.

"He felt better than I thought he would feel," said Johnson.

"I'm pretty blessed to have drawn a horse like that. Drawing is half the battle" to having a successful season.

This marks Johnson's fifth year carrying a PRCA card. It's also been his most profitable.

He opened the season by winning the Odessa Rodeo in Texas and the short round in Houston.

"Trying to get to the NFR," said Johnson of why he added Kalispell to his rodeo list of stops for 2005.

"The money (is good here) and I like Kesler (Championship Rodeo) horses. Hopefully I can keep on getting these kind of horses."

Johnson, 24, is still well behind saddle bronc leader Jeffery Willert of Belvidere, S.D., ($106, 579), but he is sitting in good position to reach his first National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas come December. The top 15 in all events advance.

Johnson competed in Jackson, Wyo., on Friday, Canby, Ore., on Thursday and Caldwell, Idaho, on Wednesday.

"Four days off," he said.

"First time in a month I will be home."

He came into the final night of action needing to beat a score of 81. Sam Kelts of Millarville, Alberta, posted that total on Friday.

Seven-time world champ Dan Mortensen of Billings had the top ride on the first night with an 80.

Team ropers Chris Witcher of Billings and Shane Bessette of Belt used a 5.8 second time Saturday to win the team roping.

Saturday's Results

Bareback - Forest Bramwell, Pagosa Springs, Colo., 76; Scott Owens, Havre, 75; Monty Koopman, Medicine Hat, Alberta, 71.

Steer wrestling - Jesse Peterson, Dillon, 4.5; Jim Garrison, Glen, 5.3; Will Stoval, Roberts, 5.6; Mark Roy, Dalemead, Alberta, 8.2; Shawn Downing, Townsend, 19.0; Rian Conway, Browning, 13.7.

Saddle bronc - Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo., 83 on Firecracker; Jess Martin, Dillon, 73; Hugh Connolly, Golden Valley, N.D., 68; Josh Harden, Arrowwood, Alberta, 62.

Team roping - Chris Witcher, Billings, and Shane Bessette, Belt, 5.8; Mark Salmond, Choteau, and Sam Levine, Wolf Creek, 7.0; Rich Carpenter, Kalispell, and Marcus Wilcox, Kalispell, 12.3.

Tie-down roping - Shane Eberline, Dillon, 10.2; Nate Baldwin, Rigby, Idaho, 11.7; Ryle Harms, Livingston, 11.7; J.C. Crowley, Poplar, 12.3; Bart Smith, Deer Lodge, 13.7.

Ladies barrel race - Luanne Cutler, Ennis, 16.24; Deanna Levine, Dillon, 16.30; Darcy Mapston, Geyser, 16.31; Chris Eberline, Dillon, 16.72; Raelene Konzak, Geyser, 16.73; Bobbie Reeves, St. Ignatius, 16.87; Julie Lenore, Wolf Creek, 17.05; Jana Perry, Charlo, 19.89.

Bull riding - No rides.

Final Results

Bareback - 1. Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo, 85 on Painted Smile, $1,627.06; 2. Kyle Bowers, 77, $1,232.63; 3. Forest Bramwell, 76, $887.49. 4. (tie) Troy Solomon, and Scott Owens, 75, $468.39 each; 6., Andy Bolich, 74, $246.53.

Saddle bronc - 1. Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo., 83 on Firecracker, $1,898.10; 2. Sam Kelts, 81, $1,455.21; 3. (tie) Billy Etbauer and Dan Mortensen, 80, $885.78 each; 5. (tie) James Irish, and Shaun Stroh, 79, $379.63 each; 7. Jarrett Monroe, 77, $253.08; 8. Jess Martin, 73, $189.81.

Bull riding - 1. (tie) Zach Oakes, Tonasket, Wash., and Richard Bird, Cut Bank, 81, $2,703.50.

Steer wrestling - 1. Jim Pat Smith, no town listed, 3.7, $1,922.80; 2. K.C. Jones, 3.9, $1,672; 3. Jesse Peterson, 4.5, $1,421.20; 4. Nick Stubblefield, 5.0, $1,170.40; 5. (tie) Bart Fouts, Casey Martin and Dean Gorsuch, 5.1, $668.80 each; 8. Jaren Whitman, Mark Radue and Les Shepperson, 5.2, $55.73 each.

Tie-down roping - 1. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 9.3, $1,818.30; 2. Bill Boyce, 9.8, $1,504.80; 3. Boyd Brooks, 10.1, $1,191.30; 4. Shane Eberline, 10.2, $877.80. 5. (tie) Travis Caldwell and J. Billingsley, 11.2, $438.90 each.

Team roping - 1. Chris Witcher, Billings, and Shane Bessette, Belt, 5.8, $1,212.20 each; 2. Derrick Fleming/Kory Mytty, 6.1, $1,003.20; 3. Brett and Zane Williams, 6.3, $794.20; 4. Bill Boyce/Pat Pendergrass, 6.8, $585.20; 5. Mark Salmond/Sam Levine, 7.0, $376.20; 6. Sam Bird/Tell Steinbach, 7.2, $209.

Barrel racing - 1. Terri Kay Kirkland, Billings, 15.82, $1,514.01; 2. Melanie Southard, 16.04, $1,297.73; 3. Mercede Knudson, 16.17, $1,081.44; 4. Barbie Regan Powell, 16.19, $937.25; 5. Tammy Eberline, 16.22, $720.96; 6. Luane Cutler, 16.24, $576.77; 7. (tie) Peggy Schluter, Deanna Levine and Shelly Anzick, 16.30, $312.41 each; 10. Darcy Mapston, 16.31, $144.19.