Milliron, Stewart take titles in cutting
Two event newcomers looked more like seasoned veterans in cow cutting Friday evening as the District 5 High School Rodeo opened a three-day run at Majestic Valley Arena.
Jessica Milliron of Polson easily won the girls competition with Derk Stewart of Corvallis equally as impressive in claiming top honors for the boys.
Milliron posted scores of 71 and 72 for a 143 total while Stewart had two 2-1/2 minute goes of 70 and 67 for a 137 winning score.
"My mom owns a really good horse," said Stewart of how he got started in cutting.
"I've only been on one (cutting horse) 15 times."
Stewart competed on Chumley, a sorrel quarter horse.
"Just to do it, improve my horsemanship," he said of his fascination with the event.
"I stayed on, that's all that counts."
Like Stewart, Milliron is in the second year of cow cutting. She, however, is currently the state leader in the event.
"I always thought it would be kinda fun," said Milliron, who will attend the University of Montana on a full-ride rodeo scholarship.
"I had some friends doing it. They let me use one of their horses last year."
Milliron has competed in this timed event just three times this season, also winning the average at outings in Billings and Dillon.
She came to Kalispell with 37 points, but earned 30 here by winning the two district sessions (20 points) and a qualifying round (another 10 points) prior to that.
"It helps me (cow cutting) in the all-around," said Milliron, who is entered in six events at district.
"It would be easier (to specialize in a few events), but I like to challenge myself.
"It's independent," she said of cow cutting. "I like how you can turn your horse loose and let them work."
Finishing second were Ashton Stephens of Corvallis, 67-69-136, and Levi Guenzler of Ronan, 63-63-126.
Lexy Rianda of Kalispell placed fifth, 60-61-121.
Milliron last year advanced to the National Finals High School Rodeo in cow cutting and finished 45th out of 300 competitors. She will take the maximum number of points (50) to the State Finals High School Rodeo later this month in Helena.
Today and Sunday, Milliron will compete in barrel racing, goat tying, breakaway roping and team roping. She leads the state in pole bending, is second in breakaway roping and 10th in goat tying.
"I'm good in everything," she said with a laugh.
"I just like doing it all."
Stewart, on the other hand, has just one event remaining, team roping.
Stewart and Milliron will also join forces in team roping at the district since their normal roping partner's are from other parts of Montana. Stewart normally ropes with Colter Gruel of Great Falls and Milliron with Travis Nichols of Helena.
Stewart, who has accepted a full ride scholarship from Northeast Texas College, last year claimed a state rodeo title in team roping, but finished second in the year-end standings.
Rodeo action today is scheduled to begin this evening at 7 and 10. The rodeo concludes Sunday at 3 p.m.
Normally, this event would have been held at the Majestic outdoor rodeo arena. But because of wet grounds was moved indoors.
Thus, the rodeo is sharing the area with another horse competition, which made for some scheduling problems.
District 5 High School Rodeo
Friday at Majestic Valley Arena
Cow Cutting
Girls
1. Jessica Milliron, Polson, 71-72-143; 2. Ashton Stephens, Corvallis, 67-69-136; 3. Sarah Guenzler, Ronan, 66-65-131; 4. Brynn Erb, Dillon, 62-64-126; 5. Lexy Rianda, Kalispell, 60-61-121.
Boys
1. Derk Stewart, Corvallis, 70-67-137; 2. Levi Guenzler, Ronan, 63-63-126.