Record 952 teams chase $96,570 at Montana Challenge

When the dust settled at the 8th annual Montana Challenge May 6-8 at Majestic Valley Arena, 952 total teams had competed for a record cash and awards purse of $96,570, a 41.6 percent increase in total team count from last year's 672 teams.

Riders from 17 states and provinces competed for $32,037 in Ranch Sorting and for an additional $64,437 in Team Penning, in addition to 18 Novice and Youth trophy buckles.

Among local penners, Gerry Banzet and Tim Pearson, both of Kalispell, figured out a recipe for success at this highest-stakes penning and sorting that has ever been held in the state of Montana.

Banzet started out by taking fifth in the Open Sorting among 81 of the best teams competing in the world, and second in the No. 8 Incentive Class, with Dale Bates of Eugene, Ore., taking $776.48 at the pay window.

Then in the No. 6 Sorting Class, the largest class of the entire show with 106 teams, Banzet placed 1-2, taking first with Bigfork's Barry Nelson and second with Annie Britz of Whitefish, packing two additional paychecks of $920 and $662.40, respectively.

Banzet finished his frequent trips to the pay window by taking sixth in the Open Penning Class with Tom Britz of Whitefish and John May of Pennsylvania, with the same team taking second in the No. 12 Incentive Class, for a combined $666.16.

Tim and Ryan Pearson owned the No. 5 Penning Class. They teamed with Joe Waldoch of Plains, to win a cool $546.98 each, and the duo teamed with Sara Miller of Huson for third and an additional $273.49 apiece. The winning team also pulled a fast go check on Saturday. Tim Pearson also teamed with his wife Barb for eighth in the No. 3 Sort on Friday.

Other locals who were multiple winners included Matt Manley of Missoula, who took an eighth in the Open Sorting, sixth in the No. 9 Sorting and seventh in the Open Penning, Mitch Miller of Huson, who took a ninth in the No. 6 Sorting, seventh in the No. Sorting, and fourth in the No. 2 Incentive Sorting with Lacy Lee of Kila, and second in the No. 3 Incentive Penning with wife Peggy Miller and daughter Sara.

Tom Britz also pulled a second in the No. 9 Sorting Class with Troy Hayden of Rapid City, S.D., Liz Manley of Missoula took a 10th in No. 6 Sorting with Brad Schoepf of Eureka, and an eighth in the No. 5 Penning Class with Geoff Robson of Columbia Falls and Theresa Roberts of Hamilton.

Joe and Patti Waldoch also scored more than once at the pay window, taking second together in No. 3 Sorting, and then Patti Waldoch scored a third in No. 5 Penning with double winner Theresa Roberts.

Kalispell's Casey Pearson and Philip Wisnewski won the Youth Sorting Class. Wisnewski teamed with Belle and Samantha Manley of Missoula to win the Junior Youth Penning.

Kalispell's Ryan and Casey Pearson teamed with Ashton Rainey of Oxford, Fla., to win the Senior Youth.