Bull buster
Triplett captures 2nd state prep rodeo title
By DAVID LESNICK/The Daily Inter Lake
It's a mismatch in size only.
Matt Triplett, a slender 17-year-old, weighs in at 155 pounds and stands just 5-foot-8 in his cowboy boots and jeans.
Your average bull, on the other hand, tips the scale between 1,200 to 1,500 pounds.
Advantage, bull.
But when it comes to true grit, determination, physical skills and mental toughness in the chute and for those eight, wild, precious seconds where anything can happen in the arena, advantage Triplett.
"It's the best feeling ever, I love it," Triplett said of being in the chute, waiting for the gate to open.
As far as the ride goes …
"It's indescribable." he said.
"It's the best feeling ever. It does go by fast (eight seconds)."
Triplett wrapped up a second-straight Montana High School Rodeo Association state championship in bull riding earlier this month in Bozeman. The senior-to-be at Columbia Falls High School did so by posting some high quality scores - 73 (Carrot Top), 77 (Stone Child) and 83.
"I can't remember that one," he said of the final bull he rode.
"Been on Stone Child; rode him both times. First time on Carrot Top and the one in the finals."
The bull Triplett rode in the final go was Junior Offender, out of the Red Eye Rodeo Company stock.
"Just a good using bull, one we pack to a lot of rodeos," Red Eye owner and former NRA finals bareback and saddle bronc rider Kaehl Berg said of Junior Offender.
"Six years (old), he's pretty user friendly."
Regarding Triplett, Berg says he's impressed with the young cowboy's demeanor in and out of the arena.
"He always has a positive attitude," Berg said.
"And he tries hard on every one."
There were 43 prep bull riders at state and Triplett was one of two who managed to advance with the maximum number of points - 70. He competed in 60 rodeos (fall and spring season) and was bucked off only a handful of times.
"Just keep your mind set, just stay focused on what you have to do and just ride them jump for jump," Triplett said of his bull riding strategy.
"I got that (advice) from my dad."
His father, Pat Triplett, is a former PRCA bull rider. He's also a big reason Matt has elected to compete in what is often called the toughest sport on dirt.
"Well, he (dad) says I have more talent," said the prep star.
"But he was really good, too. He could never make it (to the National Finals Rodeo) because he always got hurt. I've been sore, but I've never been hurt. God has kept his hand over me. He blessed me."
Triplett, by winning a state championship, will compete in the 61st annual National High School Finals Rodeo in Farmington, N.M., next month. He says this trip will be less daunting than last year's.
"The pressure got to me," he said of his first NHSFR appearance.
"I didn't concentrate the best I could have."
Triplett rode twice in New Mexico, and was bucked off both times.
"Last year it was crazy," he said.
"It was like the biggest rodeo I've ever been to."
The high school rodeo attracts more than 1,500 contestants from the U.S., Canada and Australia. This year, 41 states will have competitors at nationals.
"I'm just going to look at it as another little rodeo," Triplett said.
It will also be his longest rodeo trip of the season. The previous one was on the Hi-Line to Glasgow. Helping Triplett with all his travel expens has been Amore' Salon and Spa, Nate Nye Construction and Glacier Mountain Painting.
"I'll practice (bull riding), lift weights and run a lot," he said of the month-long break between state and nationals.
He also plans to attend NRA competitions with his high school teammate and longtime friend Matt Baumgartner before heading south.
Does he worry about injuries in the meantime?
"You don't think about that," he said.
"If you do, you shouldn't be."
Triplett has already accomplished one goal - winning state. He feels his other one is just as realistic.
"My big goal was to win nationals," he said.
"Two long goes, one short one - just like state."