Bulls rule opening night

The bulls were bucking and kicking at Friday night's opening of the Rocky Mountain Extreme Bull Riding Challenge 2012 at Majestic Valley Arena.

"We brought the juice. These riders are going to need to bear down," said Pete Triplett, of Columbia Falls, one of four contractors who supplied stock for the event.

And bring the juice they did. The bulls were particularly tough.

There were only three scoring rides in the first round:

n Preston Lewis, of Browning, with an 88;

n Gerald Eash, of Trego, with an 86;

n And Sandy Deschaun, of Canada, with a 79.

Seven others stayed on their bull long enough to advance to the short go.

Among them was Jared Jacoby, of Kalispell, who stayed on his bull for just over seven seconds.

Eighteen-year-old Cody Brewer, also of Kalispell, drew some healthy applause from the crowd for his exciting, if shorter than hoped, time on his bull.

"Any mother would be proud to call that boy her son. Look at that form," the event announcer said.

In the short go, Beau Nordahl, of Missoula, managed the only scoring ride, posting an 81.

Lewis finished Friday night first in average, followed by Eash, Nordahl and Deshaun.

At least two of the bulls featured in Friday night's event competed in the Professional Bull Riders 2011 World Championship in Las Vegas.

"Awesome," Bo Carpenter, of Rocky Mountain Rodeo, said of Friday night's match ups.

"We've got some world class bulls here, and some world class riders, too," he said.

Carpenter said he predicted a better night ahead tonight.

"These guys are Mr. Saturday night," he said.

The Bull Riding Challenge continues tonight at 7:30. Gates open at 6.

p.m.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.