Trego cowboy Eash wins all-around title

Trego’s Gerald Eash won his fourth all-around cowboy championship and Shai McDonald of Gardiner won her first all-around title during the Northern Rodeo Association and Northern Women’s Rodeo Association Finals Saturday night at Majestic Valley Arena north of Kalispell.

The finals determine the 2019 year-end champions. The top 10 in each event qualify.

Eash was the high money winner of the season with $12,576. He qualified for the Finals in both saddle bronce and bull riding. McDonald, who also won money in breakaway roping during the year, finished with $10,717.

Polson’s Payton Fitzpatrick took first in the bull riding. He scored 75 in the first round and 81.5 in the second. He finished with $7,198.

Brady Tryan of Huntley, and roping partner Sid Sporer of Cody, Wyo. won the team roping title.

The duo won the first go, then placed second in the second and third rounds to win the average. Tryan jumped to first in the standings for headers.

Other champions were Kyle Callaway, Billings, steer wrestling; J2 Bridges, Dillon, bareback; Tyler Friend, Arlee, saddle bronc; Ryan Siemsen, Worden, tie-down roping; and Drew Zipperian, Bozeman, breakaway roping.

The Northern Rodeo Association’s regular season consists of more than 25 events from June to September throughout Montana and North Dakota.