2009 Champions/Photo Gallery

WILD WEST YELLOWSTONE RODEO

2009 Champions/Photo Gallery

Matt Lodahl 2009 Bareback Champion

2009 Photo Gallery

Bareback Riding
The Bareback riding champion for 2009 was Matt Lodahl. Matt sustained an injury to his riding arm right before the finals weekend and wasn't able to get on the first 2 nights of the finals. He got on the last night of finals and drew the bucking horse of the year Kiowa Kiley, who won the matchup but Matt's points ended up being just enough to edge out the Wild Wes Saul, who was right on his heels, and he won the buckle.

All Around
Matt also got on broncs this summer, which got him his next buckle. The all around was a tie this year between Matt Lodahl and Bobbe McMillan, who got her points in the breakaway and team roping. It wasn't untill Saturday night of the finals that there was even any ideas that there could be a tie, but the points showed up in the end. The duo split the $500 bonus given by The Wild West Pizzeria and each got a trophy buckle.

All Around Champions Matt Lodahl & Bobbe McMillan

Breakaway Champion Bobbe McMillan

Breakaway Roping
The breakaway roping came right down to the wire. 2008 champ Leah Parsch led the WWYR standings for the later part of the season and it didn't look like anyone was going to catch up. But it all came down to the last night and Bobbe McMillan ended up sqeeking in and taking home the championship.

Saddle Bronc Champ Thomas Nerlin

Saddle Bronc Riding
Thomas Nerlin was the man on top in the saddle bronc this year. He caught fire right from the get go and held on untill the end. He had pretty stiff competition from his traveling pardner Kade Ensign but it was Thomas who ended up with the buckle.

Barrel Racing Champion Jill Georgio

Barrel Racing
The barrel racing was a crazy race right down untill the last night of the finals. It was up in the air and nobody could even guess who would win. West Yellowstone natives Jill Georgio and Rusty Morgal battled it out all summer long and the whole rodeo had to wait while the secretary figured up who won. When it was all said and done and the dust settled, it was Jill who came out on top.

Doug Torgerson Champion Header

Nate Thompson Champion Heeler

Team Roping
The team roping was pretty crazy too. By the time the finals rolled around there was 6 guys who had a chance at the championships. However, it ended up being Doug Torgerson and Nate Thompson who won the year end championship.

Bull Riding
No suprise here! West Yellowstone's own Mark Phillips came through again. Mark jumped into the lead right off the bat in June and never let go of his lead. He had some pretty stiff competition from the rest of the pack but he held on and walked away the champ....again!

Jr. Bull Riding
We can't forget the Jr. bull riders! These up and coming kids are getting on bulls that are just as big and rank as the rest of the bulls. This year it was Beau Powers who took it all home. Congrats Beau!

Bull Riding Champion Mark Phillips

Jr. Bull Riding Champion Beau Powers

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