Small Town, Big Scores: MSU-Northern Extreme Bares & Broncs Challenge

The MSU-Northern Extreme Bares & Broncs Challenge, held in the small town of Havre, Mont., brought big names and big scores to the Bigger Better Barn in an effort to raise funds for their college rodeo team.

Brody Wells, one of the co-champions of the MSU-Northern Extreme Bares & Broncs Challenge in the saddle bronc riding. / PRCA photo by Alaina Stangle

The Montana State University-Northern rodeo team helped put on the annual Extreme Bares and Broncs Challenge in Havre, Mont. This event has become a key event for the Havre community, which looks forward to hosting it every year. The rodeo competition took place on March 29 and 30 at the Great Northern Fairgrounds in the Bigger Better Barn.

This annual event is also a huge fundraiser for the MSU-Northern college rodeo team, which competes in the Big Sky Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Head coach Doug Kallenberger and his team work to get sponsors to help put on the event. With hard work to prepare for a great weekend of competition, this event helps raise funds for the rodeo team.

Because of the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, this event at the end of March is really the kickoff for the Hi-Line rodeo season and a sign that spring is on its way. Rodeo fans enjoy watching the best of the best compete right there in their hometown, and this year was no different.

MSU-Northern PRCA Extreme Bares & Broncs Challenge Results:

In the bareback riding, Ethan Mazurenko from Kaycee, Wyo., came out on top with a score of 87.5 points. He rode the J Bar J's Think Pink. This win added over $5,000 to Mazurenko's 2024 earnings. Behind him on the leaderboard were several big names in the bareback world, including the 2023 world champion, Keenan Hayes, who placed third at the event.

Bareback Riding Results:

1. Ethan Mazurenko, 87.5 points on J Bar J's Think Pink, $5,386
2. Cole Franks, 86, $4,129
3. Keenan Hayes, 85.5, $3,052
4. Wacey Schalla, 85, $1,975
5. Gauge McBride, 83.5, $1,257
6/7. Bronc Marriott and Weston Timberman, 83, $808 each
8/9. Caleb Bennett and Lane McGehee, 82.5, $269 each

In the saddle bronc riding, there was a tie at the top between Brody Wells of Powell, Wyo., and Cash Wilson from Wall, S.D. With scores of 83 points, each of them took home just under $5,000. Wells got on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo's All Jacked Up, while Wilson rode Prairie Wolf, also from Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo. This check helped these cowboys' cause, as they are both currently in the Top 30 in the World Standings.

Saddle Bronc Riding Results:

1/2. Brody Wells, on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo's All Jacked Up, and Cash Wilson, on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo's Prairie Wolf, 83 points, $4,882 each
3. Layton Green, 82.5, $3,132
4. Jake Watson, 82, $2,027
5. Riggin Smith, 81, $1,290
6. Dawson Dahm, 80.5, $921
7. Colt Gordon, 80, $737
8/9. Ian Forbes McGivney and Mitch Pollock, 79, $276 each

The Extreme events have become important for cowboys making their living on the pro rodeo trail with Gold Buckle dreams. Many world champions and NFR qualifiers were seen competing on the Northern Montana dirt there while traveling to different rodeos across the country. Living on the road for most of the year, these cowboys enjoy small-town hospitality like what is shown in Havre, Mont.