Chalee Harms, riding Hippy, competes in the Pole Bending at the MT State High School Rodeo. (Photo courtesy Mike Clark, Billings Gazette. More of Mike's photos from the event may be found at https://406mtsports.com/rodeo/photos-montana-high-school-rodeo-association-state-championships/collection_b41a1184-2ee7-5524-a29b-5066455b7541.html#10)
Garrett Cunningham is pictured with the championship saddle. (Photo courtesy Heather Cunningham)
The Montana High School Rodeo Association held its 2020 State Finals in Baker the first week of June. Much of the spring rodeo season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the ability to hold the finals was a much-welcomed event. The rodeo committee put in a lot of extra work to ensure all safety protocol was followed. Hand sanitizer stations were set up, temperatures were taken each morning, and kids were asked to only have one helper on the chute. Rodeo attendees were asked not to gather at trailers and have BBQ's. The scene may have looked different, but the cowboys and cowgirls were thankful to be able to compete.
From the Broadus Rodeo Club, Kortny Cathey competed in Team Roping, Garrett Cunningham in Saddle Bronc and Team Roping and Chalee Harms in Reined Cowhorse, Cutting, Barrels, Poles, Team Roping, Goat Tying, and Breakaway. Chalee won the state finals and year-end titles in Reined Cowhorse and Girls Cutting as well as capturing the state finals Girls All-Around title. Garrett Cunningham was the state finals and overall Saddle Bronc Champion. In year-end standings, Harley Meged placed 2nd in Poles, 1st in Breakaway, 4th in Girls Cutting, 4th in Cowhorse, earned the Teskey's Top Hand Award, won the Girls All Around, and placed 5th in Team Roping with partner and fellow Broadus Rodeo Club member Tele Harmon.
Montana's top-four year-end points winners in each event qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo, which is scheduled for July 17-23 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Best of luck to our local qualifiers, Chalee, Garrett and Harley!
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