STOCK / HORSES OF THE YEAR

They are the other half of the equation.

The four-legged partners competitors cannot do without.

The hard-bucking rough stock provides half the points. The timed event horses get competitors to the right place in a hurry.

And the best of the best will be showcased at the Northern Rodeo Association Finals presented by nuWest Builders, Oct. 24-26 at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell.

The NRA’s premier party will determine the year-end champions in each event from the 2024 Mountain Health Co-op Tour.

Red Eye Rodeo produced two of the best buckers. Voted on by the cowboys, High Line was selected Bareback Horse of the Year while Ferdinand was selected the Bull of the Year.

The Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year is Jagger Knot, out of the Jacobs Lilvestock Rodeo pen.

While the rough stock accounts for 50 percent of the score, a good timed event horse can tilt the equation in favor of competitor.

And making the cowboys odds-on favorites every time out of the box is Bernie, the Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year owned by Walt Anseth of Helena.

“It’s very humbling because your peers vote on it,” said Anseth. “Bernie is a horse that gives you a chance to win.”

Bernie one of six equine athletes to earn Bill Parker Timed Event Horses of the Year honors.

Parker was a six-time NRA champion, winning all-around cowboy, tie-down roping and team roping titles. Known for his horsemanship, the Billings cowboy served as a mentor to many wanting to rope better. Parker, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in both tie-down roping and team roping, passed away in 2016 from pancreatic cancer.

It is the third time in four years and fifth time overall that Bernie has been chosen the steer wrestling horse of the year by bulldoggers. The 23-year-old sorrel gelding was first honored in 2010 after carrying owner Jason Armstrong to the gold buckle the same year and again in 2016, 2021, 2022 and this year. Anseth purchased Bernie from Armstrong after the 2010 season.

“He stands really good in the box, scores well and runs to the cattle hard,” said Anseth, the 2007

NRA steer wrestling champion. “Bernie is probably not the fastest horse out there, but he gets out fast without breaking the barrier.”

“If there is a mess up, it’s usually operator error,” he finished with a chuckle.

Austin Whitehouse and Logan Beattie, both of Helena, are scheduled to ride Bernie at the NRA Finals. Bernie carried Whitehouse to wins at Conrad, Harlowton, East Helena, Havre and Three Forks.

The number cowboys wanting to ride Bernie might increase as the Finals approach.

“The most we had was six at a rodeo,” said Anseth of the summer. “Guys will call me and plan ahead. At certain set-ups we limit him to four.

“If a guy needs a ride, I usually let them ride Bernie. That’s how I was brought up. You give a guy an opportunity to win.”

At last year’s Finals, Whitehouse and Bignell each won a round on Bernie and finished 1-2 in the average. Bignell was the year-end champion while Whitehouse placed second overall.

Sharing the prized horse is also profitable for Anseth. He gets one-eighth of a competitor’s earnings for loaning the horse and another for serving as hazer aboard his veteran horse Dollar.

Anseth pocketed $1,722 at the 2023 Finals from Bignell and Whitehouse.

“I make more with the mount money. The mount money keeps me going,” added Anseth with a small laugh. “As long as Bernie is feeling good, we’ll keep running him.”

Rough Stock of the Year

Bareback: High Line, Red Eye Rodeo

Saddle bronc: Jagger Knot, Jacobs Livestock Rodeo

Bull: Ferdinand, Red Eye Rodeo

Bill Parker Timed Event Horses of the Year

Steer wrestling: Bernie, Walt Anseth

Tie-down roping: Tusock, Jesse Medearis

Team roping heading: RH Sauced N Dandy, Chad Turner

Team roping heeling: Java, Zach and Brittany Schweigert

Barrel racing: Friday Night Headline, Lisa Warfield

Breakaway roping: Puddles, Molly Salmond

Junior barrel racing: Mia Special Lynx, Tye Brown

Junior breakaway roping: Annie, Brooks and Bentz Bolich