Chute out: Clearwater Rodeo completes successful weekend series

Two hundred-plus cowboys and cowgirls converged on Clearwater, June 23 to 25, entertaining large crowds during the three nights of rough-and-tumble competition.

More than 50 took home prize money and bragging rights from the 56th annual Clearwater Rodeo, which drew large crowds each evening, according to Clearwater Chamber of Commerce president Curt Thiele.

"The crowds are absolutely amazing. We built a church for roughly 3,500 people and who would think some nights we need more spacing."

Thiele called the competition level "some of the best."

"Especially in the rough stock, with four qualified bull rides and a $1,000 bounty bull rider."

Bearinger Tax and Accounting, LLC, of Clearwater, provided a 1K check to Dillon Micheel, after he survied an eight-second ride during Sunday evening's performance.

Raile Jones, of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, scored 83 in bull riding, coveting the top spot. He earned $1,282.16.

Judges' scores totaled 81 for Jason Kursave, of Arcadia. His second-place finish netted $961.62.

Nate Bausch, of Chadron, received $641.08 for his third-place finish. He scored 70.

Jett Sjeklocha, a Hayes Center native, ended in fourth place after receiving 69 points for his performance. He took home $320.54.

Another Belle Fourche cowboy took the top prize in bareback. Reece Reeder earned $555.54 for his ride, which judges scored at 78.

Cinch Kiger, of Overton, and Cole Kerner, of Sutherland, received 72 points, tying for second. They each received $416.66.

Rowdy Moon, of Chadron, placed fourth, earning 71 points and $277.77. Kashton Ford, of Chadron, ended in fifth place and earned $185.18.

The tie-down roping crown belonged to Luke Madsen of Lawton, Iowa. Madsen finished in 10.2 seconds and received $757.83.

Others placing in the event included Dawson McMaster, Madison, Kansas, 10.4, $561.84; Jay Hollenback, Valentine, 10.4; $561.84; Chip Wilson, Lemoyne, 10.5, $365.85; Nathan Sandoz, Atkinson, 11.6, $235.19; and Brent Hurlburt, Norfolk, 12.7, $130.66.

Hollenbeck's time won the 45 and over tie down division and he rode away with a prize of $733.29.

Atkinson's Cale Buss finished second, tying with Hurlburt, at 12.7. Both received $543.65.

Mark Lovitt, of Tryon, ended fourth in 15.6 and took home $354. Bryon Painter, Ainsworth, placed fifth, in 15.7 and received $227.57, while Kash Paulsen, of Whiting, Iowa, roped in 16.4, ending in sixth place. He received $126.43

Andy Knott, of Taylor, and Dalton Pelster, of Burwell, received $1,050.45, for the team roping title. They finished in 6.9 seconds.

Camden Hoelting of Olpe, Kansas, and McMaster, along with Brook and Monte Jamison, of Ashby, tied for second, with 7.1. Each team earned $787.84.

Madison's Kurt Freudenburg and Norfolk's Nik Austin placed fourth, with an 8.4 run. They received $525.23.

Travis Hemelbracht, of Bancroft, and Jace Fritz, of Springfield, South Dakota, ended in fifth, with a time of 8.5. The duo received $350.15.

The breakaway roping title went to Chenoa VandeStouwe, of Inwood, Iowa. She finished in 2.3 seconds, taking home $1,223.97. Second-place honors belonged to Maddee Doerr, of Creighton, whose 2.5 time earned her $1,012.94.

Others placing in the event included Danielle Wray, Ord, 2.7, $801.91; Emily Knust, Burwell, 3.1, $485.37; Jessica McMaster, Madison, 3.1, $485.37; Georgie Lage, Sutherland, 3.2, $105.32; and Misti Brown, Valentine, 3.2, $105.32.

Six saddle bronc riders took home prize money. Brody, McAbee, of Ansley, won the event, scoring 79 points and earning $733.29. Monte Bailey, of Lakeside, finished second, receiving 78 points. He earned $606.86.

Jackson Ford, of Sturgis, South Dakota, took home $480.43 for a third-place finish. He scored 75 points.

Others earning money in the event included Chris Nelson, Lake Andes, South Dakota, 72, $290.79; Miles Kreeger, Lake Andes, South Dakota, 72, $290.79; and Ridge Ward, Martin, South Dakota, 70, $126.43.

Thayne Kimbrough, of Ohiowa, won steer wrestling. He finished in 4.2 seconds and received $905.03. Two bulldoggers tied for second place, finishing in 4.9. Taylor Davis, of O'Neill, and Lane Day, of Chadron each earned $670.98.

The final three who placed finished in 5 seconds. Cinch Painter, of Springview; Gabe Taylor, of Valentine; and Austin Hurlburt of Norfolk each earned $291.27.

Barrel-racing queen Dori Hollenbeck took control of the pattern, Saturday, with a run of 16.04. She took home $1,273.09.

Hollenbeck edged out Cheryl Wallace, of Broken Bow, who ran 16.08. Wallace received $1,053.60.

Ainsworth's Patty Finney ran 16.45 to place third. She earned $834.10. D'Ann Gehlsen, of Mission, South Dakota placed fourth, running 16.46. Gehlsen earned $614.60.

Emaley Cole, of Norfolk, ended fifth, running 16.52. She received $395.10 and Mary Dugan, of Greeley, ran 16.56, to end in sixth place. She earned $219.50.