Year 5 for Mid-States Finals in Custer County!

Locals among 125 competitors

BROKEN BOW “Awesome!” is the word Jill Austin used to sum up the 2021 Mid-States Rodeo Finals. “This is our fifth year in Broken Bow.”

According to Austin, Secretary/Treasurer for the Mid-States Rodeo Association (M-SRA), there were 125 competitors this year. Add the contracted personnel - judges, timers,

bull fighters, secretaries and others - to that total and you get about 150 people associated with the rodeo - and their families - in Custer County for the three-day event.

Custer County Fairgrounds Administrator Michelle Nelson estimated 300 spectators attended. She gave praise to the more than two dozen volunteers needed for the rodeo.

“I have to say that all

of our volunteers deserve a huge shout-out!,” Nelson said. “Without them, this rodeo would be impossible to put on. There is a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ stuff that has to be done. We are very fortunate to have an amazing community with all the supporters and the volunteers.”

This is the fifth year the Finals have been held at Trotter Arena at the Custer County Fairgrounds.

The M-SRA signed a one year contract for the 2017 finals to see how it went and then committed to 2018-2022.

“I feel that we (the Custer County Ag society and the M-SRA) have a very good relationship and we’re looking forward to year #6,” Nelson said.

Competition is held for Steer wrestling, Bareback riding, Breakway, 45 & over tie down, Mixed

team roping, Saddle bronc riding, Tie down roping, Team Roping, Barrell racing and Bull riding.

Competitors came from eight states - Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska. Local contestants hailed from Anselmo, Arnold, Broken Bow, Callaway, Mullen, Oconto, Sargent, Taylor and Thedford.

“This year was another

great finals and everything went smoothly,” Nelson added. “I am so very thankful for the (Ag Society) board also! They have all put a lot of time and effort into making the finals happen and I appreciate that and them!”

Since next year is the last year for the current contract, Nelson encourages people to make it count.

“Every year we try to get more of the community out to the fairgrounds to enjoy at least one of the three performances and that is something I would like to encourage for next year. Let’s aim to fill those stands and show the contestants truly how great Custer County is,” Nelson said. “Next year is our final year to host the Mid-States Finals, unless a bid is submitted and accepted. So, 2022 will be the best one yet!”

Local competitors who finished in the top for the entire weekend were: Logan Glendy of Oconto, fourth in Bareback; Cord Hesseltine of Arnold, first in Steer Wrestling; Branda Marsh of Thedford, third in Barrel Racing; and Ashley Odenback of Taylor, fourth in Barrel Racing.

In round one, Jeff Johnston of Thedford and Quincy Opela of Stapleton were first in Team Roping with a time of 6.2. Only a tenth of a second slower for second were

Spencer Sinner of Sargent and Dawson McMaster of Madison, Kan. Cord Hesseltine had a fourth place in Steer Wrestling split with Kris Rasmussen of Riverdale, each with a time of 4.8.

On Saturday for round two, Cheryl Wallace of Broken Bow was second in Barrel Racing with a time of 17.43.

Round three on Sunday saw Opela and Ginalee Spencer of Sargent take first in Team Roping with a time of 6.1.

Mona Weatherly Zane Smith of Callaway is astride a horse named “Stitches” in the third round of Bareback at Mid-States. Stitches is known for tough rides and this was no exception as Smith came off the horse before eight seconds.

Mona Weatherly Gracey Rodocker of Thedford rounds the second barrel in the third round of Barrel Racing at the Mid-State Rodeo Finals at Trotter Arena this weekend. Rodocker finished this run with a time of 18.41.

Mona Weatherly Dirt flies as Cheryl Wallace of Broken Bow turns at the first barrel Sunday afternoon. Wallace ended with no time as her horse balked at the third barrel, however, she was second on Saturday with a time of 17.43. She finished 9th for the year overall.

Mona Weatherly Above, Rusty Kluender of Broken Bow, participates in 45 and Over Tie Down Roping Sunday afternoon at the Mid-States Rodeo. Kluender finished with no time as the lasso popped off the calf’s nose, however, for the 2021 season, Kluender finished fourth.

Mona Weatherly More photos pg A8 and www.custercountychief.com Koby Jacobsen, riding the bull Sunday afternoon at Mid-States Rodeo Finals, was the only rider to stay on for all three rounds. Jacobsen won Bull Riding for the weekend and placed first in Bull Riding in year end standings.