HELENA – They may stand only four feet tall, but the competitors of the annual Stick Horse Rodeo are some of the proudest cowboys and cowgirls around.
For more than 30 years the annual competition has fostered rodeo culture by introducing kids to the events.
Even world-class cowboys like Ty Erickson competed in the Stick Horse Rodeo once upon a time.
On Wednesday kids ran barrels with a stick horse between their legs, tried their hand at roping, participated in a boot race and even got on the back of a fake bull.
Lauren Gunderson was named this year’s Stick Rodeo Princess.
She says she really likes the rodeo and enjoys riding with her big cousin, professional barrel racer Taylour Russell of Conrad.
“It’s fun because you can actually tell the horses what to do and I had never really done that. I think that’s really cool because you’re training an animal so big,” said Gunderson.
The event was put on by Big Sky Brokers, Harrington Pepsi Cola and the Montana Radio Company.
