The inaugural Rodeo Billings opened under a big-sky sunset at MontanaFair’s brand-new outdoor arena, drawing a packed house to witness Billings’ newest PRCA stop in its debut year. With $15,000 up for grabs in rough stock and $7,500 in each timed event, the stakes matched the energy as the first gates cracked in the fresh dirt at MetraPark.

New Arena Means New Tradition

Night one also doubled as a ribbon-cutting: Rodeo Billings was the first event in MetraPark’s brand new outdoor venue, a centerpiece for MontanaFair. State and local leaders were on hand earlier in the day to celebrate the opening, underscoring the rodeo’s role in reviving big-ticket outdoor PRCA action in Yellowstone County.

Event-By-Event

Bareback Riding McAllister brothers headline
Ronan’s Trapper McAllister set the tone with 85.5 points, beating out brother Trevar McAllister at 84.5 for a family one-two finale. Tilden Hooper checked in at 77.5, with Shane O’Connell rounding out the board. The home-stretch flourish from Trapper drew the night’s biggest roar and the early bareback lead.

Steer Wrestling Blazing start
Traver Johnson stopped the clock at 4.1 seconds to seize the round, while LJ Albisu from Belgrade posted 5.5 for second. The bulldoggers wasted no time proving that the new alley and pen flow fast.

Team Roping Survive and advance
On a night that asked for grit more than style points, the duo Kash Bonnett and Logan Cullen put together 11.0 seconds to top the board. It wasn’t pretty, but what caught is caught.

Saddle Bronc Riding Standard set high
At just 20 years old, Jackson Ford of Sturgis stamped the early lead with 85.5 points, laying down a benchmark that will force the pen to reach to new heights on nights two and three.

Tie-Down Roping Precision wins
Former NFR average champ Riley Pruitt was textbook at 9.2 seconds, a crisp, low-drag run that held up through the perf and stood as the arena mark to chase heading into Friday.

Breakaway Roping Quick hands, cleaner break
Texas cowgirl Payton Scalzo snatched the victory with 3.3 seconds, clean on the pop and true on the line.

Night One Scoreboard
The Unofficial Day-Sheet Snapshot

• Bareback:

  • Trapper McAllister 85.5

  • Trevar McAllister 84.5

  • Tilden Hooper 77.5

• Steer Wrestling:

  • Traver Johnson 4.1

  • LJ Albisu 5.5

• Team Roping:

  • Kash Bonnett & Logan Cullen 11.0

• Saddle Bronc:

  • Jackson Ford 85.5 the leader for the night

• Tie-Down:

  • Riley Pruitt 9.2.

• Breakaway:

  • Payton Scalzo 3.3.

What’s Next

Rodeo Billings runs for two more nights with full slates as the standings tighten. Expect faster times as cowboys and cowgirls adjust to the new setup, and higher numbers from the bronc and bareback pens as the stock list deepens. PHOTOS COMING SOON.