Incredi-Bull: Event decided on final ride

As the second and final round came to an end at the Incredi-Bull Riding Blowout Saturday night at J. Neils Memorial Park, cowboys – a few pleased, but many defeated – changed out of chaps and spurs.

One rider, thrown from the bull without a qualifying ride, punched an arena panel before hopping over the fence and throwing down his gear. He bowed his head for nearly a minute before ripping the tape from his hand and discarding it on the ground.

Levi Hendrickson of Butte could very well have been that cowboy, but his luck took a 180-degree turn during the final ride of the night as he matched his body’s movement to the bull’s rhythm.

Hendrickson’s first bull triumphed, but the second beast dropped to the ground, allowing him to qualify for another ride.

In mere seconds – eight – Hendrickson went from having only $5 to his name to earning $2,120 in winnings and title of the highest scorer at the event. He won round two and had the best average. Brent Cann of Yarraman, Australia scored 87.5 and local bull riders Leroy Eash and Gerald Eash of Trego scored 87 and 81, respectively. 

With a grin that wouldn’t disappear, Hendrickson received handshakes and high-fives as he made his way from the chutes. He posed for a picture with a couple of kids before talking about the ride.

“I thought that he was throwing me off,” he told fellow riders. “I look over and I’m still on.”

Hendrickson and thousands of other cowboys in the country put their lives at risk to make a career out of a sport that generally spends more money than it makes.

“It’s how I make my living,” Hendrickson said. “If it doesn’t go well, I don’t get a paycheck.”

Hendrickson said he was headed to a rodeo in Arlee next and would be signing up for another one in Hot Springs.

“Now that I can afford to put gas in my truck and buy my pro card,” he said, “I’ll be entering Hot Springs tomorrow.”

Runner-up Cann started out in 2005 staying in Montana during the summer and then returning to his home in Australia. He recently made a more permanent move to Strathmore, Alberta, and took home $1,670 Saturday night.

“It’s a dream of mine to make money riding bulls,” he said after the 87.5-point ride.

Organizer Elizabeth Cates, president of this year’s event board, hopes that the Incredi-Bull Riding Blowout will continue to be a cowboy and crowd pleaser.

When event founder and retired professional bull rider P.J. Morrison moved away to Spokane, Wash. this year, it looked as though the competition was going to die after only two years. Cates stepped in three months before the event and organized a board.

The goal – just to make the event happen. In coming years, Cates said, when the board has more time to plan and raise money, it will achieve bigger objectives.

“We want to focus on making it grow in the next years,” Cates said.

Within the next year or two, Cates foresees the event becoming part of the challenger series Championship Bull Riding. With the name comes better quality bull riders, more money to the event and a better standing, Cates said.

Top Average Scores

(2 Rounds)

Name, Hometown (Earnings), Pts

1. Levi Hendrickson, Butte ($2,120), 90

2. Brent Cann, Yarraman, Australia ($1,670), 87.5

3. Leroy Eash, Trego ($1,270), 87

4. Gerald Eash, Trego ($2,017), 81

5. Ian Shepherd, Elko, British Columbia ($1,345), 75