Eureka's Bull Thing to feature region's top bullriders

Top bullriders from around the region will gather in Eureka on Saturday for The Bull Thing – a popular attraction during the Lincoln County Fair.

The event, hosted by the Tobacco Valley Rodeo Association serves as the finals for the Elite Professional Bullriders. According to the EPB, this year’s total purse in Eureka will be $26,000 thanks to an increase in added money.

The top 30 riders in money will be eligible to compete at the rodeo.

Cole Burman of Bozeman, 23, ranks as the No. 1 bullrider in the EPB money rankings.

The EPB’s top 10 money list also includes Shay Howey of Helena, James Warfield of East Helena, Andy Sivertsen of Belt, Curry Fielder of Cody, Wyo., Codey Brixey of Nampa, Idaho, Gerald Eash of Trego, Tyler Dellen of Bozeman, Parker Breding of Edgar and Newly Sivertsen of Belt.

Eighteen of the top 30 riders are from Montana – although the official standings could’ve changed based on results from last week’s Bull-A-Rama in Browning.

Levi Hendrickson of Arlee, who had the top average score at The Incredi-Bull event in Libby, ranks 11th in the EPB standngs.

The Bull Thing gets started with 30 riders in two long rounds, followed by a top 10 short round. Bullriders will vote on livestock from the first two rounds to determine what bulls will be used in the short round.

The bullriding is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. An arena dance will follow.

MHP, local law enforcement plans to step up patrols

The Montana Highway Patrol and local law enforcement plan to step up patrols in the Lincoln County area in preparation for the fair and The Bull Thing.

Law enforcement will work together in Crash Prevention Units with the main focus on targeting impaired drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of both.

The Highway Patrol will also have its Mobile Impaired Driving Assessment Center set up at the U.S. Forest Service Building on Highway 93 just north of Eureka. The vehicle helps facilitate the rapid processing of impaired drivers that are arrested for driving under the influence.

Patrolman Duane Bowers will be conducting public tours of the MIDAC unit on Friday and Saturday between 5-10 p.m.