Beck makes top ride at Incredi-Bull event
<p>Libby's Jason Colclough aboard the bull known as "Semper Fi."</p>
<p>Dakota Rice of Kellogg, Idaho finds himself on the north end of a south bound bull known as "Super Trooper."</p>
<p>Libby's Jason Colclough aboard "What's Up Doc" during the second round of Incredi-Bull 2015.</p>
<p>Shannon Rowberry receives a $1,000 scholarship check from Brett Bronson Saturday evening during Incredi-Bull 2015.</p>
<p>Bull fighter Casey Stuivenga keeps a close eye on "Ice Cream" after Dakota Beck's 83-point winning ride Saturday during Incredi-Bull 2015.</p>
<p>Gerald Eash of Trego garnered 80 points for his ride aboard "Dairy Queen."</p>
Bull Ehlenfeldt
<p>Zack Morrison rides the mini bull known as Yaak during halftime of Incredi-Bull 2015.</p>
<p>Dakota Beck of Moses Lake, Wash., with the 83 point winning ride aboard "Ice Cream" during Incredi-Bull 2015 at J. Neils Park Saturday night.</p>
<p>Ian Shafer of Columbia Falls has a not-so-graceful exit from the bull known as "Tom Cat" during Incredi-Bull 2015 at J. Neils Park Saturday night.</p>
The Incredi-Bull bull-riding event took place at J. Neils Park in Libby Saturday, June 13. The bleachers were full of people excited to watch man versus animal.
“It was probably the biggest crowd we’ve ever had,” Brett Bronson, the event coordinator, said. Bronson has been helping out with the event for eight years. He was also a bull rider and part of the rodeo for 13 years.
“My dad was in the rodeo. I just grew up on it,” Bronson said.
The Incredi-Bull is a non-profit organization that gives out a $1,000 scholarship each year to a graduating senior of Lincoln County. Shannon Rowberry, from Libby, was named the recipient of the scholarship.
The gates opened up at 4:30 p.m. and there were pony rides for the children before the main event. During intermission there was a miniature bull-riding contest. Four people competed in the miniature bull-riding contest. Winning the event was Libby’s own Tucker Masters.
The event featured 24 bull riders from around the area and they all had the chance to tame the beasts twice. All the bulls in the event were ranked. It came to no surprise when only three riders were able to record a score. In order to record a score the bull rider must stay on the bull for eight seconds.
The winning bull rider was Dakota Beck. Beck is from Moses Lake, Wash., and has been riding bulls for five years. Beck scored an 83 with his winning ride on the bull “Ice Cream.” Beck took home $2,877 as the event winner.
Gerald Eash, from Trego, came in second place. Payton Fitzpatrick, from Polson, came in third place.
Libby’s Jason Colclough competed in the event. Colclough, like so many of his peers was unable to record a score.
“They bucked him off twice,” Bronson said.
When asked why people love bull-riding Bronson said, “For one it’s a pretty active sport. It will probably be the roughest eight seconds of your life. The competitors pay their own entry fee and try to win. It’s an adrenaline rush.”
Bronson said he had a number of the bull riders tell him that Libby is one of their favorite events of the year.
“We have a beautiful arena,” Bronson said.
After the bull-riding event the Copper Mountain Band performed.
“We probably had 300 or more people stay for that,” Bronson said. “We shut down things around 12:30 a.m.” Bronson said.
“Thank you to all the sponsors and our volunteers. Without them this event would be impossible,” Bronson said. “A special thanks to Camaron and Amber Ruhter and Ashley Perkins. The four of us form a committee. Without their help this event would be impossible,” Bronson said.
“Anybody that’s ever rode bulls for a living will never lose that feeling. They never lose that urge, but then they get wise and realize the ground isn’t as soft as it used to be,” Bronson said. “It’s a way of life.”