you can follow the group on Facebook at facebook.com/bigskyranchrodeofinals.
While the board is still finalizing which events the finals will include, it will be in four man teams, and the bronc riding
is a stand alone event. There will be categories for women's teams, youth teams, and women's steer stopping. As a
sanctioned rodeo, the board allows local committees to determine which events they will include.
Offering a 100% payback finals, the organization is driven to serve their members. With most ranch rodeo contestants
either owning or employed on working ranches, extensive travel is not always feasible. Whiteman also stated they felt
it was important to incentivize local ranch rodeos for cowboys and cowgirls looking to get their start or early in their
career.
"We aren't looking to take anything away from anyone or any other organization, we just want to offer another option
for people to compete at a great event," Whiteman explained.
In 2023, Whiteman made the trek to another ranch rodeo finals — a 22 hour drive one way. The time and sacrifice to
compete at the event solidified the importance of offering a ranch rodeo finals closer to home.
"So many cowboys and cowgirls just can't be gone for that long or may not want to drive that far to compete in an
event, no matter how good it is."
A working cowgirl herself, Whiteman and the board have considered things such as stalling. "When you're at an
event, stall fees for a whole team can really add up." For the 2024 finals, they will offer a set amounts of stalls to each
team at no charge.
The board aims to create a family friendly event, with jackpots, concerts, children's events, and more throughout the
weekend. Whiteman has plans for the 2024 event that have not yet been released, but the event is sure to be a bucket
list item for any cowboy or cowgirl.
For more information on sanctioning events, please contact Shania at 406-480-1203 or bigskyranchrodeofinals@
yahoo.com.
