Powder River Examiner -

June 25, 1948

Irion’s “Drifter” Wins Endurance Contest

“Drifter”, owned by Tim Irion of Olive and ridden by Billy Stewart of Mizpah, won the 127 mile Hell Creek-Miles City endurance ride Saturday, June 19 in 12 hours, 10 minutes, and 36 seconds coming into the Miles City rodeo grounds 26 minutes ahead of B. Pfeifer of Jordan and F. Liverty of Miles City.

The winner’s share of the prize amounted to $2880. The second place Pfeifer, riding for T. Robertson of Jordan collected $2160 with the time of 12 hours, 36 minutes and 23 seconds. Third place paid $1440 and was won by Liverty, riding for Jim Devine of Miles City. His time was 12 hours, 36 minutes, and 24 seconds. The second and third place winners were neck and neck coming into the home stretch at the rodeo grounds with Pfeifer barely nosing out Liverty at the finish.

Ivan Seward, Ingomar, Montana cowboy won fourth place and $720 as his share of the prize in time of 13 hours, 41 seconds. Seward rode his own horse.

The race started at 5:24 p.m. Friday afternoon when 67 horses and riders out of 72 entered got off to a fast start from the shores of Fort Peck Lake. The road, because of the recent rains had to be bulldozed and graded to make the race possible.

The horse owned by Tom Gilmore of Broadus was the first into Jordan at approximately 8:17 p.m. Jordan was the first two hour stop along the way.

Stewart, on Drifter, was first into Angela at approximately 4:10 a.m. and was well ahead of the pack as he reached the old Yellowstone road and made his way into Miles City and the finish line at the Miles City rodeo grounds.

This was the second annual endurance ride sponsored by the Miles City Range Riders to start their annual Range Riders Reunion.

The horses and men were carefully watched throughout the entire 127 miles by state veterinarians and representatives of the Humane Society. According to all reports, finishing horses were in good condition and apparently no harm had come to the horses by this endurance test.

Officials of the race announced prior to the start that eight horses and riders must finish the contest because of saliva test being given the finalists and the fact that any or all of the winning four might be disqualified for the use of stimulants to the animals. No disqualifications were announced.

Stewart, riding another Tim Irion horse, “Parade” finished second in the Sheridan-Billings endurance race held June 3 to open the Midland Empire Go Western Parade celebration.

June 28, 1973

Forty Miles… A Long Ways to a Picture Show

Miss Kebi Rue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vic Rue, of McLeod and Miss Tammy McCullough, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold McCullough, of Ashland arrived in Broadus Thursday evening after a long day’s journey on horseback. The girls rode horseback from the Bill Trusler ranch near Ashland to Broadus to attend a movie at the Pastime Theatre that night. The girls are about 12 and 14 years old and are both avid horsewomen.

The girls discussed their journey and worked their horses for about a week in preparation for the long ride. They had tested the speed and endurance ability of the horses and judged the time to allow for the 40-mile ride and their estimate coincided very closely to the actual time of their arrival in Broadus. They left the Trusler ranch at 6:00 a.m. and arrived in Broadus about 12 hours later, in time for a rest before the long awaited movie.

Kebi is visiting her grandfather Bill Trusler, in Ashland and when the girls arrived in Broadus they visited the home of Tammy’s grandmother, Mrs. Helen Y. Irion.

Travelers on the road that day and telephone calls from residents along the route kept concerned, older worriers informed on the girls’ progress throughout the journey.

June 25, 1998

Rodeo Club Members Place Well at State

By Carol Hilliard

Broadus High School had an excellent showing at the Montana State Finals in Miles City this past weekend. Jiggs Bilbrey, Grant Gatlin, Jesse Fleming, Ashley Williams and Heidi Butts all came back on Sunday in the Short Go. Jodi Larsen, Jesse Fleming, and Ashley Williams all qualified for the National Finals with first through fourth year end finishes, and will be going to Gillette in July. Jesse, Jiggs, Grant, Ashley and Heidi all qualified for the Silver State International Rodeo by placing fifth through tenth. This rodeo will be held in Fallon, Nevada, July 1st-5th.

The Short Go and Year End results are as follows:

Queen Contest: Nancy Turnbough won Impromptu Speech and tied for Miss Congeniality.

Pole Bending: Short Go - Heidi Butts, 21.07 sec., Year End - 10th place.

Barrel Racing: Short Go - Ashley Williams, 22.29 seconds.

Breakaway Roping: Short Go - Ashley Williams, 3rd place, 4.39 sec., Average - 3rd place with 14.87 seconds on 3 head, and Year End - 4th overall.

Girls Cutting: 1st Go - Jodi Larsen, 1st place, 143, 2nd Go - Jodi Larsen, 1st place, 145, Short Go - Jodi Larsen, 3rd place, 141.5 and Year End - 1st place overall.

Calf Roping: Short Go - Jesse Fleming, 14.40 sec., Average - Jesse Fleming, 3rd place, 41.01 seconds on 3 head and Year End - 2nd place overall.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Short Go - Jiggs Bilbrey, 1/2/3 place split, 71 points, Year End - Jiggs Bilbrey, 6th place overall and Year End - Grant Gatlin, 8th place overall.

Team Roping: Year End - Jesse Fleming, 5th place overall.

The team overall has had a very successful year and can be proud of their accomplishments! We wish the best of luck to Seniors, Jodi and Jiggs, and look forward to a new season with everyone else.