What the Montana High School Rodeo State Finals Are
The State Finals is the year-end championship of the Montana High School Rodeo Association (MHSRA). Held at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell from June 8 to 13 in 2026, it brings together high school cowboys and cowgirls from across the state to compete in 16 events for state titles. Qualifiers earn the chance to represent Montana at the National High School Rodeo Finals, which were July 19 to 25, 2026 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Events
The association's standings track bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, team roping, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, boys cutting, cowhorse, trap shoot and rifle shoot, plus girls and boys all-around titles, across the 16 events of the finals.
How It Works
Each event is run in two go-rounds, and a championship round decides the finals. In 2026 the state competition wrapped on Saturday, June 13, with the championship round at 1:00 p.m. and year-end awards at 5:00 p.m. The finals were streamed live on the Cowboy Channel Plus app.
Who Competes: The 2026 Standings Leaders
Going into the finals, standings leaders as of May 30, 2026 included:
- Girls all-around: Aspen Swenson of Huntley (611.5 points), who also led goat tying and breakaway
- Boys all-around: David Wagner of Whitehall
- Bareback: Azreal Lara of Columbia Falls
- Barrel racing: Abigail DeVos of Fort Shaw
- Bull riding: Andy Wagner of Billings
- Saddle bronc: Colton Haase of East Helena
- Steer wrestling: Burke Nowak of Worden
- Tie-down roping: Pacen Buller of Glendive
- Team roping: Gentre Coulter of Baker and Garrett Dowdy of Huntley
- Pole bending: Mackenzie Martell of Three Forks
- Rifle shoot: Isabella Moran of Kalispell
What Happened in the Arena
Barrel racing was called the most competitive event, with 58 riders. In the second go-round, Brooklyn Russel of Helena set a record time of 15.61 seconds, and Burke Nowak set a record 5.72 seconds in steer wrestling.
What Competitors Get
The top finishers in each event qualify for the National High School Rodeo Finals. The state finals close the season with year-end awards.
Where
Majestic Valley Arena, Kalispell, Montana.
Questions
How many events are there?
Sixteen.
Where can I watch if I cannot travel?
The Cowboy Channel Plus app streamed the 2026 finals live.
Where do I find the full schedule and standings?
On the MHSRA website, mhsra.org.
Official Links
Major Montana Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
Montana's big three are MontanaFair in August, the NILE in October and the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale in May. All dates below are from the most recent published schedules, so confirm the current year.
MontanaFair
The Billings fair ran August 7-15 in 2026. The Junior Livestock Sale was Saturday, August 15 at 12:30 p.m. at the Expo. Entries go through an online ShoWorks system managed by MetraPark, and the Dept. A handbook holds the deadlines.
NILE
The NILE ran October 9-17, 2026 at MetraPark in Billings, with junior steer, lamb, goat and swine shows, the Junior Fed Sale on October 12 and rodeo performances. 2026 entries closed September 15, with a $50-per-head late fee after September 1.
Bucking Horse Sale
Miles City held its 75th Bucking Horse Sale May 14-17, 2026, with a parade, rodeo grand entries and wild horse races. It dates back to 1951.
Hauling in
Swine entering Montana need a health certificate issued within 10 days.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training Kalispell
Leader training covering rifle, pistol, shotgun, archery, muzzleloader and hunting skills in Kalispell, December 4-5, 2026.
Kalispell, MT Official event details - Northwest Montana Fair
Each year Kalispell hosts its county fair, most recently Aug 12-16, 2026, in Flathead County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 12-16 with 4-H livestock and project showing.
Kalispell, MT Official event details - Kalispell 4-H Fair
Kalispell 4-H fair in Flathead County, Montana. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 12-16, 2026, on the MSU Extension summer fair calendar.
Kalispell, MT | Organizer: MSU Extension Official event details - Montana FFA Ag Expo
Montana FFA Ag Expo with twenty-six career and leadership development events for FFA members in Bozeman, November 12 to 14, 2026. Volunteer judges are recruited each year.
Bozeman, MT | (406) 581-9299 | Organizer: Montana FFA Official event details - Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention and Trade Show
The 107th annual convention of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Billings, November 15 to 18, 2026.
27 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 | Organizer: Montana Farm Bureau Federation Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.