MANDAN, N.D. – The opening night of the 136th Mandan Rodeo Days started and ended with Iowa cowboys in the driver’s seat in two of the three rough stock events.
Bee Jay Scott ,Photo by: Jackie Jensen
Bee Jay Scott, who has been riding bareback broncs for more than two decades, showed the youngsters how to ride in style. The Otley, Iowa, cowboy scored 81 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Blueberry Buckle. Mandan’s National Finals Rodeo (NFR) cowboy Ty Breuer was second with 79. Another Iowan, Jimmy Maten of Donahue, was the only bull rider to make a qualified ride. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rookie scored 80 points on Rock River Red and pocketed $1,400 day money in addition to any prize money he wins in the overall rodeo. Maten had never been on the bull, but expected Rock River Red to turn back to the right. “He made one round to the right and then came back around to the left,” he said. Maten was sporting a facial injury from last weekend in Clear Lake, S.D., but was feeling pretty good after his ride. Texas cowgirl Megan Williams-Mariluch leads the barrel racing with the only time under 16 seconds—15.87. Michelle Lummus of Hiram, Ga., the leader after 86 barrel racers in Thursday morning’s slack, still held second place with a 16.17, despite an early morning storm that dumped more than an inch of rain and left the arena muddy. Blake Mindemann of Blanchard, Okla., the fourth steer wrestler in the slack, leads that event with 4.2 seconds. Mandan Rodeo Days continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 3 with Patriot Night and concludes at7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Unofficial leaders from the 136th Mandan Rodeo Days after Thursday, July 2 in Mandan, N.D. Bareback Bronc Riding: 1. Bee Jay Scott, Otley, Iowa, 81 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Blueberry Buckle. 2. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 79. 3. Tate Schwagler, Mandan, N.D., 76. 4. Kyle Brennecke, Stephenville, Texas, 75. Steer Wrestling: 1. Blake Mindemann, Blanchard, Okla., 4.2 seconds, 2. Kory Calson, Dunn Center, N.D., 4.4, 3. Tom Hansen, Killdeer, N.D., 4.5. 4. Cameron Morman, Glenullin, N.D., 4.7. Tie-down Roping: 1. Logan Hofer, Magrath, Alberta, Canada, 9.6 seconds Dustin Entzel, Killdeer, N.D., 11.0 seconds, 2. Jon Peek, Berthold, N.D., 11.4, 3. Justin Scofield, Volga, S.D., 11.8, 4. Rusty Parmely, Wolsey, S.D., 13.5 Saddle Bronc Riding: 1. JJ Elshere, Hereford, S.D., 81 points on on Dakota Rodeo’s Hermit. 2. Ty Manke, Hermosa, Calif., 78. 3. Ryan Elshere, Elm Springs, S.D., 77. 4. Louie Brunson, Interior, S.D., 73. Team Roping: 1. Clayton Miller, Billings, Mont., and Hank Hollenbeck, Molt, Mont., 5.5 seconds. 2. Brent McInerney, Alzada, Mont., and Cody Hutchison, Moorecroft, Wyo., 5.8 seconds. 3. (tie) Al Fuchs, Teton Village, Wyo., and Sloan Hendley, Abilene, Texas, and Scot White Oelrichs, S.D., and Jayden Johnson, Casper, Wyo. 6.4. Women’s Barrel Racing: 1. Megan Williams-Mariluch, Daingerfield Texas, 15.87 seconds. 2. Michelle Lummus, Hiram, Ga., 16.17 seconds, 3. Kailee Webb, Isabel, S.D., 16.23. 4. Wanda Brown, Edgemont, S.D., 16.29 Bull Riding: (one qualified ride) 1. Jimmy Maten, Donahue, Iowa, 80 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Rock River Red.
I grew up on a Midwest farm with dirt under my fingernails and the sound of wind rustling through cornfields. My childhood was all about 4H – raising pigs and horses, learning to bake and sew, and discovering the magic of transforming a garden into jars of summer sunshine. Those years taught me the value of hard work, the thrill of seeing a project through to the end, and the simple joy of creating something beautiful. A country girl with a need for speed and a thirst for adventure. Maybe that's why I love the feeling of wind in my hair – whether I'm cruising down a dusty road on my Harley or tackling a mountain trail on my trusty mountain bike. Some of my earliest memories of rodeo are watching my father compete at small local events. That's also where my love for country music comes in – long car rides listening to 8 tracks. The lyrics and melodies always spoke to my soul. These days, you'll find me cheering on the cowboys and cowgirls at rodeos, two-stepping to my favorite bands, belting out a country tune at a concert or sharing stories and laughter with friends around a bonfire. When I'm not soaking up the country life and getting my boots dirty, I'm a nurse, caring for folks in my community. Follow along for more stories from the heart of rodeo and country life!
