Spring season runs until mid-June with finals in Missoula

The 2007 high school rodeo spring season kicked off this weekend in Helena with more than 180 participants from around the state riding, roping and tying at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds.

John Hanson, coach of the Helena High School Rodeo Club, says he is pleased with how well his members have done, the great weather and the number of spectators that came to watch.

"The town of Helena has immensely supported us, he said with a big grin.

Cassidy Nordahl, a Helena High School junior, says she ran a "smoking" barrel and poles run but ended up tripping. However she did place fourth in the goat tying on Saturday.

She says she is glad to see a lot of faces in the stands because she and her teammates have put a lot of time and effort in preparing themselves and their horses for the events.

Roger Nordahl of Helena was behind the scenes all day on Sunday helping wherever he could. Nordahl, past president of the Northern Rodeo Association, has two granddaughters competing at the Helena rodeo, including Cassidy.

Nordahl says his dad wouldn't let him rodeo because back then, there was no money in it.

However, his four sons were all in rodeo and put themselves through college by doing it, he said.

"It is a good, clean sport," says Nordahl.

He says not only do team members learn to help each other, but they also have to be responsible by caring for their animals.

Many high school rodeo participants will head to Billings next weekend for the Billings High School Rodeo scheduled for April 7 and 8. The spring season runs until mid June and wraps up June 13-17 in Missoula with the State Rodeo Finals.