BOULDER - When bareback rider Quentin McCauley of Boulder was done with his ride on a horse called "Swamp Donkey" at the NRA Jefferson County Rodeo on Sunday, he did not have high expectations for his score.

But McCauley was pleasantly surprised when the PA announcer proclaimed a "75," which launched him past Billings' Bradley Crawford's 67 for the championship.

"It didn't feel as good as it was," said McCauley, who went into the weekend leading the Northern Rodeo Association bareback standings. "The horse fell down about halfway through the ride, and when he got back up, he didn't perform as well as he started."

Then he paused, and added with a grin, "But I guess I can't complain about it, because I won."

An interested observer on the sidelines was fellow Boulder cowboy Ben Wrzesinski, who was leading the bareback before breaking his leg two weeks ago. Wrzesinski is hoping to be back in time to ride in a benefit for Scott Owens (Toston) on Sept. 19, in Townsend. Owens is out indefinitely with a broken back.

The Jefferson bull riding title was shared by the home town's Ryan Parsons, and 16-year-old Nevada Newman of Melrose, as both scored 79 apiece.

The diminutive Newman, who stands just 5-feet-3 and tips the scales at 100 pounds, was awarded a reride after his first bull, Full Metal Jacket, fell on top of him. The bull fighters were able to get the Brahma off him and helped the teenager to his feet, but after a couple steps, a whoozy Newman staggered and almost fell down.

The gritty youngster then regrouped to later post his title-tying performance on a bull called One Eyed Jack.

"Oh yeah, I'm OK, just a sore forehead is all," Newman said.

The steer wresting, which was won by Shawn Dunagan of Whitehall in 3.90 seconds, consisted of six local-area cowboys finishing in the top nine. Helena's Jason Armstrong (4.60) and Walt Anseth (4.90) placed second and third, respectively.

Roddy Cameron of Townsend tied for fifth (5.10), while the Capital City's Shannon Blixt and Jon Hoovestal shared seventh (5.50 each). Tim Sparing came in ninth (6.40).

Hoovestal's effort had the potential of a 4-second throw, but he explained that when he put his hand on the steer's back, his horse Tug Boat slowed down somewhat.

"When I got in the hole, the steer didn't quit, and I had to hang onto my horse's head," said Hoovestal. "But Roddy Cameron did an excellent job hazing, and (Tug Boat) did good on the ground."

The ladies barrel racing was garnered by Darae Larson of Belt, in 16.78, edging Helena's Annie Novotny, at 16.86. Lisa Hedden of Wolf Creek took fifth (16.98), Helena's Shelby Blixt tied for eighth (17.15), and Lindsay Knaff of Winston came in 10th (17.16).

"I thought we clocked OK, considering how sticky the ground was. My horse stalled a little bit on each barrel," Knaff explained.

Ryan Siemsen of Billings won the tie down roping, in 9.4, while Great Falls' Shawn and Shane Bissette captured the team roping, in 5.70.

The saddle bronc was garnered by Leroy Eash of Fortine, with an 85.

Ali MacCarty of Prior won the ladies breakaway roping, in 1.9 seconds, with Helena's Cee Cee Tryan placing fifth, at 2.3. The junior breakaway was copped by Quade McQueary (Belgrade), and Ty Steele (Arlee) won the junior barrels.

Results, page 3B

Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net