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Dozens of area contestants qualify for Badlands Circuit Finals

Ninety-two cowboys and cowgirls from across North Dakota and South Dakota are dreaming of gold buckles.

Pro rodeo’s regional championship takes place next weekend in Minot, and those cowboys and cowgirls have punched their tickets to the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo Oct. 10-13. Winners will be crowned in each of seven events, with the champions winning gold buckles and the chance to go on to the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City next spring.

Headlining this year’s list are two South Dakota contestants who will compete on the national stage for a pro rodeo world title. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., is headed to her seventh National Finals Rodeo (NFR) this December, as is Cole Elshere, saddle bronc rider from Faith, who will compete at his second NFR.



Competitors from the Camp Crook/Buffalo area include steer wrestler Forest Sainsbury, bareback riders Jet Price, and Rollie Wilson, saddle bronc rider Jesse Bail, and barrel racer Jessica Routier.

Badlands Circuit champs returning to defend their titles are team ropers Preston Billadeau, Parshall, N.D., and Jared Bilby, Bridgeport, Neb.; bareback rider Joe Gunderson, Agar, S.D.; steer wrestler Forest Sainsbury, Camp Crook, S.D.; tie-down roper Justin Scofield, Volga, S.D., saddle bronc rider Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D., and barrel racer Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D.



The Badlands Circuit is made up of the 24 pro rodeos across North and South Dakota. Qualifiers to the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo must compete at a minimum of ten rodeos for Dakota residents and fifteen for non-residents.

Tickets are available for the Ram Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, hosted by the Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo. The rodeo, held Oct. 10-13 at the State Fair Center in Minot, determines the year-end champion for all pro rodeos in North and South Dakota. The rodeo will pay out over $100,000 and will determine the year end and average winner in each event, who will represent the circuit at the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo next spring. For more information on the rodeo, visit http://www.minotysmensrodeo.com or call 701-852-5577.

–Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo