News Updates
Six Pro Rodeo legends from Montana have been named as 2010 inductees into the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame for their contribution to the sport of rodeo: Ed Solomon ... Jack Bloxham ... Corky Schwend (deceased) ... Calvin Bohleen (deceased) ... Jack Carraher (deceased) ... Bud Pilcher (deceased).
The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame has established the "Cowboy & Cowgirl Western Heritage Award" to be awarded to those families who exemplify and promote our western way of life. The 2010 recipients of the award are: Mildred "Mickey" Styer ... Glenn Hutchinson .... Danny Cloninger ... Les & Lorraine Best .. Bill Staudenmeyer ... Allan & Ann Pursley
Montana's own artist/sculptor Bill Rains is creating a one-of-a-kind special painting of the "1989 Montana Centennial Cattle Drive". Truly a treasure, it will be valued at $8,500. Mr. Rains is donating this unique painting to the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Fame to benefit the scholarship fund. The 2'x4' framed painting will be the 1st prize, 2nd prize is $1,000 and 3rd prize will be a half beef donated by Mesa Bucking Bulls of Ryegate, MT. The drawing will be held July 14, 2010. If you are able to attend the January 30, 2010 function, the painting will be on display and you can meet Bill Rains in person. Folks, there are only one thousand raffle tickets available to be sold, so hurry!
To date, the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame has awarded a total of $144,000 in scholarship money. The first fundraiser netted sufficient funds to provide ten $3,000 scholarships. The second and third fundraisers were even more successful, providing twelve $3,000 scholarships each year. More information on this program is available at the Scholarship link. See our Events link information on the next fundraiser to be held January 30, 2010. The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame has recently established a scholarship endowment fund to ensure the continuity of their scholarship program. The 3rd Annual Fundraiser surpassed the goal of $100,000 in scholarships and as lo helped provide a $2,000 scholarship to Miss Rodeo Montana and a $1,000 scholarship to the Montana High School Rodeo Queen. In order to ensure the continuation of the scholarship program, a Scholarship Endowment has been established. For more information call 406-256-6515.
The fundraisers are "not to be missed" western celebrations honoring Montana’s rich rodeo heritage, with people coming from all over the United States and Canada to attend the festivities. This annual event is the largest congregation of folks ever assembled in Montana who value our Western way of life.
Plans are in full swing to build an additional brick and granite wall listing the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Champions, Montana Pro Rodeo competitors who have qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, Montana Pro Rodeo Queens, Montana Rodeo Committees and Personnel. The new wall is being funded by the sale of granite brand blocks engraved with Montana ranch brands. These brand blocks can be purchased by anyone wishing to have their registered brand displayed in perpetuity near the monument site. For more information, call 406-256-6515.
The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame Board of Directors is seeking new volunteers and advisors. If you are interested in helping in any capacity (as a volunteer, sponsor, donor, advisory committee, planning, etc.), please contact us.
Bronze replicas of the Dan Mortensen sculpture are still available. Visit our Replicas link to learn more about them and how you can purchase one of these beautiful, limited-edition, bronze sculptures.
The collector series belt buckles commemorating the unveiling of the Montana Pro Rodeo Wall and Hall of Fame Memorial and rodeo events are selling fast. Visit our Buckles link to see how you can purchase one of these very special limited-edition buckles for your favorite cowboy or cowgirl before they are all gone. Proceeds support the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame Scholarship Program.