Without people like Deb Lloyd, there are no rodeos

Without people like Deb Lloyd, there are no rodeos.

While others push to the front of the line to be noticed, the Helena cowgirl rolls up her sleeves and just does what is needed.

Lloyd has served many roles in Montana’s favorite sport … competitor, director, administrator.

And she continues to serve.

“Deb Lloyd has been instrumental in the Northern Rodeo Association, forever,” said Theresa Sorlie, the NRA executive secretary.

For her continuing contributions, Lloyd was selected the NRA Personality of the Year for 2024.

Lloyd was given the award during the recent 49thAnnual NRA Finals presented by nuWest Builders in Kalispell.

She was one of many individuals and bucking stock honored at the NRA’s premier event.

As a competitor, Lloyd was a many-time qualifier for the NRA Finals, finishing third in the breakaway roping standings in 1999 and third in the all-around cowgirl standings in 2006.

On the administrative side, Lloyd is a past Northern Women’s Rodeo Association president and past director for the junior events. She has also served on the board of directors and returned to serve on the board again currently.

“On my side. If anybody needs help, she says, ‘Yes.’ ” said Sorlie. “Deb has been that kind of person forever.”

Tito’s Challenge

Mitch Detton of Great Falls had a terrific NRA Finals.

Competing in steer wrestling and tie-down roping, the Montana State University student pocketed $6,488.79 across the three performances.

And for his efforts, picked up some additional walking around money.

Detton became the first competitor to win Tito’s Challenge, a $1,000 bonus awarded to the high-money winner at the NRA Finals. The award is sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

He placed in one round and won the average for steer wrestling and added three go-round checks and second in the average for tie-down roping.

Detton finished third in the year-end standings for both events.

Bucking stock

The cowboys and cowgirls were not the only stars of the NRA Finals.

The three-performance event at Majestic Valley Arena also showcased the top bucking horses and bulls from the NRA stock contractors.

Big Circle Rodeo was a double winner, with No Sho Reiner being chosen the top bareback horse of the NRA Finals while Bucking Sum Beach earned top bull honors.

The saddle bronc horse of the Finals was Wild Ann, out of the Red Eye Rodeo pen.

Rookies

Caiden Gray might be a newcomer to the NRA, but he rode like a veteran at the Finals. The Miles City teenager won the saddle bronc average in Kalispell. He placed first in the opening round and was second in the second round to jump from ninth to fifth in the year-end standings. Gray won the Montana state high school state title in the same building in June.

Gray was one of nine individuals to earn Rookie of the Year honors.

Other top rookies for 2024 were: Azreal Lara, bareback; Isaiah Sprecher, bull riding; Tatum Hansen, steer wrestling; Teagan Arnold, tie-down roping; Easton Bowers and Chris White, team roping; Jessica Stroop, barrel racing; Steely Stubblefield, breakaway roping; Tye Brown, junior all-around, barrel racing; Brooks Bolich, junior breakaway roping.

Hansen, also the reigning Montana state high school champion, competed at the NRA Finals along with Gray, Lara and Sprecher. Lara won the first round of bareback riding.