When a cowboy leans into Casey Collins along the arena fence and says, “This ain’t rocket science,” Collins just smiles and nods his head in agreement.

Collins knows.

He is a rocket scientist.

The 32-year-old Collins is probably the only competitor on the Mountain Health Co-op Tour who can make that claim.

Monday through Friday, Collins works from home as an engineer for a defense contractor, “Focusing on warhead testing,” he said of nuclear missiles.

Weekends are for rodeo.

Competing in steer wrestling and tie-down roping, Collins has been an all-around contender in the Northern Rodeo Association the past few years.

He qualified in both events for the 2024 NRA Finals presented by nuWest Builders and won the second round in steer wrestling to finish fifth in the all-around cowboy standings.

Collins is currently third in this year’s standings.

“That’s a funny question to ask,” said the uber-friendly Collins of his favorite event. “I have to say like everybody else, whatever I’m doing best at.

“The goal, as it is for everybody, you want to win. To be in a place to be in the Finals. The big thing is to win the all-around.

He has already pulled multiple checks in both events, winning the steer wrestling at Wilsall and Shelby.

Collins’ rodeo roots run deep. His parents Mike and Elaine competed in the Northern Rodeo Association and Northern Women’s Rodeo Association.

Mike Collins, competed in steer wrestling and tie-down roping. He qualified for the Finals in both events in 1982 and 1984 and for steer wrestling in 1988. His best year was 1984 when he finished second in steer wrestling, third in tie-down roping and fifth in the all-around cowboy standings.

“I remember going on the road with my father during the Fourth of July,” said the son. “The NRA has a lot of sentimentality for me. There is where I got the passion. This is what I want to do. Dive into it.”

Collins’ rodeo path has been long and winding. Born in Dillon and raised in Helena, Collins graduated high school in Big Horn, Wyoming after moving there with is father.

His start in rodeo began with an ulterior motive. “There was a girl in eighth grade and I wanted to impress her,” Collins said.

He competed two years for the University of Wyoming rodeo team while pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. Eventually, he had to choose one or the other.

“Being in chemical engineering, as much fun as rodeo was, I had better buckle down,” said Collins.

He veered from the arena into politics, taking almost a 10-year hiatus from rodeo.

Collins interned for a lobbyist firm, then worked for Greg Gianforte’s senate campaign. He followed Gianforte to Washington, D.C.

“It’s tough to work in an area that has more concrete than my whole state,” said Collins. While there, he helped craft trucking legislation to help rodeo families in transportation.

During Gianforte’s governor campaign, Collins served as a field representative, working from Bozeman to Hysham. “I was his eyes and ears,” Collins said.

Collins also finished his degree on-line from the University of North Dakota.

“Politics said to me, ‘You have an engineering degree,” he said. Through a connection, he joined Rayethon. “It was cool to build missiles.”

He also returned to rodeo.

“It’s my passion but another kind of job,” said Collins.

He splits his time between Montana and Arizona, competing in multiple rodeo circuits. Collins is currently staying at Miles Kobold’s place in Huntley. The two have been friends since high school. Kobold is team roping with Tony Schieck of Floresville, Texas this summer.

Collins has been training with Canadian champion Lee Graves to improve his steer wrestling.

Collins thanks Graves, along with the group of the Never Sweat Ranch – father Mike, Gary Walker and John South for his continued success.

“Oh, it’s great to be back,” said Collins of rodeo. “I can’t imagine not doing it. It’s what keeps me connected to my roots. The people are second to none.

“Like they say, the world needs more cowboys.”

Last week

Long drives don’t scare Caden Fitzpatrick.

It’s almost 480 miles from Scobey to Eureka but that didn’t stop the Polson cowboy from winning the bull riding at both rodeos. He has won three bull riding events in a row.

There was plenty of double-dipping during the Scobey and Eureka rodeos. Miles City cowgirl Chalee Harms won the breakaway roping and was second in barrel racing at Scobey.

At high-paying Eureka – 13 checks of $1,000 or more were handed out – Tatum Hansen of Glasgow (steer wrestling, tie-down roping), Choteau’s Molly Salmond (barrel racing, breakaway roping), Belgrade’s Rachel Ward (barrel racing, breakaway roping) and Celie Rogers of Choteau (barrel racing, breakaway roping) returned home with two checks.

Idaho cowboy Cooper Pavkov won the Eureka steer wrestling in 3.9 seconds, the fastest time of the summer.

How close was the barrel racing in Eureka? How about a three-way tie between Lisa Warfield of Helena, Ashley Schad of Whitefish and Charlo’s Abby Knight. All clocked an identical time of 17.35 seconds.

Scobey winners: William Barnett, Absarokee, bareback; Gavin Nelson, Wibaux, saddle bronc; Caden Fitzpatrick, Polson, bull riding; Jack Cornwell, Glasgow, steer wrestling; Robert Sperry, Trotters, North Dakota, tie-down roping; Shayne Bishop-John Graham, Glasgow, team roping; Tye Brown, Helena, barrel racing; Chalee Harms, Miles City, breakaway roping Quincey Langan, Glendive, junior barrel racing; Easton Diegel, Glendive, junior breakaway roping.

Eureka winners: Leighton LaFromboise, Helena, bareback; Judd Applegate, Deer Lodge, saddle bronc; Caden Fitzpatrick, Polson, bull riding; Cooper Pavkov, Gooding, Idaho, steer wrestling; Blaise Bolich, Belgrade, tie-down roping; Shawn Bird, Cut Bank-Dylan Johnson, Billings, team roping; Lisa Warfield, Helena, Ashley Schad, Whitefish, Abby Knight, Charlo, barrel racing; Molly Salmond, Choteau, breakaway roping; Sophia Neill, Cascade, junior barrel racing; Royce Levine, Wolf Creek, junior breakaway roping.

Up next

The Mountain Health Co-op Tour slows down with just one event this weekend.

The Superior Lions Club Rodeo is August 1-2 with 8 pm. performances each night.