As the action unfolded out in front of them, George Runquist turned to Lois Hill with good news.

“We have paid every bill,” Runquist told her. “All the walkup crowd for the final performance is profit.”

Hill smiled.

Her dream, everything she fought for – even risking her own money – had become a successful reality.

The NRA Finals presented by nuWest Builders is celebrating 50 years Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell.

The showcase event annually features the top 10 in each event and determines the year-end champions.

That snippet of conversation between Hill and Runquist took place a half century ago atop the bucking chutes at the Metra in Billings. “Everybody could see from up there,” said Hill.

The NRA Finals was the first rodeo to be held in the new building.

“We wanted the Finals at a really nice place,” said Hill, now living in Raynesford. “And the Metra people wanted to show it could do multiple events there.”

The journey from dream to a three-dimensional event was not easy and filled with doubt from many.

The project was a collective effort between Hill, her husband John, MetraPark general manager Bob Glasgow and stock contractor Dale Small.

“We used the last rodeos of the year to pass out buckles,” Hill said of previous rodeo seasons. “We wanted to do this right.”

The NRA and NWRA, with records dating back to 1960, is one of the strongest rodeo organizations in the United States. It has been a starting point for many and a landing spot for many others. Competitors span generations of families.

Some of the alumni include seven-time world champion Dan Mortensen, three-time team roping world champion Clay Tryan, 2019 world champions Haven Meged and Ty Erickson and two-time Professional Bull Riders world champion Jess Lockwood. Lisa Lockhart, the winningest barrel racer in WPRA history for career and National Finals Rodeo earnings, is a former all-around cowgirl champion.

The initial planning hit a pothole when $20,000 was found missing from the NRA account.

Hill remained undeterred.

“We’re not letting one idiot ruin it for 100 cowboys,” she declared.

As the deadline approached in the fall of 1974 to have the Finals or not, the committee scrambled to find ideas for initial funding.

“It was, ‘Should we have a Finals? We needed to make some money,” said Hill.

Discussions among committee members got heated.

Board member Ed Miller announced, “By God, if we go down, we go down fighting,” Hill remembered of one meeting.

And Hill never wavered.

“There were 1,200 cowboys depending on us keeping an NRA Finals,” she said. “My husband said it was going to kill me.”

According to Hill, Rick Halmes came up with the idea of selling $1,000 indentures with a promised return of $1,100 to the buyer.

“We were able to raise the money,” she said. “And pay them all off two months later.”

The NRA hired Runquist, out of Nashville, Tennessee, to handle promotions, marketing and ticket sales.

In February of 1975, the Metra opened the doors for the NRA Finals to decide the 1974 year-end champions.

Gerald Ford was president, gas was 57 cents a gallon and a person could by a loaf of bread for 27 cents.

“We wanted to have it in February,” said Hill. “By that time, people have paid off their Christmas bills.”

Hill wasn’t the only one happy to see it come to fruition.

“Everybody was excited,” said Dave Wagner of Laurel who repeated as bull riding champion. “It was like going to the National Finals Rodeo for us.

“Everybody was giddy. We were used to outdoor rodeos, not indoor rodeos. To us, it was such a big deal. It was the biggest building within 500 miles. At both ends of the arena, everybody was excited.”

The 1975 NRA Finals were highlighted by Bob Schall’s Triple Crown performance. The Arlee cowboy won year-end titles for bareback, steer wrestling and all-around.

Other 1974 champions were: Rex Taylor, saddle bronc; Lyle Cochran, tie-down roping; Glen Hough and Phil Luman, team roping, Shari Delp, barrel racing.

And there was more than just outstanding rodeo on display.

“We had a guy in a Gumby costume riding around the arena. The cowboys thought it was dumb but we wanted to keep the little kids happy,” Hill said with a laugh. “George wanted to make it entertaining for everybody.”

Hill defines the NRA having been a contestant, vice-president, barrel racing director and part of the advisory board for many years. Her children – Mary, LuAnn and Lyle – were NRA competitors.

Hill was also part of the group that brought breakaway roping to the NRA in 1976, being one of the first rodeo organizations to sanction the event. Her daughter Mary won breakaway roping titles in 1977 and 1980.

Hill doesn’t attend too many rodeos anymore. She does plan to be in Kalispell to see 50 years of her vision.

“When I take a job, I take it whole-heartedly,” Hill finished with a chuckle.