Poplar Wild West Days were easy as 1-2-3 for the Kruse family.

It was a happy, and little richer, rig as they made the drive from northeast Montana back to the homestead in Bridger.

They had plenty to celebrate.

Father Jesse continued his hot start, winning the team roping with partner Axton Mansch of Great Falls. The 2009 PRCA saddle bronc world champion has cashed a check in the first three rodeos of the 2026 Northern Rodeo Association season, also competing in tie-down roping.

Mother Lindsay placed third in barrel racing, just five-hundredths of a second from first place. A four-time champion, she has been collecting checks in the Northern Women’s Rodeo Association since she was a teenager.

And the biggest smile came from daughter Paisley who was second in the junior barrel racing.

The three checks give the Kruse family a few more tanks of fuel to get down the road, some entry fees for upcoming rodeos and an opportunity to savor a good meal.

Poplar is annually paired with Culbertson with many of the same faces competing in both. The rodeos attracted competitors from North and South Dakota.

Tucker Tooke of Ekalaka swept the saddle bronc titles at both rodeos while Glendive’s Ben Ayre won the steer wrestling and tie-down roping at Culbertson.

The summer schedule accelerates with June coming to a close and the frenetic Fourth of July run fast approaching.

Starting in Gardiner and Wilsall this weekend, there are 10 performance days through June 28 as cowboys and cowgirls jockey for position in the year-end standings.

The regular season ends Labor Day weekend. The top 10 qualify for the NRA Finals presented by nuWest Builders, Oct. 22-24 at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell.

After Gardiner and Wilsall, the schedule continues with Bozeman (June 25), Polson (June 26-27), Big Timber (June 26-27) and Opheim (June 28).

Culbertson winners: Bareback, Seth Berg, Mandan, N.D.; Saddle bronc, Tucker Tooke, Ekalaka; Bull riding, no qualified rides; Steer wrestling, Ben Ayre, Glendive; Tie-down roping, Ben Ayre, Glendive; Team roping, Kenny Low-Shane Bessette, Great Falls; Barrel racing, Amy Sanborn, Willcox; Breakaway roping, Brook Kosich, Wibaux; Junior barrel racing, Austyn Rath, Helena; Junior breakaway roping, Axton Mansch, Great Falls.

Poplar winners: Bareback, no qualified rides; Saddle bronc, Tucker Tooke, Ekalaka; Bull riding, no qualified rides; Steer wrestling, Justin Bell; Tie-down roping, Shannon Sanborn, Big Timber; Team roping, Axton Mansch, Great Falls-Jesse Kruse, Bridger; Barrel racing, Brooke Billingsley, Glasgow; Breakaway roping, Rylee Ogren, Hysham; Junior barrel racing, Sophia Neill, Cascade; Junior breakaway roping, Axton Mansch, Great Falls.