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Contact Us

Bobcat Rodeo Office
PO Box 172080
Bozeman, MT 59717
Office: 406-994-2403
Fax: 406-994-2703
mtrue@montana.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can I get on the MSU Rodeo Team?
  2. Can anyone be a member of the MSU Rodeo Program?
  3. Do I have to be a team member to go to the College National Finals Rodeo?
  4. What will happen if I don't make the required GPA?
  5. Will I be excused from class to attend the college rodeos?
  6. Does the rodeo team travel together to the rodeos?
  7. What if I am injured during rodeo competition?
  8. Where do I keep my horses?
  9. How many college rodeos are there and when is the season?
  10. What other responsibilities do Bobcat Rodeo Members have?
  11. How many people are on the MSU Rodeo Team?
  12. When and where does the team practice?
  13. How far do we travel, how long are we gone, and how much does it cost?

  1. How can I get on the MSU Rodeo Team?
    Send in a resume, copy of your grade transcripts, and a DVD or VHS highlighting your talents in the rodeo arena. Please mail to:

    MSU Rodeo Office
    PO Box 172080
    Bozeman, MT 59717
    Office Phone: (406) 994-2403
    Cell Phone: (406) 570-2054
    Fax: (406) 994-1918
    E-mail: mtrue@montana.edu

    Check our Prospective Students page and our Walk-On page for more info.

  2. Can anyone be a member of the MSU Rodeo Program?
    We are no longer accepting Walk-Ons. To be considered as a member on our team you will be required to send in a video, resume, grade transcript, and a letter. We look for well rounded individuals who will represent MSU well in the classroom, the community, and in the rodeo arena. Everyone on rodeo team is required to buy a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) card. The 2007-2008 cost of the NIRA card is $255.

    Six men and four women are selected each weekend to be on the "points team" to earn team points as well as individual points. Only the points scored by the "points team" members will be counted toward the team standings. However, ALL members are allowed to travel to and compete at the rodeos for individual points and prize money regardless of being chosen for the "points team".

  3. Do I have to be a team member to go to the College National Finals Rodeo?
    No, the CNFR will take the top three individuals in each event, top two individuals in the all-around, and the top two teams from each of the eleven regions. Please refer to the NIRA rulebook for better defined rules on CNFR qualifications.

  4. What will happen if I don't make the required GPA?
    The first and foremost reason for attending Montana State University should be to receive an education. If your grade point average is below a 2.0, you will be ineligable for college rodeo. You are also required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours. If you should become ineligible, any scholarhip you have will be taken away and you will not be able to compete for the semester.

  5. Will I be excused from class to attend the college rodeos?
    Yes! Excused absences are given by the university for National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association trips. However, you will be responisble for making the arrangements to make up any missed work. Attending rodeos other than NIRA are permitted while competing in the NIRA, but are not excused by the University.

  6. Does the rodeo team travel together to the rodeos?
    Each contestant is responsible for his or her own travel arrangements and are encouraged to travel together in order to develop the camraderie that is a necessary part of a winning team. Hotel rooms are provided for all members by the college. Part of fuel expenses may be paid depending on funds, and money for meals may be given to "points team" members. Contestants are responsible for their own entry fees.

  7. What if I am injured during rodeo competition?
    Membership in the NIRA includes secondary insurance coverage for travel, practice, and participation in approved rodeos. Montana State University will not be responsible for hospital or doctor's fees.

  8. Where do I keep my horses?
    MSU does not offer any kind of horse boarding for members of the Rodeo Team. Each person is responsible for finding their own boarding arrangements for their horses. Here are a few of the horse boarding operations in the valley:

    Heritage Farms (about a mile from our practice facility)
    3336 Spain Bridge Rd
    Belgrade, MT
    406-388-2027

    R Lazy 5 Horse Boarding (within a few miles of our practice facility)
    1040 Nelson Rd
    Bozeman, MT
    406-586-8155 or 406-581-4067

    Shamrock Stables (within a few miles of campus)
    5809 Gooch Hill Rd
    Bozeman, MT
    406-586-2669

    Tri-H Stables (within a few miles of campus)
    400 Van Dyke Rd
    Bozeman, MT
    406-587- 7822

    Private leases on horse boarding, pastures, and grass turnouts are available and may be listed in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. An online editon of this local newspaper may be found at www.bozemandailychronicle.com

  9. How many college rodeos are there and when is the season?
    10. There are a total of 10 college rodeos and the season is split between the fall and spring. The fall rodeos in the Big Sky region begin the first weekend of September and end the first weekend of October. Spring rodeos begin the first weekend of April and end the first weekend of May. Click here for the rodeo schedule

  10. What other responsibilities do Bobcat Rodeo Members have?
    The Bobcats do more than just go to college rodeos. They have fundraisers, make public apperances, and do volunteer work in the Gallatin Valley. The Fall BBQ & Labor Auction, Cowboys & Candlelight, and the Ag Day Football Game are a few of the activities required of rodeo team members.

  11. How many people are on the MSU Rodeo Team?
    12. For the 2007-2008 school year we have 28 men and 21 women.

  12. When and where does the team practice?
    Timed Event Practice is held Monday through Thrusday from 2:30- 6:30 pm at the Circle L Arena on Spain Bridge Rd just outside of Belgrade. The facility has a heated indoor arena and a large outdoor arena. Practice stock is plentiful and kept right there at the Circle L Arena. Rough Stock Practice is held Monday and Wednesday nights from 5:00-8:30 at MSU's Miller Pavillion which is a heated indoor facility on the MSU college farm. View photos of practice facilities

  13. How far do we travel, how long are we gone, and how much does it cost?
    14. The MSU Rodeo team travesl to 8 different locations for 10 rodeos. The towns are listed below with the number of miles from Bozeman, MT.

    Cody, WY- 215 mi
    Havre, MT- 315 mi
    Miles City, MT- 286 mi
    Dillon, MT- 114 mi
    Bozeman, MT- 0 mi
    Helena, MT- 98 mi
    Glendive, MT- 360 mi
    Missoula, MT- 204 mi

    Two of these locations will host a "double rodeo" where you have two seperate rodeos in one weekend. Individuals will be gone anywhere from 1-4 days for the rodeo weekend depending on the distance traveled, what performance you and your travel partners draw up in, whether or not you and your travel partners make the short go, and whether or not it is a single or double rodeo.