Montana competitors chase gold at 2024 National Finals Rodeo

LAS VEGAS – The 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo begins Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center, and several Montanans and those with ties to the Treasure State are ready to chase world titles.

Among them are some usual suspects.

Haven Meged of Miles City, ranked No. 2 in the tie-down rope, is looking for his second world title. Meged won the average championship last year and set an NFR record with a 10-day average of 7.74 seconds.

He also set an NFR mark with a time of 6.4 seconds in the seventh lap. Meged won the world title in 2019.

Lisa Lockhart, a Circle native, is also back for her 18th NFR career. Lockhart won the average barrel racing title last year after completing a winning run of 13.54 seconds on her horse Levee in Round 10.

Lockhart, from Oelrichs, SD, is ranked No. 6 in the world. At the NFR last December, her average was 13.71.

Melstone’s Sage Newman returns this year at No. 8 in saddle bronc riding, while Columbus’ Weston Timberman (No. 7) and Stevensville’s Richmond Champion (No. 15) will compete in bareback riding.

Another NFR star is Ty Erickson of Helena, who is ranked 10th in steer wrestling this year. Erickson is the 2019 world champion.

Others with Montana ties include steer wrestler Jesse Brown of Baker City, Oregon (No. 6) and bull rider Chase Dougherty of Canby, Oregon (No. 8). Both are former Montana State University Cowboys. Dougherty won the bull riding average title in 2018.

Meanwhile, Miles City’s Shelby Boisjoli-Meged (Haven Meged’s wife), ranked No. 1, is back to defend her breakway roping title from last year’s NFR.

The 2024 National Finals Rodeo will consist of 10 performances beginning Thursday and continuing through Dec. 14 at the Thomas & Mack Center.