Montana has a rich history in the sporty of Rodeo.  The National Wrangler Pro Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas has numerous athletes from Montana each and every year. How do we stack up over all?

Information was gathered through Wikipedia.

Here is a list of National Wrangler Pro Rodeo Finals winners from Montana:

All Around Cowboy

• 1950 Bill Linderman, Red Lodge, Montana
• 1953 Bill Linderman, Red Lodge, Montana
• 1961 Benny Reynolds, Melrose, Montana
• 1997 Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Montana

Bareback Riding Champions

• 1943 Bud Linderman, Red Lodge, Montana
• 1945 Bud Linderman, Red Lodge, Montana
• 1984 Larry Peabody, Three Forks, Montana
• 1993 Deb Greenough, Red Lodge, Montana

Steer Wrestling Champions

• 1936 Jack Kerschner, Miles City, Montana
• 1950 Bill Linderman, Red Lodge, Montana
• 1997 Brad Gleason Ennis, MT
• 2019 Ty Erickson, Helena, Montana

Team Roping Champions

• 2005 Clay Tryan (header), Billings, Montana
• 2013 Clay Tryan (header), Billings, Montana
• 2014 Clay Tryan (header), Billings, Montana

Saddle Bronc Riding Champions

• 1945 Bill Linderman, Red Lodge, Montana
• 1950 Bill Linderman, Red Lodge, Montana
• 1965 Shawn Davis, Whitehall, Montana
• 1967 Shawn Davis, Whitehall, Montana
• 1968 Shawn Davis, Whitehall, Montana
• 1977 J.C. Bonine, Hysham, Montana
• 1993 Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Montana
• 1994 Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Montana
• 1995 Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Montana
• 1997 Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Montana
• 1998 Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Montana
• 2003 Dan Mortensen, Billings, Montana
• 2009 Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Montana

Tie-Down Roping Champions

• 2019 Haven Meged, Miles City, Montana

Steer Roping Champions

• No winners from Montana

Bull Riding Champions

• 1961 Ronnie Rossen, Broadus, Montana
• 1966 Ronnie Rossen, Broadus, Montana

WPRA/NFR Barrel Racing Champions

• No winners from Montana

Breakaway Roping Champions (event has been at the WPRF since 2020)

• No winners from Montana

What states have produced the most Champions

1. Texas 579
2. Oklahoma 264
3. California 177
4. South Dakota 99
5. Arizona 93
6. Canada 91
7. Utah 88
8. New Mexico 86
9. Wyoming 77
10. Montana 74
11. Kansas 72
12. Oregon 66
13. Colorado 57
14. Idaho 46
15. Nebraska 40
16. Louisiana 26
17. Nevada 26
18. Washington (State) 25
19. Iowa 23
20. North Dakota 17
21. Florida 16
22. Georgia 14
23. Mississippi 9
24. Missouri 7
25. Tennessee 6
26. Brazil 4

What individuals have the most championship belt buckles

Trevor Brazile (Texas) has 44 champion buckles

• 18- WPRF Average
• 14- All Around
• 8- Steer Roping
• 3- Tie Down
• 1- Team Roping

Ty Murray (Texas) has 17 champion buckles

• 8- WPRF Average
• 7- All Around
• 2- Bull Riding

Tom Ferguson (Oklahoma) has 17 champion buckles

• 9- WPRF Average
• 6- All Around
• 2- Steer Wrestling
• 1- Tie Down

Roy Cooper (Oklahoma) has 17 champion buckles

• 9- WPRF Average
• 1- All Around
• 6- Tie Down
• 1- Steer Wrestling

Joe Beaver (Texas) 15 champion buckles

• 3- WPRF Average
• 7- All Around
• 5- Tie Down

Larry Mahan (Texas) has 14 champion buckles

• 6- WPRF Average
• 6- All Around
• 2- Bull Riding

Fred Whitfield (Texas) has 12 champion buckles

• 4- WPRF Average
• 1- All Around
• 7- Tie Down

Stetson Wright (Utah) has 12 champion buckles

• 5- WPRF Average
• 4- All Around
• 2- Bull Riding
• 1- Saddle Bronc

The ladies have been an important part of Rodeo for years. The Barrel Racing at the National Finals dates back to 1948

Charmayne James (Texas) has 11 champion buckles

• 11- WPRA/NFR Barrel Racing Champions

Jim Shoulders (Oklahoma) has 11 champion buckles

• 2- WPRF Average
• 5- All Around
• 4- Bareback

Don Gay (Texas) has 9 champion buckles

• 1- WPRF Average
• 8- Bull Riding

Bill Linderman (Montana) has 8 champion buckles

• 1- WPRF Average
• 2- All Around
• 2- Bareback
• 2- Saddle Bronc
• 1- Steer Wrestling

Dan Mortensen (Montana) has 8 champion buckles

• 1- WPRF Average
• 1- All Around
• 6- Saddle Bronc

Sherry Cervi (Arizona) has 7 champion buckles

• 3- Average
• 4- WPRA/NFR Barrel Racing Champions

Of course there are many more multi buckle champions in the history of the NFR.  Who do you think should be on this list?

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