Polson NRA bull riding champ qualifies for unique upcoming event
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POLSON – Payton Fitzpatrick was named to the four-man squad representing Montana in the Battle of the States bull riding event. The competition will be held at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center in Reno, Nevada, on Nov. 10.
According to the Rodeo USA website, “the Battle of the States is a unique event unlike any other bull riding or rodeo event.” Bull riders compete as a team to win instead of individually. The riders’ scores are added up together. The top four states come back for a fourth time to see which state will “control all the bragging rights” as the top state.
Fitzpatrick hails from Polson and heads into the Battle of the States challenge as the reigning 2018 Northern Rodeo Association finals bull riding champion, which he won back on Oct. 6 in Butte.
Fitzpatrick grew up watching his father ride bulls so taking up the sport himself was only natural.
“Winning the NRA meant quite a bit to me,” said Fitzpatrick. “I grew up watching tapes of my dad riding at pro rodeos, NRA rodeos and the NRA finals.”
He said his father came close to winning an NRA title. “One year, he came within $118 of winning the title. I sort of won it for him this year. Last year, I was runner-up and that was kind of a heartbreaker because I really wanted to win that saddle for my dad. This year, I got it done. It was the best feeling in the world.”
Leading up to the championship, Fitzpatrick has had quite the season, finishing in six top-two finishes, including victories at Choteau, Shelby, Scobey and Twin Bridges. After the Battle of the States, Fitzpatrick’s next step is to begin bull riding in the Montana Pro Circuit Finals in January.
