That's ordinarily a good thing for the 15-year rodeo veteran and former Drummond multi-sport star. But on Friday his memory of “Country” backfired in the first performance of the Missoula Stampede at the Western Montana Fair.
“It's usually a big advantage - real crucial when you're getting on a horse on how much rein you give them,” Martin said. “When I got on (Country) this last winter he busted his head way down and today he didn't.
His score of 74 was good enough for a lead in the saddle bronc competition after the first of two days of Stampede action. His chances of keeping the lead after Saturday's 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances don't look good, but stranger things have happened.
Win or lose, Martin will continue to be an inspiration to diabetes patients in Montana and beyond. The Dillon resident is afflicted with Type 2 diabetes and wears an insulin pump when he is not riding.
Martin, in turn, draws inspiration from multiple sources. The list Friday included his friends from Missoula who came out to watch, and the football team from his nearby high school alma mater, which earned a state championship last fall.
“That (Trojans) team has been pretty spectacular the past five or six years, and I've been able to go to a few of the games,” he said. “This past fall I got to watch them stomp Sheridan in the state championship because it's just 30 miles from where I live. I'm still good friends with people from Drummond.”
Another saddle bronc rider from Dillon, Brian Dawson, sits in third with 59 points. Dawson is a veteran who has served in the Middle East.
In barrel racing, longtime Missoula favorite Shelly Anzick of Livingston turned in a second-place time of 17.65. Lindsay Knaff of Winston sits in first at 17.14.
Anzick, who took top honors in the event in 2005 and 2006, is back on her favorite horse, Buster. The 12-year-old bay gelding was sidelined in 2007 with a hole in his deep flexor tendon of the lower ankle.
“We're on the comeback trail now,” said Anzick, who reached nationals with Buster in 2006. “We're just going to the circuit rodeos close to home. I wasn't happy with my run today, but overall he's been doing good.”
Part of the fun for the 46-year-old is touring with her daughter, Kahley. The 19-year-old competed Friday but failed to break the top eight.
“I enjoy it, but it's terrifying watching her,” Shelly Anzick said. “It's hard because I want her to do good.”
Kahley Anzick enjoys the travelling and spending quality time with her mother.
“She helps me every day,” Kahley said. “She's real aggressive and very positive.
“I just stick with it and try to ride more aggressive and me and my horse (Soda) are learning together.”
Notes: Travis Tryan and Michael Jones are in second place in team roping after a time of 4.6 Friday afternoon. Turtle Powell and Travis Graves topped that mark with a 4.4 Friday night ... Highlighting Saturday's matinee performance is defending National Finals Rodeo steer wrestling world champion Jason Miller of Lance Creek, Wyo. ... On Saturday night, two-time world champion barrel racer Sherry Cervi, of Marana, Ariz., will compete ... Tickets are $13 for the matinee session and $16 for the night session.
Missoula Stampede
Event leaders after Friday
Barrel racing - Lindsay Knaff 17.14; Shelly Anzick, 17.65; Julie Lenoir, 17.91; Mandy Bishop 17.92; Deanna Levine, 17.93.
Bareback riding - Cody DeMers, 83; Chase Erickson, 83; Mac Erickson, 79; Tyson Thompson, 77.
Steer wrestling - Ken Hollad, 4.1; Ted Gollaher, 4.3; Klate Greany, 4.3; Josh Granell 4.6; Jim Garrison, 4.8
Team roping - Turtle Powell/Travis Graves, 4.4; Travis Tryan/Michael Jones, 4.6; Nick Sartain/Rhen Richard, 4.7; Brandon Beers/Mike Beers, 4.8; Edward Hawley Jr./Marcus Wilcox, 5.2.
Saddle bronc riding - Jess Martin, 74; Ace Mills, 64; Brian Dawson, 59; Kalyn Jacob Beasley, 58.
Tie-down roping - Chad Johnson, 10.2; Eddy Getten, 10.3; Dustin Bird, 11.1; Tim Bagnell, 12.1; Sam Levine, 12.8.
Bull riding - Brian Curtis, 79 (no other riders scored).
Sports writer Bill Speltz may be reached at 523-5255 or bill.speltz@lee.net.
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