Local favorite Bridger Chambers ties Whitehall’s Jake Nelson for first in steer wrestling at Whitehall PRCA Rodeo

Defending Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Montana Circuit Champion Chamber Bridgers and Whitehall cowboy Jake Nelson took home $1476 each for their 4.3-second times recorded in the steer wrestling event at the Whitehall PRCA rodeo that took place alongside the town’s Frontier Days festival July 25 and 26. 

Chambers, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo and finished second in the world standings in 2018 and 2019, has stepped back from rodeoing full-time and is focused on the PRCA Montana Circuit so he can focus on his real estate career and raising a family. 

“I guess I'm considered an old guy in the rig now,” said Chambers, speaking about the two younger cowboys that he travels to rodeos with. “I’m just trying to pass it down. You know, rodeo is important to me that way, and I want to try to keep it moving in a positive direction. Sometimes it kind of feels like we're the last of a dying breed. It's important to me that we try to keep those traditions alive and well.”

The PRCA rodeo in Whitehall is only in its second year, but Chambers sees the development of the fairgrounds and the event as positives for the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls. 

“Having the PRCA in Whitehall gives younger guys a place to be able to see some bigger names that are traveling through because it’s in such a great location. You know, you're real close to I-15, going north and south, and then right off of I-90. There are lots of big rodeos going on this weekend, but you're still going to get guys that make stops at these smaller rodeos,” he continued. 

He pointed out that Ty Erickson, a steer wrestler who is from Helena and has qualified for nine National Finals Rodeos and won the world championship in 2019, competed in the slack portion of the event because it fit in his schedule and allowed him to get another chance to score money close to home. 

“It’s good for the younger guys to have the opportunity to see someone like Ty (Erickson) come through,” said Chambers. 

He sees the entire rodeo grounds project, which includes the new arena and future improvements to the grandstand, as a positive for pro rodeo. 

“The Rodeo committee has done a good job at trying to improve the venue for the generations to come,” said Chambers. “They want to add more, more seating for people to come watch it and stuff like that. So that's exciting to know that in a small town like Whitehall, they're busting their butts to continue to make the event and facilities better for everybody.”

Chambers and the rest of the cowboys and cowgirls aren’t the only ones who are taking note of the new venue. According to Whitehall Rodeo Committee member Gina Osello, the fans are showing up in record numbers as well. 

“Our pro rodeo was a huge success,” said Osello. “We had record-breaking gate numbers and lots of compliments from the spectators and contestants; it was our best rodeo weekend yet.”

The Whitehall location and the combination of the community Frontier Days festivities with the evening rodeo contributed to the success. Osello also feels the recent upgrades to the arena played a part as well. 

“The new arena was a standout, with tons of positive feedback on the setup and atmosphere,” continued Osello. “This arena and the rodeo events were built for the people, by the people, and the community support made it all possible.”

While Osello gives the praise for the event's success to the new facility, Chambers sees additional efforts that need to be recognized. 

“I’d like to thank Gina (Osello) and Tim (O’Donnell), they've worked their butts off, and there are a lot of other people that are at the forefront that are a big deal in putting that together,” said Chambers. White Hall is a great community that way, as far as local support, and if they can build their community up, it takes those types of people who are willing to sacrifice a lot.”

The full results and more information about the PRCA events in Whitehall can be found at https://prorodeo.com/result/2025/whitehall-prca-rodeo/15948?.