With a much-needed gap between competitions, MSU-Northern rodeo has been taking its time to get back into performance fitness. New Media Broadcasters spoke with head coach Doug Kallenberger and he shared the positive mindset that his rodeo Lights and Skylights have as they head into the next events.
“That week off helped us with a few horses that were a little sore,” Kallenberger said. “We had a couple of kids that were battling some injuries, so that week off came at a great time.”
“We look like we had a good healing process,” Kallenberger continued. “We’re ready to hit the road and go to Dillon (to) finish the fall season strong.”
The Dawson Community College rodeo was historic for Kallenberger’s clubs, which returned half their teams to the short go two Saturdays ago. Despite the expectation level being raised, Kallenberger still wants his cowboys and cowgirls to go about business in the same way.
“I always tell the kids we delete what happened the week before,” Kallenberger said. “We prepare just like it’s out first one again.”
“We’ve been preparing for each rodeo the same way where we’re going to continue that mentality of ground zero again,” Kallenberger continued. “We’re starting from scratch. New week, new rodeo.”
“We’ve been sticking with that approach and we’re going to stick with that again,” Kallenberger said. “I feel like it’s done us well. We’re going to keep that philosophy going.”
The Montana Western rodeo will take place on Friday night and Saturday night with the Skylights looking to improve their second-place standing and the Lights trying to move up from third place in the Big Sky region.
