The stage is set for a pre-National Finals Rodeo and 2023 kickoff rodeo season opener. If you’re into witnessing the greatest bucking horses alive, matched with the top bronc riding icons in the country, the Brad Gjermundson Extreme Bronc Riding is where you’ll need to venture October 7-9 at Four Bears Casino and Lodge Events Center in New Town.

“Of all the bronc riding matches across the country, this one is the exception. Not only does the event feature the top bronc riders in the world, but the best end of the regions bucking horses and a semi-load of Calgary Stampede’s bucking stock,” assured Ryan Hanna, pickup man by way of Berthold.

The ‘classic’ event of rodeo: saddle bronc riding – requires style, grace, and strength combined with precise timing and synchronization of man and animal. The cowboy’s objective is a fluid ride, somewhat of a contrast to bull riding and bareback riding which appear, wilder. The harmonized bucks matched with the cowboys’ spur strokes take on its own art, creating an eight-second masterpiece.

History is in the making, featuring this North Dakota event destination. The arena and lineup are no place for a weakling.

“All the bucking horses that are coming are screened between us and elite riders. We have stock contractors bringing their ‘top end’ to compete with the best cowboys in the world,” stated Brad Gjermundson, 4-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, Pro Rodeo, and ND Cowboy Hall of Famer from Richardton.

The evolution of the event began years ago with the idea being tossed around between Rick Thompson, ND Cowboy Hall of Fame (NDCHF) President, and Gjermundson. The concept of having a ‘stand-alone’ bronc riding event in the fall for North Dakotans to watch during a time of year that permitted it for spectators and riders.

“We had to come up with the proper fit of a venue, huge added money, and the right time of year. Somehow it came together in 2019. With Four Bears, the MHA Nation, and in conjunction with the NDCHF, thirty sponsors, we have an $80,000 pot for riders to compete at, elite-caliber bucking stock and still room to grow,” said Thompson.

“The atmosphere at Four Bears is just perfect. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. It’s about the equivalent of the size of a basketball court, so the crowd is part of the action, front row or anywhere in the arena. As far as being a pickup man, we are never more than twenty feet away from the greatest bucking horses thriving,” described Hanna.

“Not everyone in North Dakota can get to the NFR in Las Vegas. We are bringing Vegas here,” stated Gjermundson.

The premier event consists of a long go of the ‘current day term’ – super hoppers – the best scoring horses and a second go of eliminator broncs – the ones that just want to buck a person off. The who’s who of bronc riding, featuring household names such as the Wright brothers, Zeke Thurston, and Shorty Garrett, all complete with a Calcutta both Friday and Saturday at 4:00 pm finishing off with the top 12 contenders going to a short-go Saturday evening.

Hanna will be taking a team of four horses to use for the occasion. He will be joined by a select few other pickup men including Gary Rempel, who hosts the ‘most ever’ National Finals Rodeo attendances and pickup man at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Tyler Kraft, ranch manger for the Calgary Stampede will join the crew as well, keeping cowboys safe and sound and the show rolling by getting the broncs in and out of the arena and the riders off their backs to the pay window.

Another aspect of pick men and their job that many don’t notice, as the bronc ride takes the eye, is that the pickup keeps the broncs turning back and circling, demonstrating the showmanship needed to entertain the fans.

Ryan Hanna and Vern picking up at the Badlands Circuit Finals [Photo: submitted]

Hanna is a twelve-year veteran pick up man to the Pro Rodeo ranks. However, his career started at a very young age growing up in the 1980s and ‘90s and traveling with his family and their stock contracting company Figure 4 Rodeo across the state of North Dakota. Hanna traveled the country in the PRCA as a steer wrestler, finding his way back to his roots where he is in the arena with bucking horses, bronc riders, and wild crowds.

Vern, Hanna’s infamous blue roan draft horse, is his number one assistant. Without a good pickup horse, all cowboys in the arena would be at a loss.

Hanna described Vern as consistent, strong, and big but doesn’t waste any steps. “He is faster than anyone would give him credit, but he is my go-to because he never screws up – the biggest quality I can look for in a pickup horse,” added Hanna. “Vern was an ‘accident’ that came out of a Percheron mare crossed on a Dash for Cash son. He was heading for the kill truck and was given to me. He didn’t take long to train and showed promise early on in his training career,” the cowboy explained.

“We didn’t know where this would go,” said Gjermundson, “With our little group of five, organizing and producing, we only hope to be able to make it a tradition and be as successful as a fore runner to this, Home On The Range Champions Ride.”

Hanna added that while growing up in North Dakota and with Figure 4 Rodeo company, the rough stock numbers were larger, but in the Dakota region, something exceptional is happening.

“North Dakota is doing a great job of sponsoring and helping put on events such as this and rodeo across the state. North Dakota puts on as good of rodeos as anywhere in the country. We have been everywhere rodeoing can take us, and nothing can beat what the state has going for the rodeo industry,” respectfully stated the cowboy.

In the future, the event organizers are working on collaborating with the MHA Nation to produce some rodeo schools for the segments across the state. Gjermundson has done bronc riding schools across the country and for this go-round – he is looking at organizing and bringing in key players of the sport he adores.

Ultimately, the world needs more bronc riding mentality. “We need more education and awareness on the mental aspect and positivity that bronc riding comes with it. The skills and mindset that anyone, not just youth learning how to ride broncs, can get from listening or taking part in a bronc riding school and its instructors,” said Gjermundson.

“Riding through the storms that even life gives us, you just can’t quit. Having a foundation and learning to be prepared and being able to step up when you get an opportunity is what we’d like to encourage people from all walks of life. Sometimes trying your hardest is all you can do, but when you get that break or that opening, be ready for it,” was the world champion’s affirmative message.

Both Gjermundson and Thompson said this significant showcase couldn’t be possible to pull off without their ‘go-to’ associate Tess Howie and the thirty sponsors, which includes Hams Oildfield Services, Dakota Community Bank, Charging Eagle Enterprises, Tee Bench, Four Bears, and the MHA Nation, all supporting the appetite for the western culture and life to flourish on throughout North Dakota.

Tickets are available in advance at fourbearscasino.com, at the door, or at Four Bears Casino and Lodge.

Brad Gjermundson [Photo: Hubbel Photo]

Brad Gjermundson was born March 25, 1959, in Richardton to Stanley and Sharon Gjermundson. The four-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Brad Gjermundson’s achievements, accomplishments, criteria and biographical information are well known.

After joining the PRCA in 1980, he promptly earned the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award. Gjermundson qualified for his first National Finals in 1981 and repeated this feat consecutively through 1988. Gjermundson qualified again in 1994 where he entered in 13th place and earned $81,000 in 10 days, more than any other contestant that year.

Gjermundson began his rodeo career by winning the N.D. High School Rodeo Association saddle bronc championship in 1976 and 1977 and all-around champion in 1977. He was the NDHSRA team roping champion in 1975 and competed in the National High School Rodeo Association Finals in 1975 and 1977.

He continued to compete on the Dickinson State College rodeo team from 1977-1980, winning the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Great Plains Region in 1978-1980 and 5th in the nation in 1978, 2nd in 1979, and the championship in 1980. He was named the NDRA “Rookie of the Year” in 1978, winning the NDRA saddle bronc championship in 1979.

Gjermundson competed and brought home prizes from all over the U.S., including Houston, Texas; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Pendleton, Oregon and many more. He earned the Badlands Circuit Finals saddle bronc championship six times between 1983 and 1995.

Gjermundson was invited to the Home On The Range Champions Ride 21 times from 1978-1998. He received the 35th Annual Champion’s Ride Walt Neuens Memorial buckle in 1991 and since 2002 has served on HOTR Rodeo Committee.

He was inducted into the N.D. Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1995. He received the DSU Young Hawk Award in 1997 and was named to the DSU Alumni Fellow Program in 2008.

Gjermundson married Jackie Brown in June 1984, and the couple ranches near Marshall and has three children.