Triplett headed for national finals

It's not the bull you draw at the National High School Rodeo Association Finals, it's how you ride him.

Matt Triplett, who will be a senior at Columbia Falls High School next month, has his sights set on success at the national high school finals in Farmington, N.M. He won his second straight bull riding state championship last month. Triplett was awestruck at nationals last year at the same site, but he said Tuesday he'll have his head on straight for his return.

There were 209 high school bull riders at nationals last year, and the number should be very similar when Triplett is up for his first draw during the 7 p.m. performance Sunday. He'll have five days off before he rides again, during the 9 a.m. perf Saturday, July 25.

"I like the way I'm up," Triplett said of riding a bull in the opening performance. "I'm the last one to go on Saturday (the 25th)." That's the last perf before Sunday evening's short round.

Triplett bucked off on both his draws at nationals last year.

"Pretty much the big lights got to me," he admitted.

The arena is smack dab in the middle of a race track with a casino looking down on it, according to Triplett.

He said the bulls will all be good ones at nationals, so the draw is of no concern.

"It can be a thousand-pound bull up to a 2,000-pound bull. Most of them are old, retired bulls," Triplett said, but they'll all be a challenge. "Everything will turn back. You know it's going to be good.

"To keep my mind set is the main thing. I'll go at it like it's another rodeo," he said.

He also can't let the heat and humidity in Farmington get to him, either. It's a key to stay hydrated and keep a cool, clear head.

Triplett has been practicing by riding once a week at the Triplett place outside Columbia Falls. His dad, Pat, has 10 bulls in the pen.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, Triplett was third in average at a rodeo in Lincoln. He rode once, scoring a 78. He bucked off July 9 at a Browning rodeo. His bull turned back into his hand and got Triplett behind — coming out of his spin when he saw the bullfighter.

"Bullfighters are really key in bull riding. They can save your life," Triplett said.

Joining Triplett from Montana are Tyler Owens, J.D. Harrell and Maverick Bushnell, who finished 2-3-4, respectively, at the state finals.

Triplett said it might only take one qualified ride to make the short round. But he fully intends to ride both his draws to make the final cut.