Nygaards Selected Grand Marshals For Stampede

Nygaards

Roger and Ruby Nygaard will serve as the grand marshals at this summer’s Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede. (Photo submitted)

The grand marshals for the 2025 Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede are a couple who have spent most of their lives around rodeos.

Roger and Ruby Nygaard have been selected for the honor. The Wild Horse Stampede is scheduled for July 10-12.

Ruby shares that Roger’s uncle was the famed Marvin Brookman, who is a member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Stampede stadium is named after him. “We’ve been going to rodeos since we were babies,” Ruby said.

Roger grew up on a ranch about seven miles west of Wolf Point. Ruby was raised about 20 miles north of Wolf Point, They met through a cousin when they were attending high school in Wolf Point.

They were each members of a roping club. At one rodeo, Roger was asked to serve as a pickup man. That opportunity turned into him serving in that role for rodeos in the area including Poplar and Culbertson.

Roger enjoyed success in many Wolf Point Wild Horse races during the 1980s and 1990s. “We have several trophies and he won about three belt buckles,” Ruby said.

He even attracted national attention in the late 1990s when National Geographic magazine covered Montana’s rodeos including the 75th Stampede. Pictured was Roger getting medical attention after a horse kicked him in the head during a wild horse race. His team, where Roger served as the anchor, won the buckle that night. He was later interviewed by the magazine for the story.

“I guess he’s a celebrity,” Ruby teases.

Ruby, meanwhile, served as a timer for Brookman Rodeo for many years. A highlight was timing at the circuit finals in Great Falls from 2008-2017.

Locally, they served on the Stampede committee for about 10 years. Roger helped out in many different areas. Ruby’s organized the three days of parade and the flag bearers for the Stampede.

They still enjoy attending the Stampede and re-connecting with many of their rodeo family members.

“Through rodeo, we met a lot of nice people. Everybody is like family,” Ruby said.

They have two granddaughters in Miles City who compete in barrel racing at the high school level. A grandson used to rides bulls until too many injuries were suffered.

Favorite events include saddle bronc riding.

“Roger likes the wild horse racing,” Ruby added. “He always gives them tips.”

She said that Roger still threatens to enter one more wild horse race. “He even said that he would get in the 100th, I said ‘no, you aren’t.’” The couple is hopeful that some family members will come celebrate the Stampede this summer, and they appreciate being selected the grand marshals.

“It’s a very big honor,” Ruby said.