Haven Meged Sweeps Montana Circuit Finals
Haven Meged clinched his fourth Montana Circuit title and second average title at the Montana Circuit Finals held in Great Falls, Montana, January 9-11, 2025.
Haven Meged and Lil Punch at the Montana Circuit Finals. | Clay Guardipee photo

Haven Meged, a Miles City, Montana, native, captured his fourth Montana Circuit title and second average title at the Montana Circuit Finals, held January 9-11, 2025, in Great Falls, Montana.

Meged placed in the first two rounds and won the third round, claiming the average with a total time of 26.9 seconds on three head and earning $11,000.

“It feels great to go back up to Montana where I grew up, see friends, and compete against them,” Meged said. “It feels good to get a good start to the year and another NFR Open qualification.”

The 2024 Pro Rodeo season ended on a high note for Meged, who finished third in the world standings and placed third in the average at the National Finals Rodeo.

“I didn’t practice quite as hard as usual after the NFR,” Meged said. “We’ve been working a lot of futurity horses. We gave them about a month and a half off while we prepared for the NFR, so we had to catch them up for the futurity season when we got home. It’s been nonstop trying to work those horses and stay prepared for the winter run of rodeos that’s about to hit us.”

Meged and his wife, Shelby, will kick off the futurity season in Buckeye, Arizona, at the Royal Crown on February 10, 2025. The couple also plans to compete at the Roping Futurities of America in March.

“We have a really good group of four-year-olds this year,” Meged said. “We’ve got eight head of horses, and we’ll probably haul five of them. I feel like they’re pretty dang strong and good. We’ve got a couple of good five and six-year-olds, too.”

Circuit Finals Game Plan

Heading into the Montana Circuit Finals, Meged had only a week to prepare and ensure his horse, For Goodness Shakes, aka “Lil Punch,” was ready.

“I didn’t get to practice as much as I would’ve liked,” Meged said. “My horse was a little sore after the NFR, so I gave him about two weeks off. When I got back on him, I only had a week to exercise him. I breakawayed about four calves on him and sent him to the circuit finals. He knows his job, but I didn’t have him as prepared as I would’ve liked. I knew going into the finals that I had to get it around the neck, not break the barrier, and tie every calf down.”

For Goodness Shakes aka Lil Punch

Meged knew going into the finals that he needed to capitalize on every opportunity, in each round.

“My first calf was just a good, solid calf,” he said. “I knew he was trying to pop his leg, so I took a safe start, caught him, and he popped his leg. I ended up winning second in the first round. On my second calf, my horse stuck back when the gates opened, I was late, and I lost my right stirrup, so it just didn’t go as good. I was long, but I ended up placing in the round. My third calf was another good, solid calf. I knew I had to hit the barrier on her. She was a little stronger, but she was really good on the ground.”

Rodeo Plans for 2025

By winning both the year-end and average titles, Meged secured another NFR Open qualification—an event he’s excited to compete at again.

“It’s always exciting to go back to the NFR Open,” Meged said. “Winning the circuit finals was a big start to the year. The NFR Open has a big payday, so it’s nice knowing I get to look forward to that.”

While Meged has focused more on futurity horses in the past, his 2025 plans include prioritizing winter rodeos.

“I’m just going to stick to it this year,” Meged said. “Hopefully, I’ll have a little more success in the winter—that’s the plan anyway. I’m always trying to work too many futurity horses in the wintertime, so this year, I’m going to try and stay practiced up enough for the winter rodeos.”

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