Montana Bullfighter Harrell Returns To Stampede

Central Montana bullfighter J.D. Harrell will perform at the 2021 Wild Horse Stampede rodeo Thursday through Saturday, July 8-10.

His career as a bullfighter goes back to his time competing in high school rodeo in Roy, north of Lewistown, where he grew up and still lives. Harrell found that bullfighters were needed at high school rodeos. He would compete in the bullriding event, then go on to protect the other contestants as a bullfighter.

He started his PRCA career seven years ago after working for several stock contractors including Brookman Rodeo, Sankey Rodeo and Gunderson. Harrell was selected by the bull riders as one of the bullfighters to protect them at the 2017 Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals. It was Harrell’s first finals.

He said four years ago that he learned to fight bulls by what he called “hard knocks.”

When home in Roy, Harrell is a welder and truck driver. He is the son of Dave and Laurie Harrell and brother of Jordan and Justin.