Bonus Gather

A paid subscriber asked about rodeos coming up on some specific weekends and I thought, why not throw together the rest of the summer from now until Labor Day!

Growing up, the Fourth of July rodeo was one of the highlights of my summer. Give me a grandstand seat, a hot dog, the smell of dirt and horses, some team roping and I’m a happy camper. But for some, this could quite literally be… your first rodeo!

If you’re new to the scene, don’t worry! You won’t be the only one wondering what “team roping” is or why everyone suddenly starts cheering when the pickup men come flying into the arena. Or maybe you’ve seen events advertised as a rodeo, ranch rodeo, or PBR and thought... aren’t they all basically the same thing? Nope. You’re gonna learn today!

Since there are quite a few rodeo events happening around the area over the next couple of months, I figured I’d put together a quick cheat sheet with a breakdown of the different types of rodeos you’ll see while browsing, and some pro tips to make your first (or fiftieth) rodeo a little smoother.

Here are some super secret tips from someone who’s spent plenty of evenings in the grandstands, bleachers and standing room only areas. Bring sunscreen and hats for the daytime performances, but also throw a sweatshirt and rain jacket in the car because Montana loves to remind us who’s really boss. Rodeos happen rain or shine, so check the forecast and dress for dust... or mud. Bleachers get hard after a couple hours (my younger self didn’t care, my adult self absolutely does), so a blanket or stadium cushion isn’t a bad idea. Skip the white clothes unless you’re trying to naturally dye them…brown, bring cash for concessions as many places don’t accept card, and if you know you want to go, buy tickets early. Good seats (and some rodeos altogether) can sell out faster than an eight second bull ride.

Now let’s talk Rodeo 101. Never been? No worries. Here’s a quick cheat sheet so you know what you’re looking at before you grab some tickets…

Traditional Rodeo

This is what most people picture when they think “rodeo” and it’s the most common type. You’ll typically see a full lineup of events like barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and team roping. Most rodeos also include grand entries, specialty acts, and plenty of entertainment between events.

Ranch Rodeo

Think of this as cowboys and cowgirls showing off the skills they actually use while working on a ranch. Instead of individual competitors, teams from local ranches compete in events that mimic real ranch work. Depending on the rodeo, you might see wild cow milking, stray gathering, trailer loading, team sorting, doctoring, branding, or other ranch-related challenges. It’s usually a little less polished, a little more unpredictable, and a whole lot of fun.

PBR (Professional Bull Riders)

If bull riding is your favorite event, this one’s for you. PBR events are all bull riding, all night. Riders compete to stay on a bucking bull for eight seconds, with no barrel racing, roping, or bronc riding mixed in. Many PBR events also include fan activities and sometimes mutton bustin’ for the kids.

No matter which type you choose, you’re sure to have a good time and participate in a Montana summertime tradition. The full list is just a $5/month paid subscription away, plus you’ll get more random seasonal guides like this and the weekly lowdown on what’s going on in the valley in beyond!