How Darby Developed the Best Bareback Rodeo in Montana

Four years ago, the idea of staging a world-class bareback rodeo event in Darby, Montana seemed crazy.

But what started during the uncertainty in that first year of the pandemic has emerged as the best such event not only in Montana but the entire country. All because of key sponsorships and enthusiasm.

And this weekend is your chance to experience the excitement firsthand.

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Top riders, stock, and big money

Darby Rodeo Association President Cal Ruark says what was originally called the "Yellowstone Riggin' Rally" started when the legendary rodeo star Bobby Steiner called him with the idea of the rodeo in 2020. That led to a mad rush for sponsors and organizational work to pull off the event by Labor Day.

It turned out to be a huge success, drawing not only a big crowd of Northern Rockies rodeo fans but support from "Yellowstone" producer Taylor Sheridan and Bosque Ranch Productions, even bringing out some of the show's cast.

Now, the Yellowstone Darby Extreme Bareback

What is now known as the Yellowstone Darby Xtreme Bareback returns this weekend.

"We get the top cowboys, the top riders, top NFR horses," Ruark explains. "Prize money is the biggest prize money in any bareback riding event in the country."

"We invite the top 20 in the world as of a week and a half ago. They're invited and they will be here Sunday. We have a qualifier on Saturday and we have 48 entries there, of which all those people have to belong to the PRCA. And we'll take the top ten from Saturday, roll them into Sunday, so then we'll have a long go of 30. We'll take the top 10 scores out of that 30 and have a short go. So we'll have 88 outs in two days."

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All that fun isn't cheap

Ruark says the support from all the sponsors has been critical.

"Just for people's knowledge, it costs right at $200,000 to get this event in Darby. It's it's hard to comprehend, but it's the way it is."

"Every time they open a chute gate, it's $600.00." - Cal Ruark, Darby Rodeo Association President

 

That investment leads to a hell of a show

"We get calls from all over the Northwest and we get a lot of people up here from Texas and out of the country that come up to this event because it's one-of-a-kind."

Yet even with "Yellowstone" production coming to an end, Ruark says the connections with the show have been strong, and much appreciated.

"They're really supportive of what we do and it takes people like that to bring an event that size of that to Darby. It really does."

Event tickets are available here.