World Famous Bucking Horse Sale
The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale has earned a reputation for commemorating the saddle bronc challenge like no other, earning it the moniker of the Cowboy Mardi Gras. It stands as the biggest event of the year in eastern Montana, drawing cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation to partake in an authentic Western celebration.
During this event, newcomers are encouraged to embrace the local culture by dressing the part and indulging in the festivities. With the population of Miles City swelling to more than double its usual size of 8,500, millions of dollars flow into the community and beyond over the course of the four-day extravaganza.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the sale, which unfortunately had to be canceled last year due to the pandemic. However, organizers promise a triumphant comeback, poised to make this year's event the best ever.
In its humble beginnings in 1950, the sale was merely a creative endeavor by Les Boe, owner of the local livestock yards, to sell off 30 bucking horses he had acquired through a trade. Les's idea was to showcase the horses by letting them buck, inviting cowboys to test their skills at riding broncs while potential buyers, ranchers, and rodeo enthusiasts looked on. The event proved to be a hit, becoming an annual tradition that continued to grow in popularity over the years.
As the decades passed, the event evolved, with the stock yards in Miles City serving as the venue for hundreds of horses being sold each day by the late 1950s and early '60s. The sale became not just a showcase for bucking horses, but a celebration of Western culture, featuring a myriad of events and activities over the entire weekend.
Rob Fraser, past owner of the Miles City Livestock Commission and auctioneer for the event for 25 years, reflects on the transformation of the sale, noting that it has become more than just a horse auction—it's a celebration of Western heritage. With countless activities happening throughout the four days, attendees are guaranteed to walk away with unforgettable stories and memories.
And indeed, tales abound of cowboys riding their horses into bars in exchange for free drinks—an event that may have persisted if not for the considerable cleanup required afterwards!
The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale has earned a reputation for commemorating the saddle bronc challenge like no other, earning it the moniker of the Cowboy Mardi Gras. It stands as the biggest event of the year in eastern Montana, drawing cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation to partake in an authentic Western celebration.
During this event, newcomers are encouraged to embrace the local culture by dressing the part and indulging in the festivities. With the population of Miles City swelling to more than double its usual size of 8,500, millions of dollars flow into the community and beyond over the course of the four-day extravaganza.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the sale, which unfortunately had to be canceled last year due to the pandemic. However, organizers promise a triumphant comeback, poised to make this year's event the best ever.
In its humble beginnings in 1950, the sale was merely a creative endeavor by Les Boe, owner of the local livestock yards, to sell off 30 bucking horses he had acquired through a trade. Les's idea was to showcase the horses by letting them buck, inviting cowboys to test their skills at riding broncs while potential buyers, ranchers, and rodeo enthusiasts looked on. The event proved to be a hit, becoming an annual tradition that continued to grow in popularity over the years.
As the decades passed, the event evolved, with the stock yards in Miles City serving as the venue for hundreds of horses being sold each day by the late 1950s and early '60s. The sale became not just a showcase for bucking horses, but a celebration of Western culture, featuring a myriad of events and activities over the entire weekend.
Rob Fraser, past owner of the Miles City Livestock Commission and auctioneer for the event for 25 years, reflects on the transformation of the sale, noting that it has become more than just a horse auction—it's a celebration of Western heritage. With countless activities happening throughout the four days, attendees are guaranteed to walk away with unforgettable stories and memories.
And indeed, tales abound of cowboys riding their horses into bars in exchange for free drinks—an event that may have persisted if not for the considerable cleanup required afterwards!
