The Bucking Horse Sale: Miles City’s Cowboy Mardi Gras

They call it the Cowboy Mardi Gras, and once you’ve been, you’ll understand why. What started as a working stock auction has grown into one of the most distinctive events in the American West, with concerts, horse racing, a downtown parade, and some of the best saddle bronc riding on the planet. 

This is what the weekend looks like and how to make the most of it.

Bucking Horse Sale at A Glance: The Miles City Bucking Horse Sale is a four-day Western celebration held the third full weekend of May every year in Miles City, Montana. The event features pari-mutuel horse racing, wild horse races, concerts, a parade, a trade show, and saddle bronc riding.

What Is the Bucking Horse Sale? History & Background

The Bucking Horse Sale got its start in 1951 as a three-day event built around a practical idea: give PRCA stock contractors a place to source and auction the rankest bucking horses in the country. Miles City, sitting along the Yellowstone River in the heart of eastern Montana ranch country, was a natural fit. 

Since its start, the Sale grew into a Montana mainstay. The auction remains a centerpiece, but the history of the Bucking Horse Sale is really the story of a community leaning into its Western identity and building something that draws visitors from across the country.

What to Expect at the Bucking Horse Sale

The Miles City Bucking Horse Sale (MCBHS) schedule runs Thursday through Sunday. The concert kicks things off Thursday night, horse racing and wild horse races run through the weekend, the parade takes over Main Street on Saturday, and the PRCA Xtreme Broncs Match closes it all out on Sunday.

Here’s a look at what you’ll find at a typical MCBHS weekend.

The Kick-Off Concert

Thursday evening marks the official start of the weekend, and the opening concert sets the tone for everything that follows. The Bucking Horse Sale consistently books country headliners with strong regional followings, and the energy carries through the whole weekend. Tickets are available in reserved seating or general admission, and the party pit option puts you up front for the show. 

Specific artists for the current year are announced closer to the event; check the BHS concert page for the latest lineup and ticket options.

Horse Racing & Wild Horse Races

Pari-mutuel horse racing runs throughout the weekend, giving fans a chance to bet on live races at the Miles City track. The Calcutta adds another layer: it’s a pre-competition bidding event where participants purchase horses ahead of the races.

As for the wild horse race, it delivers exactly what the name promises. Three-person teams, including a mugger, a holder, and a rider, work together to saddle and ride a wild horse in the fastest time possible. Sixteen teams compete across Friday and Saturday go-rounds, with the top eight advancing to Sunday’s finals showdown and a shot at the $12,000 championship purse and the coveted Casper Schaffer Championship Buckles.

PRCA Xtreme Broncs Match

The marquee competitive event of the weekend is the PRCA Xtreme Broncs Match, where 32 of the top-ranked saddle bronc riders in the world go head-to-head on some of the rankest bucking stock in the PRCA. If you’ve never watched saddle bronc at this level, the Bucking Horse Sale is a good place to start.

The competition spans two nights. Friday’s Orin Muri Permit Challenge spotlights up-and-coming riders competing for their PRCA cards and a chance to break into the top standings. Sunday is the main event, with the top 32 bronc riders going head-to-head for a share of the $57,000 added purse. 

Trade Show, Parade & More

The Main Street Parade winds through downtown Miles City on Saturday and draws out the whole community. Horses, floats, Western riders, and local organizations fill the streets in one of those parades that actually stop people in their tracks. 

The trade show runs throughout the weekend alongside it, with BHS vendors offering western gear, tack, clothing, artwork, and jewelry. The mix of registered exhibitors and makers shifts year to year, so there’s always something new to find.

Rounding out the weekend: the open bucking horse auction itself, and plenty of informal activity spilling out into downtown Miles City. The bars stay busy, the streets stay full, and the whole thing has the feel of a reunion as much as an event.

Tickets & Visitor Info for the Miles City BHS

The event is held at the Custer County Fairgrounds at 42 Garryowen Rd in Miles City, and tickets are available online in advance. The concert’s reserved seating and party pit options sell out early, so plan ahead on those. Miles City hotels fill up well before the weekend, too, so book lodging as soon as your dates are set.

For current pricing and availability, head to the full Bucking Horse Sale schedule.

Make the Most of Your Miles City Weekend

The Miles City Bucking Horse Sale is the kind of event that stays with you. Four days of live music, competitive rodeo, wild horse races, and a downtown parade that brings the whole city out; there’s nothing else quite like it in Montana.

Planning to explore beyond the fairgrounds? Our Miles City Local Guide has the full rundown on where to eat, stay, and hang out. 

While you’re in town, Seed of Life is here for you. Our Miles City dispensary carries a full selection of recreational and medical cannabis, including Seed of Life’s own Montana-grown house brands. With locations across eastern and central Montana, no matter where your adventure takes you, you’re never far from quality cannabis.