The Spirit of the West Comes Alive

World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale

Miles City 

Mark your calendars for May 15 – 18, 2025 and make plans now to attend the annual World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale (MCBHS). For four days, beginning the third weekend of May, Miles City rolls out the red carpet, doubling in size, as guests from across the state and around the world converge on Eastern Montana’s premier social event of the year.

For over seven decades, the Bucking Horse Sale has paid tribute to the lifestyle of the historical Old West and is a world-renowned event where authentic cowboys and cowgirls alike gather to experience what the locals dub “Cowboy Mardi Gras”. 

“We’re a western show that’s one of a kind,” said Tracy Hauk, Marketing Director of the MCBHS board. “There are so many different things going on that weekend.”

First started in 1950, today the auction is haled as a major auction of bucking horse rodeo stock that markets hundreds of horses at the yearly event. Back then, Les Boe, owner of the local livestock yards, came up with the bucking horse sale as an innovative way to sell a few dozen head of bucking horses that he had taken in on trade. 

Local historians share that Les decided the best way to market the horses was to “let them buck.” Along with inviting local cowboys to try their skills at riding the broncs, Les asked several horse buyers, area ranchers and rodeo contractors to check out the horses. As each cowboy took a turn on a horse, it was auctioned off to the highest bidder. The event was successful and entertaining and became an annual event. Year after year, legendary saddle bronc riders and local legends-to-be have taken turns in the arena trying their best to ride out the broncs in rain or shine, dust or mud. 

Today it’s less about the bucking horse sale and more about a celebration of Western culture.The sale has become just one of many events over the entire weekend tailored to appeal to guests of all ages. It’s impossible to attend and not come away with a story or two.

And stories there are;from the town sheriff riding his horse into the bar after the parade to the tales of fist fights and gun fights, of friendships made and marriage proposals offered and even fulfilled.

The board of the MCBHS has worked hard to appeal to a wide set of patrons and the town puts its best foot forward to provide entertainment for families including camping at the fairgrounds, the parade and tradeshow, barbeques, paramount horse racing, and wild horse races, saddle bronc riding, street dances and of course the bucking horse sale.

“It truly encompasses the entire western experience from the kickoff concert to some of the most amazing broncs in the nation as well as top cowboys in the world,” Tracy continued.

One of the fastest growing attractions is the Trade Show. For three days, over 100 vendors from all over the country will showcase home décor, western attire, jewelry, art, and tack filling two buildings and overflowing outside where popup shops, boutiques, tack shops and food are plentiful.  

“There are people that just come for the vendor show,” Tracy said. “The shopping is that good!”

Guests can expect the romance of the west to meet them as they take part in the community’s hospitality.  The four-day weekend kicks off on Thursday, May 15 with the Pendleton Whisky concert featuring Tigerlily Gold and headliner Gary Allan. 

An economic boon for the community, Bucking Horse weekend brings millions of dollars to the local economy and is the biggest economic weekend for many businesses in Miles City.

But the fun in Miles City doesn’t just start with the Bucking Horse Sale weekend. For the two weeks leading up to the event parimutuel horse racing will be offered. Beginning on Saturday, May 3rd with the Derby Day Races, including a live Churchill Downs Simulcast from the Kentucky Derby with betting and going through Mother’s Day on May 11 with a full day of horse racing and free admission to all moms. 

“We are giving people a lot of reasons to visit Miles City,” Tracy said. “You don’t have to wait until the weekend of the Sale.”

Staying with the roots of the Bucking Horse Sale, the committee continues to have the sale on  Saturday but offers a Permit Challenge open to fifty riders on Friday with the top two advancing to the Bronc Match on Sunday. There’s something to see or attend every day from Thursday to Sunday. 

“We’ve coined the Bucking Horse Sale, ‘Where the Spirit of West Comes Alive,’” Tracy said. “It was once just the bucking horse sale and a street dance, but we’ve grown into a premier event. If you haven’t attended, it needs to be on your bucket list, and this is the year you should come.”

For The Schedule or Ticket Information visit www.buckinghorsesale.com