Old West comes alive at World Famous
Miles City Bucking Horse Sale

The "Miles City Bucking Horse Sale" is synonymous with this town and the celebration of the horse, the cowboy and Western hospitality.

The Bucking Horse Sale is always on May's third weekend. In 2012 it will be May 17-20. Over these days the population of Miles city nearly doubles, attracting visitors from throughout Montana, the United States and abroad.

This is the best glimpse into the Western lifestyle you will find, and the action is up-close and personal.

The sale has been held for more than 50 years, and visitor interest in the event seems to grow every year. Hotel rooms are booked months in advance. For more information on the event and a tentative schedule, see the Web site at www.buckinghorsesale.com

The sale is the outgrowth of an informal gathering of stock contractors who began meeting in Miles City each spring starting in 1914. Today, a board of governors representing several areas of interest does the task, bringing in new events all the time.

Miles City has gained a national reputation as the host for this three-day cowboy Mardi Gras. It is often a rendezvous point for former Miles Citians and all Montanans. The socializing can be easy or strenuous - cowboy hat a plus, but not required.

The BHS also is a convention of rodeo stock contractors from all over North America. The horses, from untried stock to spoiled saddle horses, are sold at auction immediately following the rides. The feistiest command high prices and appear in rodeos all over the world.

The event also features a parade, trade show, horse racing, wild horse races, art shows, barbecues and street dances with a variety of bands on Friday and Saturday night. A Christian music concert is typically held in conjunction with the street dances. Several cultural events are also on offer, providing something for all ages and interests.

Sale sessions at the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds west of Miles City are scheduled for Friday evening, with bulls, starting around 5:30 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday the fairgrounds action starts at 12:30 p.m.

Recent tradition puts more than 200 horses in the ring. Interspersed among the Friday night bareback and saddle bronc horse events are several bulls.

Punctuating the rodeo riding is pari-mutuel horse racing. The horse racing serves to add variety, as well as spacing between rounds of horses being bucked out.

All the seats for Friday night's performance are general admission at $12. On Saturday and Sunday, $12 general and $17 reserved seats are available. Tickets are on sale in advance at the Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce office or at the gates. As prices may change, check our link to the chamber web site on our home page.

The "Bucks for Broncos," adds a $6,000 purse for consignors of the top saddle bronc and bareback horses.

The Bucking Horse Sale is a landmark on the calendar during which friends old and new can rally and reunite. It is a defining event for Miles City, imparting its Western flavor and traditions. Many members of the community work hard to bring together many different parts into an exciting whole.

You'll soon see that there's no other celebration in the world quite like the Bucking Horse Sale!