by John Dowd
The Darby Rodeo Association is expanding its 2026 schedule with two new events this weekend, including a barrel race and what organizers say will be one of the largest bull-riding events in Montana by added purse.
The first annual Darby Sho’ Down Barrel Race will take place Aug. 21 to 22 at the Richard Cromwell Memorial Rodeo Grounds, followed by the first annual Darby Xtreme Bulls event on Aug. 23.
Cal Ruark, president of the Darby Rodeo Association, said the new events were added after the association decided it wanted to make greater use of its rodeo grounds following a concert last year that did not draw the response organizers had hoped for.
“We were looking for a new event,” Ruark said. “If we’re gonna do it, we’re gonna do a high-end rodeo.”
The Darby Sho’ Down Barrel Race, produced by Wing Barrel Productions of Hamilton, is expected to draw about 200 barrel racers. The event is free to spectators.
The barrel race begins at 3 p.m. on Aug 21. According to Ruark, the peewees ride at 6 p.m., then open, youth and seniors will ride Aug. 22, starting at 9 a.m. Later on Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. peewees ride, followed again by open, youth and senior.
The association has added $5,000 to Saturday’s purse and $1,000 to Friday’s competition. Two saddles will also be awarded: one to the 3D winner and another to the youth winner.
“We encourage everyone to come out and watch these amazing ladies and amazing horses,” the association said. Admission for the barrel race is free.
The weekend’s second new event, Darby Xtreme Bulls, will be held Sunday, Aug. 23. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Division 1 bull-riding event will feature some of the top bull riders in the country competing for an additional $60,000.
Ruark said the rodeo will be the biggest bull-riding event in Montana in terms of money added to the purse.
“I think it’s gonna be something people will really enjoy, to see that quality of bulls and bull riders,” Ruark said. “This magnitude of event, to a small town, is almost unheard of.”
The PRCA Division 1 designation puts the event at the highest level of Xtreme Bulls competition. Ruark said Division 2 events have $50,000 or less added to the purse. “Division 1 are the ones that really get the best riders,” he said.
Among those expected to compete are Noah Lee of Texas, who is ranked No. 2 in the PRCA world standings; Triston Hutchens of Idaho, who has been hovering around the top of the standings; and Wyoming’s Hayden Welch, who is ranked around No. 4 or 5. Gavin Knutson of Polson also qualified for the event.
The competition will feature a special format in which they will calcutta all 40 riders off, and the top 12 riders return for a final round after a first, giving spectators an additional opportunity to bid on and watch the top competitors.
The bulls will come from J Bar J Pro Rodeo, Pickett Pro Rodeo, Stockyard Pro Rodeo, Legend Rodeo Stock and Pete Carr Pro Rodeo.
Gates open at noon Sunday, with the bulls scheduled to start bucking at 2 p.m. An autograph session is planned for shortly after noon. Tickets are $45, with children two and younger admitted free.
The national anthem and “God Bless America” will be performed by Mary Millben, according to Ruark. She has performed for the last four U.S. presidents and also sang for the National Finals Rodeo.
The bull riding event also will be broadcast live on the Cowboy Channel.
The new events add to a busy season for the Darby Rodeo Association, which has spent the past four years investing heavily in its arena. Ruark said the association has put more than $1.4 million into the facility during that time.
The association also has donated more than $142,000 to local initiatives and causes, he said. “The thing that I’m most proud of is that the Darby Rodeo Association is debt free; we don’t owe anybody any money,” Ruark said.
Both new events also will feature the association’s youth rodeo trailer, “Cut R’ Loose.” The program was started over the past year to give children interested in rodeo access to equipment that can otherwise cost families thousands of dollars.
Ruark said the program allows families to rent saddles, ropes and other equipment, so children can try the sport before their families make a major investment. The goal, he said, is to “loan these kids equipment, without their parents breaking the bank.”
For Ruark, the expansion is about more than growing the association’s event calendar. “I love the sport of rodeo,” he said. He said part of that passion comes from the people involved in the sport, whom he described as patriotic and hardworking.
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