Montana

Was This Montana's Best Rodeo of 2024?

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2024

Montana has been a rodeo country for as long as anyone can remember, and that’s certainly true with the major upgrades to the Darby Rodeo arena.

But even all the television coverage and prizes worth tens of thousands of dollars didn’t top what happened here this past weekend.

And it may be just the spark to become a regular event, and an inspiration to the next generation of Montana rodeo stars.

Dennis Bragg photo

An unbelievable turnaround

Darby Rodeo Association President Cal Ruark says it was the “challenge of all challenges”, when the group decided to start revamping the area 15 years ago, starting with a $10,000 “winner-take-all event.”

“We had to cut the entries off,” Ruark recalls, remembering the huge crowds. “The crowd had their nose stuck through the fence.”

How did “Yellowstone” impact the Darby Rodeo

When Paramount shifted its production of the TV series “Yellowstone” to the Bitterroot, it brought additional attention, contacts, and bucks. Now, the “Yellowstone Darby Xtreme Bareback”

Cal Ruark, Darby Rodeo Association President; Dennis Bragg photo

is huge, drawing the best riders from all over the country.

“It’s on the Cowboy Channel live, and it just became the place to be in the rodeo world,” observes Ruark, noting it was the community that “made it happen.”

READ MORE: How Darby Developed the Best Bareback Rodeo in Montana

One idea that didn’t happen until now

Yet, for all the success of being a non-profit, Ruark and the others had one more idea.

“I feel bad that I’ve let this go this long,” Ruark told me Saturday, as we watched the youngest cowboys and cowgirls at the 1st annual Darby Kids Rodeo.

For four hours, enthusiastic kids from 15 down to just 3 years old got their chance for applause and cheers, as they competed in easier traditional events like barrel racing, calf riding and steer riding.

Dennis Bragg photo

But when the little ones took to the arena for the stick horse barrel racing, and goat “underrating”, it was obvious the Rodeo Association had a hit on its hands.

“Brings tears to my eyes,” Cal told me, confident in the knowledge that there’s another generation to carry on the rodeo tradition.

“You never know which one’s going to be a future world champion. You just don’t know.”

“What more could you ask for than what we’re seeing here today?”

Are you listening PRCA?

While events like “mutton bustin’” have been a part of bigger rodeos for years, this fun afternoon under a perfect Bitterroot blue sky showed the kids should have their own event.

“The rodeo world is different as far as sports go,” notes Ruark. “Football, basketball, all that. People at a rodeo, one thing they do that they don’t have to do is take care of an animal. Whether they’re riding, running barrels, or whatever. They’ve got an animal int eh equation which is different than any other sport.”

The Association is hoping to repeat the success “3 or 4 times” in 2025.

Tell those TV cowboys to leave the kids some room.

Dennis Bragg photo

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Using information from the Census Bureau, these are the most commonly reported ancestries by Montanans according to 24/7 Wall Street.

Gallery Credit: Ashley Warren

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Montana

June 29 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

7 hours ago

June 29, 2026

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June 29 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Montana

French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship

Published

17 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship

Where Khloe Kardashian Stands With Ex French Montana More Than 10 Years After Breakup

French Montana is done keeping up with reality TV.

In fact, he only agreed to appear on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons over a decade ago as a favor to then-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian.

“She said to get on the show,” he exclusively told E! News at the BET Awards on June 28. “And I got on the show. Shout out to Khloe.”

The “Ever Since U Left Me” rapper, who split with Kardashian in December 2014 after eight months of dating, said the experience was “fun” because her family kept it real.

“They filmed their real life,” he continued. “And we were part of something together that one time. So it felt great. It didn’t feel like work because they film what they do everyday.”

As for his future in reality TV, the 41-year-old said those days are over, shutting down any prospective offers with a simple, “Negative.”

Although the “Unforgettable” artist—whose real name is Karim Kharbouch—may not be returning to television anytime soon, he has no problem hanging out with his ex-girlfriend these days.

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