Rodeo is a sport different from any other sport out there because it requires a connection between both animal and human, that involves trust, love, and adrenaline,” said Shannon Sleven, a recent Bozeman high school graduate and participant in high school rodeo. This sport is full of excitement, for both contestants and the audience, and summer is a great time to watch this thrilling event. Standard rodeo events include bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and various roping events. Towns all around Montana will be hosts to rodeos throughout the summer months.

The summer rodeo season was kicked off this year by the annual High School Rodeo Finals, held at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds June 6-10. High school students from throughout Montana came to compete for a chance to gain local recognition and qualify to compete in Wyoming at Nationals in July. Other rodeos such as Gardiner’s annual NRA rodeo, Wilsall’s annual rodeo, and Twin Bridges’ National Senior Pro Rodeo were also held in June; however, the beginning weeks of July hold the majority of the rodeo action.

The Livingston Roundup Rodeo starts on July 2, and will continue through July 4 at the Park County Fairgrounds in Livingston. The roundup rodeo commences with a parade at 3pm and this year’s theme is “100 Years on the Yellowstone Trail — An All-American Road Trip to YNP.” The rodeo begins each night at 8pm and onlookers will be graced with a fireworks show all three nights. This rodeo is sanctioned by both the Professional Rodeo Cowboys and Women’s Professional Rodeo associations, and draws competitors from all around the U.S. For tickets, go to livingston-chamber.com/rodeo.html or call (406) 222-3199.

Another equally thrilling event is the Home of Champions Rodeo and parade held in Red Lodge. The chutes will swing on July 2 and continue through July 4, just like the Roundup Rodeo. This year marks the 83rd annual Red Lodge rodeo, and will provide “the old west tradition of rodeo, in a community filled with hospitality, restaurants, and hotels, located at the base of the most scenic highway in America,” said rodeo director Beth Boggio. In addition to the usual rough stock and timed events, the Red Lodge rodeo will have mutton bustin for the kids. This is a popular, kid friendly event, similar to bull riding, in which children ride sheep and try to stay on for as long as they can. Ticket prices are $15 general admission and children six and under get in free. Reserved seating is also available for $20 and $30. There is a family day ticket for $25 on July 2 that admits 2 adults and 2 children. All tickets for the Home of Champions Rodeo can be purchased online at redlodgerodeo.com.

Marlene Sorensen, the director of the Harlowton Area Chamber of Commerce, is thrilled to offer the Harlowton Chamber of Commerce Rodeo this year, which will also be held the first week of July. The Harlowton rodeo has been around for 60 years and is held in a great location at a great arena, said Sorensen.   Both the Northern Rodeo and the Northern Women’s Rodeo associations sanction the event. It will be held July 3-4 at the Howard Holloway Arena in Harlowton. Tickets are $10, with a $6 price for children between the ages of 7 and 12. Children 6 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance, at Ray’s Sport and Westernwear in Harlowton (406) 632-4329) or on the day of the rodeo.

Sand will fly and hooves will thunder at this year’s 66th Three Forks Rodeo. “The Three Forks rodeo is the oldest rodeo in the Gallatin Valley and the only Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) sanctioned rodeo in Gallatin County,” said Christina Kamps, Executive Secretary for the rodeo grounds in Three Forks. Just past the I-90 overpass over the Madison and Jefferson rivers, the Three Forks rodeo will surely offer fun for all ages. In addition to the standard rodeo events, there will be a parade and a kid’s goat tail tying event. Competitors range from members of the NRA to local cowboys and cowgirls. This rodeo will be held July 13-14 at the Three Forks Rodeo Grounds (recently renamed from the Headwaters Community Fairgrounds), which is also home to events such as high school rodeos, team roping, cowboy polo, and barrel racings. Tickets are available at the gate for $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 and older, and children 6 and under are free. Gates will open at 5pm each night, and the action begins at 7.

As the summer reaches the last hot days of July, county fairs begin to spring up all over Montana. The Gallatin County Fair, themed “Best in the West,” will take place July 18-22 at the fairgrounds in Bozeman. In addition to carnival rides and animal barns, two rodeos will be offered during the five-day-long fair. The Best in the West Rough Stock Rodeo offers fairgoers a chance to watch 12 bareback riders, 12 saddle bronc riders, and 12 bull riders as they battle it out with some of the roughest livestock around. Action takes place at 7pm on July 20. Also, back by popular demand, is the annual Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo. This rodeo is designed to depict actual jobs of the working cowboy. The rodeo starts with a cowboy calcutta auction at 6pm and the rodeo starts at 7. Events include team branding, trailering, doctoring, and wild cow milking, along with the individual Ranch Saddle Bronc Riding. There is an additional $5 charge from regular admission to the fair, however those 15 year and under get in free with fair admission.

The Broadwater County Fair is set to take place July 25-29 in Townsend. The fair begins with a 4-H horse show on Wednesday July 25. A kid’s rodeo will be held July 26 at 5 p.m. and NRA rodeos will be held July 27-28 with rodeo action starting at 7pm. A final rodeo will be held July 29 for local adults at 2pm. In addition to the rodeo entertainment, the Broadwater fair offers 4-H exhibits, a livestock sale, and a public dance.

The Montana State Fair, held in Great Falls July 27-August 4, also offers exciting rodeo events. The Big Sky ProRodeo Roundup takes place for 5 consecutive nights at the fair, beginning on July 31. Each night is themed, with Tuesday being Patriot Night, Wednesday Family Night, Thursday Tough Enough to Wear Pink, Friday Blue Solo Cup Night, and Saturday Spirit Night. Tickets can be purchased at montanastatefair.com/rodeo.

The overall summer rodeo season concludes in August. The Second Annual Professional Bull Riding will be held at Big Sky July 31-August 1. This event is host to many athletes and bulls from around the world. Competitors try to ride the bulls for 8 seconds, while being judged for their ride. The Jefferson County Fair in Boulder, August 23-26, marks the end to the summer rodeo season within 150 miles of Bozeman for the summer. The fair begins with an in-county rodeo on August 23. A bi-county rodeo, open to competitors from Jefferson and Lewis and Clark counties, will be held on August 24, followed by an NRA rodeo held both August 25 and 26.

The summer months are filled with excitement for many towns around Montana. Pitting athletes against some of the roughest livestock around is just one aspect of rodeo. As Sleven said, rodeo is also about the connection a competitor makes with his animal. This family-friendly, thrilling sport is sure to bring people to the edges of their seats as they watch the action at any Montana rodeo.

Jessianne Wright is a recent graduate of Bozeman High School. She will attend MSU in the fall as an Honors Scholar.