May 1, 2026-Darby, MT – The Darby Rodeo Association (DRA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will host the 7th Annual Dutton Ranch Darby XTREME Bareback (formerly the Yellowstone Darby XTREME Bareback) at the Darby Rodeo Grounds in Darby, MT, June 6–7, 2026.
 
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned event will once again attract many of the top-ranked bareback riders in the country to compete for $60,000 in added money, making it the richest standalone bareback riding event in the world. Paramount Network’s newest series, Dutton Ranch will be the title sponsor of this year’s event. Beth and Rip are back in a new series, Dutton Ranch starting May 15 streaming on Paramount Plus.
 
The Dutton Ranch Darby XTREME Bareback will run over two days, with the qualifier day taking place Saturday, June 6 at 5:00 PM (gates open at 3:00 PM) with $10,000 in added money up for grabs. The top ten qualifiers will advance to Sunday’s XTREME Finals, where they will be joined by twenty of the world’s top PRCA bareback riders, with $50,000 in added money and the coveted Capri trophy on the line. The Finals performance will take place on Sunday, June 7 at 3:00 PM (gates open at 1:00 PM) and will be streamed on the Cowboy Channel +. Calcutta’s will be both days of the event with one Saturday and two on Sunday.
 
This year you can see returning 2025 YDXB champion, Jess Pope and reigning PRCA World Champion, Rocker Steiner, who earned a record $507,532 in 2025, both are expected to headline the competition alongside other top-ranked PRCA athletes.
 
A sneak peek on Saturday night, June 6th, into the upcoming, August 23^rd, Darby XTREME Bulls event, featuring a special $20,000 Bounty Bull Ride.

This featured bull ride will showcase Wacey Schalla, who competed in both bareback riding and bull riding at the 2025 National Finals Rodeo. If Schalla completes the eight-second ride, he will take home the $20,000 prize. If not, the payout will go to support a local family whose 11-year-old daughter is battling cancer and hopes to attend the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV, along with PRCA bareback rider Dean Thompson, who was diagnosed with cancer last month.
 

Tickets for Saturday’s qualifier are $25.00. Tickets for Sunday’s event are $45.00. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.darbyrodeo.org/tickets-events. A combo ticket for both events can be purchased for $60.00 at Darby Wine & Spirits, Double H Hats and Murdoch’s in Hamilton, MT, or at the gate. Net proceeds from both days of competition will benefit the DRA and their community programs, including their youth, high school rodeo and scholarship programs. Children under the age of 2 are admitted for free.

“The support we’ve received in the way of sponsorships from businesses and friends of the DRA, in the Bitterroot Valley and Missoula area is what allows us to bring these great events to the community,” said DRA President Cal Ruark. “Our vision is to create rodeo at its finest.” The net proceeds from these events go directly to support all our programs, including youth and high school rodeo and our scholarship program for graduating Bitterroot Valley rodeo athletes. To host the richest bareback event in the country, attracting the best riders is pretty darn special,” continued Ruark.
 
About Darby Rodeo Association (DRA)
The Darby Rodeo Association is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the sport of rodeo and the western way of life through quality events, youth development programs, and community investment.
 
About Bareback Riding
Bareback riding is a rodeo event in which a cowboy rides a bucking horse for eight seconds while being judged on control, spurring technique, and overall performance. Horses are judged on power, speed, and agility. A strong score in bareback riding is typically in the mid-80s.
 
Photos available upon request
 
For more information on media or sponsorships for this event, contact:

Greta S Dorshorst, Media Coordinator (406) 240-6515

Nancy Shearer, Sponsorships (817) 269-0779