Don King Days

Events , Photo - Events , Rodeos , Things To Do

32nd anniversary – ‘Old West’ rodeo events, featuring match bronc riding, steer roping, and end-of-season polo cups. The Big Horn Equestrian Center provides open space & no fence setting in the majestic mountain foothills south of Sheridan. The family-oriented celebration honors renowned saddle maker Don King. For more information, visit www.donkingdays.com or contact Cecile Pattison at (307) 751-5454 or pattison@wavecom.net or Vicki Kane at (307) 752-0567 or vicki@kemperodell.com.

Each year Don King Days is considered by over a thousand spectators to be the grand finale of summer fun! Events feature classic equine events like polo, steer roping, bronc riding and wild cow milking, both days. The Big Horn Equestrian Center’s few fences and big fields put the crowd right in the middle of all the action. The Don King Days events began when local ranchers came up with this unique combination of equestrian events to be held in honor of King, owner of King’s Saddlery and renowned saddle maker worldwide.

2019

: Blacksmiths compete at the Big Horn Equestrian Center this weekend. 2019 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: With the rider on board, a bronc is turned loose in Sunday’s bronc riding event. 2019 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Craig Trnka, center, who heads up the event talks with a couple of competitors. 2019 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Crowds gathered at the Big Horn Equestrian Center Sunday for the first day of Don King Days. 2019 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Some of the spectators present as the championships got under way Saturday. 2019 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: One of the more than 20 vendors on the grounds. 2019 (Photo by Pat Blair)

2018

Blacksmith competition

: Horses are lined up, waiting to be shod. 2018 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: A blacksmith competitor shoes his horse. 2018 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: More horses and shoeing competitors. 2018 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Craig Trnka, who heads up the event, provides instructions via microphone. 2018 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: A competitor works the shoe on the anvil. 2018 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: A horse is prepared for shoeing. 2018 (Photo by Pat Blair)

2017

: A contestant files a horse’s hoof. 2017 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: More of the Don King Days crowd. 2017 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Horses wait to be shod on the final day of the championships Monday. 2017 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: A crowd watches the action from the sidelines. 2017 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Horses lined up on the other side of the competition tent. 2017 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Riders race down the field in a polo match. 2017 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: One of the vendors at the event. 2017 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: A contestant heats metal in a forge. 2017 (Photo by Pat Blair)

2016

: A view of some of Monday’s crowd. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: A few of the steers lined up for the roping competition. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: A roping contestant after he’s tied his steer. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: A game of regular polo was on the bill Sunday morning. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: World Championship Blacksmith contestant shoes a horse in Monday’s competition. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: The contest is open free to spectators. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Cowboy polo was part of the Don King Days entertainment. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Some of the more than 80 competitors. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: World Champion Blacksmith contestant Travis Buck of Ontario, Canada. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: More of Monday’s crowd. (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Another view of the contest. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Three of the competing blacksmiths in Big Horn. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Part of the Don King Days crowd. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Roping contestants line up for the calcutta. 2016 (Photo by Pat Blair)

2015

: A few of the vendors at the equestrian center. 2015 Photo by Pat Blair

: Part of the crowd at Sunday’s events. 2015 Photo by Pat Blair

: A horse-drawn ice cream wagon. 2015 Photo by Pat Blair

: Sunday’s blacksmith championships. Competitors worked in teams. 2015 Photo by Pat Blair

: Local horses were provided for Monday’s Blacksmith Championship competition. (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Bronc Riding Photos by Colleen Moullet

: Releasing Steer – SC Rodeo Team and Contestants Photos by Colleen Moullet

: A skirmish for the ball. (Photo by Pat Blair)

: Blacksmith/farrier Jacob Manning, left, and his “striker,” Blake Key, examine their horse’s hoof before shoeing starts. Both men are from Utah. (Photo by Pat Blair)