Montana's Own Saddle Bronc Rider Sage Newman Dominates in Miles City

The state of Montana showed up for saddle bronc riders once again. Home state cowboy, Sage Newman delivered right back.

At the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale Matched Xtreme Bronc Ride, Newman put together the biggest performances of his season, highlighted by a 91 point ride in the finals aboard J Bar J Rodeo’s Fringed Jacket to seal the championship in front of his very own Montana crowd.

The Melstone, Montana cowboy has become one of the most recognizable names in saddle bronc riding over the last several years, qualifying for five straight National Finals Rodeos from 2021 through 2025. Now, sitting No. 7 in the world standings in 2026, Newman looks well on his way toward making a sixth trip to Las Vegas.

A weekend like Miles City only strengthens that. $20,000 on two broncs is huge. 

The event started with another huge score from a different fan favorite storyline. Rusty Wright won the opening round with a 90 point ride aboard J Bar J Rodeo’s Hell On Hooves, continuing what has already been a huge season for the oldest of the Wright brothers. 

Rusty, who is chasing the first world title of his career, has officially climbed back to the No. 1 spot in the world standings, overtaking younger brother Stetson Wright once again as what’s shaping up to be one of the best saddle bronc title races in years continues to unfold.

While Rusty struck first, it was Newman who finished strongest with the highest marked ride of the event. 

After an 88 point ride in the long round put him well in contention, he came back in the finals and matched up with Fringed Jacket, one of the premier horses in the game. The result was those 91 points and a massive payday worth more than $20,000 between the two rounds.

Those are the kind of weekends that can shape a season, especially in a saddle bronc race this deep. This win definitely helped boost Newman and Wright in the standings. 

Miles City has long been known as one of the iconic bronc riding events in the country, blending rodeo tradition with elite competition, and this year’s edition was no different. 32 of the top PRCA Bronc riders met up with $75,000 added money in honor the 75th Anniversary of the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale! 

For Newman, though, the biggest part may have just that, simply where the win happened. With a Montana crowd, on Montana dirt, and by the end of the weekend, one of Montana’s best walked away with one of the biggest wins of the year.

Round 1:

1. Rusty Wright, 90 points on J Bar J's Hell On Hooves, $14,128
2. Chase Brooks, 89, $10,832
3. Sage Newman, 88, $8,006
4. (tie) Dawson Hay, Zeke Thurston, Kolby Wanchuk, Brody Wells and Statler Wright, 87, $2,826 each 

Finals:

1. Sage Newman, 91 points on J Bar J's Fringed Jacket, $12,558
2. Dawson Hay, 90, $9,419
3. (tie) Zeke Thurston, Brody Wells and Rusty Wright, 89, $3,140 each.