Darby Rodeo Association
Darby * Montana * USA
The Full Story
About DRA
In 2009, Darby Rodeo Association (DRA) president, Cal Ruark, embarked on a mission to bring a vision of new life to the town of Darby through the restoration of the
Richard Cromwell Memorial Rodeo Grounds.
It Started With Vision
Fourteen years later, and through the labor and support of many volunteers and sponsors, Darby Rodeo Association has given the Town of Darby a first class facility that is recognized across Montana and in rodeo communities throughout the United States as a one-of-a-kind, first class western sports and entertainment venue.
Rodeo With Purpose
DRA produced what started as the Elite Bull Connection, a partnership with Tough Enough to Wear Pink Montana and Wrangler. The event was used fundraising effort to support the cancer center at Bitterroot Health. Since 2009 the effort raised approximately $100,000.
Recognizing the truth that men get cancer too, the event has in recent years become known as the Twisted Nut Festival - a roughstock event to support the fight against testicular cancer.
Leadership & Education
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In 2017 we began a rodeo royalty program. The Darby Rodeo Royalty serve as ambassadors of the sport of rodeo and our great association. This program creates an opportunity for young ladies to develop valuable leadership skills that will benefit long into their future. With the support of local businesses, the pageant was funded and DRA crowned it's first rodeo Queen, and awarded their first rodeo scholarship!
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We have now developed an additional scholarship for graduating Bitterroot Valley rodeo athletes.
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DRA is the host arena to the Ravalli County Jr. Rodeo club. To encourage the future of the sport, we do not charge youth rodeo for the use of the facilities.
Mission
Darby Rodeo Association is a qualified tax deductible charitable community organization on a mission to preserve and promote the sport of rodeo and our western way of life through the production of quality western entertainment events, support and encouragement of youth rodeo, and investment in building our community.
