56th Annual Montana Western Rodeo Banquet Set for March 27, 2026

December 23, 2025

The University of Montana Western is proud to announce the 56th Annual Montana Western Rodeo Banquet, a highly anticipated fundraising event taking place Friday, March 27, 2026, in the Keltz Arena on the UMW campus. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with no-host cocktails to kick off an evening of celebration, community, and support for the Montana Western Rodeo Team.

The night will feature a prime rib dinner, silent and live auctions, and the opportunity to meet and celebrate the Montana Western Rodeo Team. The evening’s guest speaker will be J.R. Vezain, a six-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) bareback rider from Cowley, Wyoming. Vezain competed at the highest level of professional rodeo before a 2018 injury ended his riding career. Since then, he has become a motivational speaker, rancher, and advocate for perseverance, sharing his inspiring story of resilience, grit, and life beyond the arena.

We are also excited to share a change to the dining setup. 

“To show our gratitude for our guests, we’ve made a small change this year to make the evening more comfortable,” said Jolene Robbins, UMW Foundation Special Events Coordinator. “The dinner line will be outside under tents to create more space inside the Keltz.”

Proceeds from the event directly support the Montana Western Rodeo Team through scholarships, travel expenses, and program needs, helping student-athletes continue a long tradition of excellence in collegiate rodeo.

“This banquet is one of our most important events each year,” said Head Coach JT Robbins. “It brings our community together to support our student-athletes and celebrate the sport of rodeo, and the encouragement, sponsorships, mentorship, and cheering — sometimes from hundreds of miles away — truly mean more than you know.”

Ticket Information:

• Single tickets: $75
• Reserved table of eight (Rows 1–4): $600
• Reserved table of eight (Rows 5–8): $500

Tickets can be purchased through the Montana Western Foundation Office by calling Kelly Allen at 406-683-7306 starting January 5, 2026.

For more information or to donate items for the live or silent auctions, please contact Jolene Robbins at 406-683-7303 or 406-660-1127.