Don King Days 2026

The 38th Annual Don King Days was held on Sunday and Monday, September 6 and 7 at the Big Horn Equestrian Center. Both days included polo, cowboy polo, steer roping and bronc riding.

 Cecile Pattison, who has been a part of organizing Don King Days almost since its inception helps to coordinate the events, and the vendors, which she said is limited and they have a waiting list for vendors.

Pattison added that Don King Days has changed over the years. In the early days they had a steeplechase as well.

She said that at first they would snub the broncs to another horse while the rider mounted, but today they use a bucking chute, making the event move faster and safer. Still, with the horse and rider on the open pole field, it gives the spectators a much closer look at the western action that does a modern rodeo.

With the steer roping, it is the Wyoming Steer Roping finals held at Don King Days, and it is the Big Horn Polo Club final games of the season as well, so for the steer ropers and polo players it the final events of the year.

Polo was the first event of the day, with the Atlantic Western team winning 8-3. Honored polo pony was Charlie, owned and ridden by  Whistle Uys.

Cowboy polo is a crowd favorite as the half time show of the polo game. Paul Scherf, cowboy polo player, talked about the game. He has been playing for about 20 years

Cowboy polo originated in Florida many years ago, and moved west. It has been a feature of Don King Days for several years, and for many years was popular in Montana.

Helping with the day, and carrying the flags before the Bronco Riding and Steer Roping were the 2027 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Royalty Queen Jentry Reid and her attendants; Londyn Mefford, Princess; Allison Terrett, Jr. Princess; Taylor Teichert Little Miss and Novalee Anderson, 2026 Jr. Princess.

Reid talked about what she and her attendants are doing this year and at Don King Days, as well as handing out awards and carrying the flags.

She described what they had to do to be named Rodeo Queen.

Reid is currently a college student in nursing at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. She is currently a CNA so she is starting to climb the ladder to her goal.

Londyn Mefford was named the 2027 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Princess,

Allison Terrett, Jr. Princess had this to say.

Taylor Teicher is the 2027 Little Miss and she said her music teacher suggested she try out.

After the polo games, there was an intermission while the arena was set up for the bronc riding and the steer roping events.

Announcer Randy Taylor, a Cherokee Cowboy from Oklahoma, said Don King Days embraces the spirit of the horse. He introduced the flag bearers, saying that as American celebrates 250 years of freedom, we honor the symbol that has united our nation for generations, the Stars and Stripes.

This year, several flags were represented at Don King Days, carried by the WYO Rodeo Royalty Ladies.

Don King Days draws a large crowd each year, as it is the end-of-summer celebration for Sheridan area residents. There were vendors selling jewelry, western clothing, long horn skulls and other western items. There were food trucks and a cash bar in the Big Horn Equestrian Center Club House.

More photos and videos are posted at Sheridanmedia.com