In 1969, at the Cohagen Bar in eastern Montana, two cowboys, Judd Twitchell and Bud Kramer, challenged one another to prove who could ride the rankest bucking horse. Others riders jumped on the challenge, and in April 1970, the competition took place, igniting a decades-long tradition that would capture the grit, humor, and resilience of rural life in Montana.
By the third year, the friendly challenge was moved from Cohagen to Jordan and evolved into the Jordan Matched Bronc Ride, one of the most cherished bronc riding events in the region.
Funded through the Twitchell Ranch Outfitting account, the event thrived under stewardship of Judd and his wife, Eva. Through each transition, Judd remained at the helm, inviting riders and arranging contractors, while Eva ensured every payout and record stayed true. Judd continued to ride well into his 40s at the match. (Bud passed away in 1979.)
Jordan Matched Bronc Ride became a coveted invitation-only event where amateur and professional riders came not just for the prize, but the spirit of the occasion. As the ride evolved, it expanded to include team roping, wild horse race, novice bronc riding, calf roping and even steer tripping, always aimed at preserving engagement and tradition.
In 2014, Jordan Matched Bronc Ride partnered with the World Class Bucking Horse Futurity, bringing in contractors and streamlining entries. In 2019, it transformed into Jordan Xtreme Broncs, in partnership with Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) stock contractors and contestants. In this new era, Jordan Xtreme Broncs became rooted in national-level rodeo prestige while keeping its hometown soul intact.
Held annually each Father’s Day, the Jordan Xtreme Broncs attracts world champions and PRCA elites, with an audience of over 1,100 and added prize money reaching $35,000. It is organized by a committed crew
of ten and a handful of dedicated volunteers—a testament to the event’s deep-rooted community.
Jordan Xtreme Broncs is not just a rodeo; it is a legacy of hearty laughter, high-spirited competition, lasting endurance and love for a small town’s living heritage. It honors the vision of the Twitchell family while elevating the sport of bronc riding to its highest level. For over five decades, this event has embodied the pulse of rural Montana.