After taking part in a drag race, rodeo rider Hob Danvers shows up at "La Fiesta de los Vaqueros" rodeo in Tucson, Arizona, with his high-spirited girl friend, Sylvia Lorgan. There they encounter Hob's old friends, Lew and Meg Hutchins, who are staying in a trailer with their young son Teddy. Lew, an aging veteran of the rodeo circuit, tells Hob he has come to ask rodeo owner Eddie Elstead for a job. Hob is then visited by his estranged wife Ruth, whom he has not seen in two years. Although she still loves Hob, Ruth despises the unstable lifestyle of the rodeo cowboy, and when she asks for a divorce, Hob hides his own emotions and consents. After losing most of his money in a dice game, Hob meets Lew at his trailer and is appalled to find his friend dressed up as a clown. Lew explains that it was the only job Eddie could give him and that he intends to do it well. The rodeo begins, and after commiserating with Meg, Ruth decides to leave. Meanwhile, rising rodeo star Jackie Roach makes a pass at Sylvia, but she rejects him. Hob rides very well in the bareback event, earning him Teddy's admiration. Jealous that Hob has become his son's hero, Lew pays an injured cowboy to let Lew take his place in the upcoming bronco-riding event. Ruth then returns to the stands, and enjoys the unnerving effect her presence has on Sylvia. The bronco-riding event begins, and Lew is thrown from the bucking animal and injures his knee. When Lew clutches his leg in pain, the crowd roars, assuming it is part of his act, and Hob rushes to his aid. Eddie angrily berates Lew, but Meg and Hob praise his performance until Ruth demands that they stop lying to him and face the fact that Lew is washed up. Hob sends Ruth away, but Lew is impressed by her courage and tells Meg to bring her back. Lew then tries to convince Hob to make up with Ruth, and when Sylvia objects, Lew strikes her. Lew then returns to the ring for the dangerous Brahma bull event, ignoring Meg's objections. Hob is the last contestant, and Sylvia's excitement at seeing him risk his life fills him with disgust. Hob is quickly thrown by the fierce bull, and while Lew is distracting the animal, his injured knee acts up, and he is gored to death as his wife and son look on in horror. As Meg bemoans Lew's senseless death, Hob tells Sylvia they are through, and she leaves with Jackie. Hob is standing alone in the empty ring when Ruth approaches him, and they leave the arena arm in arm.