Leonard Carter is a master of fancy trick riding whose constant innovations drive his competitors to distraction. Ahead of the annual rodeo in Cowtown, Texas, the other trick riders discover a cryptic entry on Carter's schedule called the Bar Act. Terrified that this unknown stunt will guarantee him first place, a group of desperate cowboys embarks on a midnight stakeout and a grueling cross-country pursuit to uncover his secret. Their frantic spying mission leads them through sagebrush and a graveyard, only to discover they have been tricked by Carter's helper.
When the rodeo begins, the tension mounts as the riders push their bodies to the limit, attempting to outperform Carter while keeping their alliance intact. The competition intensifies when Carter finally unveils the Bar Act, which turns out to be a metal automobile axle attached to his saddle, allowing him to spin like a trapeze artist while his horse gallops. Desperate to counter this novel spectacle, the rival cowboys scramble to improvise their own versions using whatever objects they can find, including a windmill handle and a broomstick, while stealing a valuable trick rope from an innocent bystander.
Their improvised attempts at the Bar Act result in spectacular failures and hard landings, but the competition's outcome takes an ironic turn. The judges ultimately decide that using a car axle violates the spirit of a traditional cowboy contest, disqualifying Carter's invention. Because the rivals pushed themselves to excel in their standard routines while worrying about the threat, one of them claims the top prize. The story concludes in a hotel room where the bruised cowboys split their winnings, having learned that relying too heavily on a single novelty can lead to unexpected defeat.
