Ben Jones (Glenn Ford) and Howdy Lewis (Henry Fonda) are bronco riders. The pair are cowboy enough to do just about any job, except for the one at hand. That job: Saddle a clever, ornery, blaze-faced roan named Old Fooler and make him as gentle as a milk-pen calf. Can't be done -- and that gets the cowpokes thinking maybe they can make a dollar or two by wagering that no one at the rodeo can stay atop him either.