Cowboy Mike’s Wild Ride

Cowboy Mike’s Wild Ride
Cowboy Mike and his horse Tug saddle up for a practice run in Teton Valley, ID. Even in training, Michael Miller’s signature fur jacket is always in play.
Words and Photo Max Ritter

I met Cowboy Mike’s horse Tug before I ever met him. Walking into a skijoring practice session on a horse ranch in Teton Valley, ID, as he prepared for the Grand Showdown race in Driggs, the brown thoroughbred stuck his nose out of the trailer to try to eat my hat. Mike Miller peeked out from behind the trailer and introduced himself, apologizing for his horse’s lack of manners.

Miller’s quiet, determined demeanor stands at a stark contrast to his race-day personality: a dude in a black cowboy hat and a lavish fur jacket layered over an American flag T-shirt. His stage presence commands attention on the track—when he’s in the spotlight, it’s clear he’s there to win.