ProRodeo Sports News - April 26, 2024

PRORODEO TRADITION

Amanda Dilworth photo Ben Andersen won the Ogden Pioneer Days in 2023 with an 86.5-point ride on Korkow Rodeos’ Joker Poker. He earned $8,855.

Pioneer Program pushing rodeo forward in Utah Supporting the Sport

BY TANNER BARTH T he Western way of life and Pioneer Heritage go hand in hand with rodeo. It traces back to the origin of the sport in the mid 1800s in places like Santa Fe, N.M., and Deer Trail, Colo. The state of Utah and the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City weren’t too far behind. As one of Utah’s longest-standing

traditions, the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, has been celebrating the pioneer and western heritage since 1847. The rodeo, and other Days of ’47 events, commemorate the day – July 24, 1847 – when a determined company of Mormon pioneers realized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Lake Valley. Because of the state’s interest in preserving the West and their Pioneer Heritage they are aggressive in making sure rodeo survives and thrives through the Utah Pioneer Rodeo Program. “The state of Utah is steadfast in preserving rodeo and their pioneer heritage,” said Dan Shaw, the President of the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo. “Our rodeo is honored to spearhead this program and to continue to offer opportunities to professional cowboys and cowgirls in the state of Utah.” The program took aim at supplying financial

support to a total of nine rodeos in the state in 2024. The Moab, Manila, Eagle Mountain, Monticello, Lehi, and Delta rodeo committees are being provided up to an extra $4,500 in added prize money for those rodeos. In addition, substantial money will be included in the payouts at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, the Ogden Pioneer Days, and the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo. “It’s great to see our state get behind rodeo and recognize the value of rodeo,” said Nick Hanks, the Fiesta Days Rodeo Chairman. “Not only for the fans and the people who live here, but also the economic impact it has on communities in our state as a whole. So, to see them recognize that

ProRodeo Sports News 4/26/2024

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