ProRodeo Sports News - April 26, 2024

and understand that it’s big business and be willing to support it, I think is amazing.” The funding comes with legislative support from the Utah House of Representatives and Speaker of the House Mike Schultz. In 2024, there will be nearly $2 million paid out to cowboys and cowgirls from July 19-24, also known as Pioneer Week, between the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, Ogden Pioneer Days, and the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days. “The road to the NFR goes through Utah and there’s no doubt about that,” said Rick Davis, the Vice Chairman of Rodeo Operations at the Ogden Pioneer Days. “$2 million at that time of the year is crucial for these contestants.” In addition to these record payouts during Pioneer Week in Utah, there is an additional bonus of $15,000 for the top earning female and male athlete each across these three rodeos, which sit within 100 miles of each other. The Pioneer Week Top Hand Award for 2023 was officially recognized and awarded during the annual Governor’s Utah State of Sport Banquet at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on April 10. The inaugural bonus winners were WPRA barrel racer Jordon Briggs, who won the silver medal at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo and placed third at the other two rodeos, and team ropers Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp, who

won Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo and Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo in 2023. “The state of Utah is devoted to preserving pioneer and western heritage and the great sport of professional rodeo,” Schultz said. The investment has paid dividends in more ways than one. With the increases in payout and contestant hospitality it has in turn put even more money back into the pockets of the communities. “It’s made our area a place where the cowboys come and stay. It’s made such an economic impact in the area,” Davis said. “Guys and gals are getting trucks fixed and buying fuel and going to our restaurants. It really has made Utah the place to be for that 5-to-6-day period.” Those involved see this as only the beginning in their long-lasting endeavor to keep rodeo, the Western Way of Life, and their Pioneer Heritage alive and well in the state of Utah. “All of these rodeos are highly engaged in athlete hospitality, and they all ensure top level livestock and good competition,” said Tommy Joe Lucia, Executive Director of the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo. “It’s my belief that as long as we all put forth our best product for both the athletes and the spectators that we will continue to grow the sport of rodeo in conjunction with the PRCA and the WPRA.”

Photo courtesy Days of ‘47 Rodeo Rick Davis, Nick Hanks, Jordon Briggs, Tyler Wade, Wesley Thorp, and Tommy Joe Lucia poses for a photo at the Utah State of Sports awards presentation. The three contestants earned $15,000 bonuses for being the top money earners at the Ogden Pioneer Days, Spanish Fork Fiesta Days, and Days of ’47 in 2023.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/26/2024

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