Press Release
The July 24 weekend in Utah is one of the biggest holidays of the year for Utahans as they celebrate their pioneer heritage. And nothing recognizes that heritage, although in a round-about way, like a rodeo. The 2015 Cowboys Memorial Rodeo is slated for July 24 and 25 at the Castle Dale Fairgrounds in Castle Dale.
This rodeo, which is sanctioned by the Rocky Mountain Professional Rodeo Association (RMPRA) will bring together some of the best cowboys and cowgirls from across the West to Castle Dale to compete, win money and bragging rights, and, more importantly, compete for a chance to qualify for the finals of the RMPRA. Only the top 12 contestants in each event at the end of the rodeo season, which ends September 30, are invited to participate in the finals each year.
“With the summer run of rodeo’s about half over,” explained Rodeo Stock Contractor Wayne Hebdon. “There are a lot of cowboys and cowgirls on the bubble for making the finals. From here on out, those contestants will be putting out every effort to get over the hump and secure their spot in the top twelve in each event. An atmosphere like that makes for a situation where the competition and viewing for the spectators is excellent.”
The Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association consists of over 500 members from four states and consists of over 40 rodeos throughout the intermountain west, from Rigby, Idaho to Pahrump, Nevada with a large group of rodeos in between.
“Many of the same cowboys one would see in the PRCA Rodeos are also members of the RMPRA, and Utah’s love of Rodeo makes it easy for these PRCA and RMPRA cowboys and cowgirls to compete in both association rodeo’s each weekend,” Monroe Magnuson, rodeo organizer, commented. “And what is even more exciting is that there is a large group of these cowboys and cowgirls that have ties to San Rafael Country and will be competing in the CMR. One of these cowboys would be Justin Truman of Huntington who is currently sitting #1 in the RMPRA standings and #7 in the PRCA Wilderness Circuit.”
As well as a great set of cowboys and cowgirls competing in the rodeo, the rodeo stock that is coming to the CMR will also be at the top of the league. Diamond H Rodeo from Smithfield Utah will be providing the livestock. “The rodeo stock that are invited to the finals are picked by the cowboys that actually get to try and ride them so only the best get to go to the finals,” said Magnuson. “Diamond H has several of these bulls and horses in its lineup, including bull of the year and bull of the finals, Yellow Wolf.”
All tickets for the 2015 CMR are general admission and are very affordable. Friday night is designated Family Night with a family of four getting in for just $30. Regular tickets $10 for ages 12 and up, six to 11-years-old $8 and five years old and under are free. Gates open nightly at 6:30 p.m. with the CMR kicking off at 7:30 p.m..
Friday night is honors night where several members of the community, who deserve but seldom get recognized, will be recognized during the opening of the rodeo. Also, Friday night will feature a Cash Calf Chase for the kids with $100 up for grabs during the rodeo as well as some surprise non-traditional entertainment during the opening.
Saturday night, the organizers are bringing back into the arena an act that has not been seen at a rodeo in several years and will finish off the 2015 CMR with fireworks at the arena after the rodeo. For more information, call (435) 749-1027.