Dinosaur Tire/Les Schwab will present the second annual Cowboys Memorial Day Rodeo on May 24 and 25 at the Castle Dale Rodeo Arena. The event is sanctioned by the Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association.
This event will be the season opener for the RMPRA series which includes rodeos in Idaho, Nevada and Utah with nearly 500 participants making the rodeo association the largest in the Intermountain west.
“Cowboys and cowgirls have serious spring fever and are ready to get going down the rodeo road,” explained team roper and Huntington native, Brock Truman. “This brings one of the largest contingents of contestants to Emery County and all of the top hands in the RMPRA to get the season going.”
Money earned at each RMPRA event counts toward the associations rodeo finals in November. Only the top 12 competitors in each event will qualify for finals.
Preston Sessions, 2012 Reserve Champion bareback rider also looks forward to the upcoming event. “The RMPRA consists of competitors that are skilled enough to compete in the professional ranks of the PRCA, but for one reason or another do not have the time or resources to travel full time,” Sessions stated.
Tie down roper, Justin Truman from Huntington competes for both the RMPRA and PRCA and explained details regarding the Castle Dale event. “Family entertainment will begin at 7:30 pm nightly at the Castle Dale Arena,” Truman explained. “Two time IMPRA bull fighters, Mark and Justin Scherer will be in Castle Dale along with award winning stock from Diamond H Rodeo, owned by Wayne and Alyssa Hebdon.”
“Admission for the rodeo is very reasonable,” continued Truman. “$10 for adults, $7 for children ages 6-11, and children five and under are free.”
Newly added events to this year’s rodeo include chicken chases for the kids and a man versus bull tough man competition. Anyone interested in competing in the nightly tough man contest must register May 20 from noon to 6 pm by calling (719)486-0599. There is a $50 entry fee and the last man standing each night takes home the prize money. With a limit of 10 contestants, this means prize money could add up to $500 nightly. Contestants must be 18 years of age or older and must sign a liability waiver prior to the event.
RMPRA 2012 announcer of the year, Monroe Magnuson explains how the contest works. “Up to 10 circles will be drawn in the arena, one for each contestant,” he explained. “Each contestant will be assined a circle where he will stand. A fighting bull will then be turned out into the arena. The last man to leave his circle is the winner.”
“This may not be a tough man competition in terms of muscle,” stated Sherman. “It’s more of a tough an in terms of guts, determination and strong nerves.”
Between the contests, rodeo action and entertainment, the second annual Cowboys Memorial Day Rodeo is certain to be fun for the entire family.