May 30 and 31 mark the dates for the annual Dinosaur Tire/Les Schwab Cowboys Memorial Rodeo presented by Emery Telcom.
The rodeo will be held at the Castle Dale Fairgrounds with both Friday and Saturday night performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. and will be the season opener for the Rocky Mountain Professional Rodeo Association (RMPRA) summer circuit. The Cowboys Memorial Rodeo (CMR) is the starting line for the cowboys and cowgirls of the RMPRA as they make their way through the summer in a battle to become one of the top twelve in each event in the RMPRA, and in turn, earn an opportunity to compete in the RMPRA Finals Rodeo held each November. The summer circuit consists of 40 rodeos which span an area from Rigby, Idaho to Battle Mountain and Pahrump, Nevada with the majority of the sanctioned rodeos in Utah.
The RMPRA hosts a membership of over 500 contestants and the biggest majority of these top cowboys and cowgirls in the RMPRA will be in Castle Dale for the CMR. Among them, two time National High School Rodeo World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Rusty Wright who walked away from the world famous Rodeo Houston in fourth place, beating out his Dad (Cody) and Uncle (Jake), both World Champion Saddle Bronc Riders.
Also fresh off a win at Rodeo Houston, and stopping in at Castle Dale for the CMR is the Rodeo Houston Steer Wrestling Winner and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifier Olin Hannum. Hannum, who currently ranks sixteenth in the world in PRCA standings, walked away with a check for $50,000 from Rodeo Houston. As the entry books open on Thursday, May 22, the roster of top contestants is sure to get deeper and deeper which will make for a great show both Friday and Saturday nights at the 2014 CMR.
The Rodeo Stock will be provided by Diamond H Rodeo of Smithfield, Utah. Their bulls and horses have won several titles in the Intermountain Pro Rodeo Association and the Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association, including the 2013 “Bull of the RMPRA Finals”, Diamond H Yellow Wolf will once again make the trip to Castle Dale.
Friday Night is family night with discounts available and two sections of Cash Calf Chases for the kids. No pre-entry is needed for the calf chase. Just show up to try and get your share of $100 attached to the calves in each of the two sections. Saturday night will feature a Mini Bronc Riding Jackpot during the rodeo and is open to local kids. As entries on the Mini Broncs are limited, contestants need to call in advance to enter at (435) 749-1027. Also, Diamond H Mascot “Bucky the Bull” will be available to meet and greet the crowds prior to the rodeo along with the award winning bull fighters and father/son team Mark and Justin Scherer. All seating is general admission. For more information, call (435) 749-1027 or (435) 381-BULL.
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- Photo courtesy of Kenzi Grange, Huntington, UT