The oldest rodeo in Utah is this week in the arena at the Tremonton Fair Grounds during the Box Elder County Fair.
The Golden Spike Rodeo is 93 years old. Brent Rose, Chairman of the Golden Spike Rodeo Committee, said this year they are trying something new.
They are holding the first ever Bronc Riding Classic Wednesday evening starting at 8 p.m. They will run 20 women PRCA Breakaway Roping contestants and 24 Bronc Riders, some of the riders will be local cowboys.
“We have 17 or 18 of the top in bronc riders in the nation at our rodeo this year, so we had a pretty good draw,” Rose said. “The Bar T stock company is handling most of our stock, but we had to bring in some extra horses to accommodate the number of riders for the classic.”
With the additional horses there should be plenty of horse power and there is a $10,000 purse, he said.
On the other nights, there are some of the most sought-out cowboys in the world at this year’s rodeo.
Among the rodeo stars, Trevor Brazile has signed up to compete. Brazile holds the record for the most National Finals Rodeo world champion titles, having won 23 total. Sherry Cervi, the top Barrel Racer in the country, is expected to be there. She has won four Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world titles.
“We also have the number one rated bare back and bull riding cowboys in the nation coming to our rodeo,” Rose said. “There will be a Jumbo Tron over bucking shoots and Layne Brooks, one of the top announcers in the country, will do the play-by-play for the rodeo.”
Entertainers and bull fighters in this year’s rodeo will be John Payne, the One Armed Bandit, who performed at the Cache County Rodeo. There will also be bullfighters Rider Kiesner and of course a local favorite Randy Munns.
“There will be something for everyone at this year’s rodeo,” Rose said. “If you want entertainment, we have it; if you are there to see the rodeo, we have a good one planned.”
The rodeo will run Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 22 to the 25, beginning at 8 p.m. each evening. The Pre-rodeo will begin at 6:45 p.m every evening. Thursday will be Family Night, Friday is Tough Enough to Where Pink Night and Saturday is Patriot Night.