Iron County! There’s One More Rodeo To Go!

I'll be the first to admit it. I used to get a little bummed out following the Great American Stampede typically held the weekend following Labor day. Not only was that kind of the nail in the coffin for summer, it would mark the end of the rodeo season here in Iron County.

I would never make any kind of pretense of being a cowboy. I don't put on a cowboy hat if I think the occasion suggests it. I don't throw on a western shirt to try and pretend that I fit in with cowboys. That being said, I do like to be around cowboys and those who work and play hard in the western lifestyle.

Well, summer may be ebbing away, but thanks to Jay Holcomb and Sky 9 Events, the rodeo season here in the county gets to last a little longer. The Iron County Fairgrounds will be hosting the Spanish Trails Rodeo on September 27^th and 29^th, the last weekend of the month.

Jay is involved with a lot of the rodeo action here in southern Utah, including the Wendy Wood Memorial Rodeo that happened last Memorial Day weekend. He joined us on the radio to talk about the Spanish Trail Rodeo.

“The Wendy Wood (Memorial Rodeo), that was in at the end of May as well. And I was talking to Marilyn Wood and she was saying that that there was a lack of use of the Iron County Fairgrounds. And then a gentleman from the RMPRA, which is Rocky Mountain Professional Rodeo association. Ben German, who is actually part owner and the stock contractor for Broken Heart, said hey, we need one more rodeo. It's the last rodeo of the season. All the Cowboys and Cowgirls really want to come in so that they can qualify for the finals. And I said, you know what? I got the right place. And so that's really kind of how it started.” Holcomb told us.

And one thing Holcomb told us is that there will be a lot of action involving bulls. “There's a lot of bulls. We have a lot of entries. And it's really people and that's what people really want to see most is the bull running. But not only do we have start with bulls and we end with bulls, right in the middle, we've got the mini bulls. So it's really, really cute to be able to see. Chad Kaspersen does a really good job with the mini bulls.”

According to Holcomb, rodeo is a reflection of a lifestyle that needs to be celebrated. “People admire the cowboy way. They admire that the Cowgirls, and how gritty that they are and the intensity and the intestinal fortitude they have to do the things because you know, just on an everyday aspect of being a cowboy. You get up, you know, three, four in the morning, your animals eat before you do, you get out there. There's a lot of work that goes into this, you know, just like, rodeo, there's a lot of work.”

For further details, including ticketing and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.sky9events.com.

I do enjoy being at a rodeo. It always seems to me to bring out just the best kind of people. More than just a rodeo, this event is a testament to the strength of community and the power of unity in honoring those who have made a lasting impact. I hope to see you there!

You can listen to our podcast with Jay Holcomb below.