Ready To Rodeo? There’s A Great One This Weekend In Southern Utah!

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. That's why I'm happy rodeo season is here again, and here in Cedar City we have a great rodeo this weekend.

I hope you make plans this weekend to honor the remarkable life of Wendy Wood at the second annual Wendy Wood Memorial Rodeo. Held at Cedar City's historic Iron Rangers Arena on May 31 and June 1, 2024, this event promises an exciting showcase of rodeo events alongside heartfelt remembrance.

Jay Holcomb from Sky 9 Rodeo and Marilyn Wood, Wendy's mom, were on the radio with us to talk about this weekend's event.

“Last year we put the rodeo on in about three weeks. This year it will be a lot better,” Holcomb told us. “It's Friday night and Saturday night. The gates open at 5 O'Clock so you can come in and find your seat. We'll have an intro at 6:45, buckin' chutes open at 7 O'Clock. We've got three sections of bulls. We start with bulls, we have mini-bulls which is the little kids, and then we end with bulls. But we have all the other stuff. We've got bare back, saddle bronc. We've got tie down roping. Something really cool that we have this year is goat tying. Women's goat tying, it's going to be a blast,” Holcomb continued.

Now even though in the news release this is listed as the second annual Wendy Wood Memorial Rodeo, it actually has a little longer history than that.

“I think we started it in '02,” Wood told us and continued, “we went up to about '08 when the economy went down. That's when Wendy's name was taken off the rodeo. It was a PRCA rodeo and we were having a hard time and the stock contractor thought it was a good idea to take it (Wendy's name) off.”

It was last year that Wendy's name was re-attached to the rodeo.

The rodeo this weekend is a Rocky Mountain Professional Rodeo Association (RMPRA) rodeo, and participants will be accumulating points to add to their year long total, and will be competing for cash prizes.

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 and Marilyn Wood below.