The Spurs Are Off: Ogden Pioneer Days Celebrates 91 Years of Rodeo
Story by James Gordon. Photos and photo captions by Anna Kuglar
Bull riders tape up using athletic tape to prepare for their bull riding competition. Photo by Anna Kuglar
NEWS
The dust has settled, the broncs are trailered home, and with Pioneer Day wrapping up, so does a week of rodeo at Spencer Fox Eccles Pioneer Stadium. From July 18 to July 24, the yearly Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo launched into a week of rodeo frenzy, bringing fans from Ogden and beyond.
The Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo has become a yearly tradition for many Utahns, dating back to the rodeo’s roots in 1934 – a tradition devised by Mayor Harman Peery as a means of celebration and attracting tourism amidst the Great Depression. Today, Ogden Pioneer Days is recognized for its main events by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
The gate from the chutes into the arena being opened to release the competitors on top of their crazed bulls and wild horses. Anna Kuglar
Tickets were sold online and at ticket booths, ranging from $20 to $120, depending on seating. Each night blended sport, tradition, music and spectacle.
Every day, people gathered at stadium gates as they waited for the clock to strike 5:30 p.m., when gates were opened. Rodeo sporting events, including bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, and more, began at 6:30 p.m. Attendees cheered on ‘contestants as they competed for the top times, scores, and PRCA points.
“I just think that it’s so cool that everyone can come and appreciate a rodeo,” Emma Summerill, who attended opening night, said. “Everyone can appreciate how cool it is to see.”
Spectators flooding the stands to watch the rodeo events taking place for the Ogden Pioneer Days celebrations. Anna Kuglar
Along with sporting events, Pioneer Days Rodeo entertained its crowds with other events and special commemorations such as National Day of the American Cowboy – a spotlight to nominate honorees across every county in the state of Utah. Honorees were brought to the center arena and applauded as they were announced.
According to the event’s official website, Pioneer Days Rodeo celebrates these honorees, selected by every county, for their contributions to preserving the cowboy way of life.
A bull rider attempting to hang on as his crazed bull bucks him off in the arena. Anna Kuglar
Garrett Gleave, the American Cowboy honoree from Paiute County, expressed excitement, sharing how the tradition of rodeo emulates his background as a fourth-generation rancher and farmer. “Rodeoing, it’s a good thing [for] these little communities. It’s what we do.”
For some, Pioneer Days not only serves as an annual event, but a way to honor Utah’s history.
Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo clown, John Harrison bringing laughter to the crowd during his comedic routines throughout the rodeo events. Anna Kuglar
“Everyone grew up going to Ogden Pioneer Days,” said this year’s Miss Wilderness Circuit, Jenessa Sullivan. “So, it's one time in the year that we can celebrate our state's heritage, which is Pioneer Day, but also what the Western way of life means and can bring that all together.”
For performers like Emmanuel “Manu” Lataste, a professional bull jumper who staged across multiple nights, the rodeo’s value lies in its ability to connect with generations.
A horse having just bucked off their rider in the arena during the Bulls, Broncs, and Bands competition. Anna Kuglar
“It’s good for the people, it’s good to keep the tradition going on, the legacy on,” Lataste said. “And it’s necessary for older people, because they saw that all their life. And it’s necessary for the kids because they have to understand what we did 200 years ago, and 100 years ago, and what we will do 100 years from now.”
Couples gather in front of the stage to dance with one another as a slow song is performed as part of the Charley Jenkins concert. Anna Kuglar
This year also marked a return to a newly upgraded stadium, with improvements including 1,200 new box seats on the south side. “We’re going for bigger and better next year,” said facilities coordinator Dave Casperson. “And it’s going to be fun.”
Each night ended with drone shows and concerts, where spectators danced and sang along to country music under stadium lights.
A couple holding one another as they sway along to the music of the Charley Jenkins concert. Anna Kuglar
“Things like this bring out the energy in us,” Jared Summerill said, who attended opening night. “I believe it’s probably in the top four or five things that bring outside perspectives from neighboring communities, neighboring businesses, and it’s just a big, vibrant thing for Ogden.”