Moab Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo

The Moab Canyonlands rodeo has great contract personnel, an awesome committee, and a wonderful bunch of rodeo queens.

Their Stock Contractor is Bud Kerby of Bar T Rodeo Inc, announcer is my good friend Jody Carper who I was able to go to dinner with along with his wife Kelli in Pocatello at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, and rodeo clown Randee Munns.

The Chairman for the rodeo is Kirk Pearson and their rodeo queen is Tia Bates.

http://www.jodycarper.com/

Moab Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo

Tonight I arrived in Moab for Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the Canyonlands Rodeo. It was nice to finally be in warm enough weather to get out the sponge and give my horse a good bath before the rodeo.

I was able to meet some sponsors at the rodeo including Steve White who is a running for Grand County Sheriff, Buzz and Julia Bates from Whites Ranch, and Veronica Bullock and her family who are also committee members. I appreciate the rodeo committee and their hospitality. I was also able to stay at the Best Western Canyonlands Inn who is a rodeo sponsor and has some of the nicest rooms and services I have ever had at a hotel.

Ogden Noon Exchange Club

Chenae, Martina, Craig, and I met at the Ogden Golf and Country Club with the Ogden Noon Exchange Club today to invite them and their families to attend some of the great events held during Ogden Pioneer Days.

The Ogden Noon Exchange Club is a group of approximately 100 business and professional leaders from a variety of sources including state and local governments, Utah State University, Weber State University, and University of Utah, the medical community, U.S. service personnel, and a variety of local entrepreneurs. They meet the first four Tuesdays of every month with the mission to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and its national project: The Prevention of Child Abuse.

Thank you for your time and for allowing us to visit with you about the events held during Ogden Pioneer Days.

Cache County Queen Contest

I was so impressed by the Cache County Rodeo Queen contest and their amazing committee and involvement from girls in the community. This year there were 15 contestants, all of whom were from the Cache County valley. The outgoing queen, Jackie McMullin did a great job promoting the rodeo and queen contest this year and represented them well at the Miss Rodeo Utah competition last July where she was 3rd Runner Up.

The newly crowned Cache County Rodeo Queen is Taci Shaffer. Taci is graduate of cosmetology school, is an eyelash extension stylist, and will be completing a Master Esthetician program this fall. She is pursuing acting and modeling careers in Salt Lake for Whillemina Agency. Taci is also spending her time training for a couple of marathons this summer, working for a hospice agency and working with disabled teens. Taci's attendants for the Cache County Rodeo are Carlie Davis and Callie Checketts. The Junior Queen is Taylor Anderson, Princess is Bailee Noble, and the Junior Princess in Morgan Perkins. The girls all looked beautiful today and I was honored to be invited to attend.

Pony Express Days

Tonight I attended the first annual Pony Express Days Rodeo in Eagle Mountain with their queen Chantell Pilcher and first attendant Regan Torres. I was very impressed with the rodeo committee and their organization of the first rodeo. Hours before the rodeo started I was able to get a picture of the beautiful scenic view from the rodeo grounds and it was great to see the full stands on a Friday night when the rodeo finally got underway.

Rusty Allen, Eagle Mountain Resident and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riding qualifier is the Rodeo Ambassador for Pony Express Days.

West Haven Hawk Walk

Today was the West Haven Elementary School Relay for Life Hawk Walk. There were hundreds of kids age Kindergarten through Sixth Grade who came and walked to raise money with America First Credit Union for the American Cancer Society. They were also walking in honor of their two school teachers who are cancer survivors.

The walk was real fun. Some of the laps had themes; for example skipping, walking backwards, changing directions, crazy eights, walking through the human tunnel, boogie dancing, and many others. The kids were laughing and having a good time and they were served water, punch, and cookies by America First Credit Union.

America First Credit Union is a sponsor for Miss Rodeo Utah and they do a lot to give back to the community as well. I appreciate all that they do.

Riverdale Lions Club

Tonight I gathered at the Riverdale Lions Club meeting with Chenae Shiner, Martina Wardle, and Ogden Pioneer Days Chairman Dave Halverson to further promote Ogden Pioneer Days and some of the great events that are part of the celebration.

Dave shared some stories tonight that made me even more passionate about the Ogden Celebration. He told about how Mayor Harmon Peery organized the western festival during the Great Depression in 1934 to boost the spirits of the locals and bring tourists to the city. Those traditions are living today when families come together in the community to boost moral while honoring all pioneers.

We also talked about the three parades that are held every year as part of the original tradition. The Children's Parade where all children and families are encouraged to come and participate and the kids receive a free ticket to the first night of the rodeo. The Horse & Hitch Parade, one of the largest in the west with over 600 entries of horses, wagons, and carriages. And finally the Ogden Pioneer Day Parade with thousands of spectators to watch marching bands, floats, horse drawn carriages, antique automobiles, youth groups, and of course Miss Rodeo Utah Contestants.

There truly is something for everyone at Ogden Pioneer Days and it really has become more than just a local community celebration. It involves people from all over.