Three-time Sound Director of the Year puts talents on display at state fair SALT LAKE CITY – A couple of decades ago, Jill Franzen Loden was trying to find her own way in the rodeo world. Raised on a spread in central Wyoming, her family operates Powder River Rodeo, a livestock contracting company that produces[...]

Merritt, Landis to showcase their talents during Utah’s Own Rodeo SALT LAKE CITY – Matt Merritt and Donnie Landis have played on some of the biggest stages of rodeo, but there’s something unique about being at the Utah State Fair. “In that part of America, there are some great rodeo fans,” said Merritt, who will[...]

Summit to bring in other contractors to make Utah’s Own Rodeo better SALT LAKE CITY – J.D. Hamaker and his partners are maestros of sorts. A horseman by trade, he is co-owner of Summit Pro Rodeo alongside Daniel Beard and Byron Juma, and they are the livestock producers of Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7[...]

Utah’s Own Rodeo moving third performance to Monday evening SALT LAKE CITY – With less than a month remaining on the professional rodeo regular season, organizers of Utah’s Own Rodeo have made a decision they hope will help more contestants make their way to Salt Lake City in early September. “The Utah State Fair board[...]

Utah bareback riders know big things happen at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo SALT LAKE CITY – For Utah men who ride bucking horses, competing at the state capital is important to their heritage and their legacy. “It’s a rodeo that’s in my backyard that I look forward to being at, and they’ve done such a[...]

GOODING, Idaho – When T.J. Gray arrived in this community Saturday night for a rematch with a bull he knew well, he had a little help. “The crowd is absolutely electric,” said Gray, 23, of Dairy, Oregon. It’s a pretty small stadium, but it sounds like you’re in a big arena. The crowd loves it[...]

Garcilazos will bring award-winning charro showmanship to Utah State Fair SALT LAKE CITY – Tomas Garcilazo is best known as a showman; deep down, though, he’s a competitor who not only loves the spotlight but thrives in it. Just like his family before him, Garcilazo is not only carrying on the legacy of La Cherreria[...]

GOODING, Idaho – It’s been 22 years since an Australian has won a saddle bronc riding world championship. Damian Brennan wants to change that, and he’s in a great position to do it. He is third in the world standings with $176,365, and there are still six weeks remaining in the regular season. Only the[...]

GOODING, Idaho – Since he was a child, Tyke Kipp has had the same dream of being one of the best cowboys to have ever competed. He’s given it a shot for much of his 11-year career. As one of the first steer wrestlers competing Thursday during the opening performance of the Gooding Pro Rodeo,[...]

GOODING, Idaho – The life of a bucking-horse rider isn’t always glamourous. There are all-night drives and bad convenience-store food, and there are nights that broncs don’t do their jobs. When the opportunities rise, the elite cowboys take advantage it. “It’s been a little slow the last couple of weeks, but to have a horse[...]