Iron County Rodeo ropes in some of the highest recorded scores this year, sees death of champion horse

Iron County Fair Rodeo gave some of the highest scores of the rodeo season during the week of Sept. 2-5, Parowan, Utah, Sept. 5, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

PAROWAN — Amid a heat wave that pummeled the West over Labor Day weekend, applause and cheers could be heard from the Iron County Rodeo Arena as some competitors roped their way to victory.

With an average of eight to 10 competitors per category, the rodeo was organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and saw some of the highest recorded scores of the season.

“It was awesome,” Iron County Fair manager Joyce Evans said of the high scores. “We had Bar T Rodeo send some of their best stock down for the rodeo, and it paid off.”

Bar T Rodeo is considered one of the premium stock suppliers for the National Finals Rodeo for its bucking horses, bulls, steers and calves and has been supplying rodeo stock since 1949. Originally owned by Cowboy Hall of Famer D.B. Swanny Kerby and his wife, Vera Kerby, of Moab, it is currently owned by Jeff and Wendy Flitton, the third generation of the family-owned business.

The rodeo arena had one new feature this year: more seats. The new bleachers now allow between 5,500 and 6,000 people to be seated. And even with the high temperatures ranging between 98 and 99 each day, the weekend was mostly sold-out or near-sold-out shows.

“It was hot, and we did lose a few fair and rodeo goers because of the heat, but still, many people stuck it out,” Evans said, adding that last year, the weather during the fair ranged from 79-89 degrees.

Iron County Fair Rodeo fans doing the wave, Parowan, Utah, Sept. 5, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The rodeo started hot like the weather, as the competition saw Lefty Holman of Visalia, California, score an 89 on the saddle bronc event. Holman is a nephew of National Final Rodeo’s Hall of Famers, the Marvel brothers, Joe, Pete and Mike, who all competed in saddle bronc in the 1970s-80s.

Riding on top of Bar T’s Son of Sadie, Holman left the rodeo as saddle bronc champion, roping in $3,384 in winnings. Three other saddle bronc riders scored 88s for the weekend and tied for second: Mitch Pollock of Winnemucca, Nevada, CoBurn Bradshaw of Beaver, and Spencer Wright of Milford.

The bareback riders saw the prize money go to Wyatt Denny of Minden, Nevada, with a score of 85.5 on Rockin’Ruby. Denny took home $3,314 in winnings. He was followed by Jacob Raine of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, with an 85 and Clayton Biglow of Clements, California, with an 83.5 ride.

On Sept. 2, during the bareback ride, Big Chief, who gave the third place ride, collapsed in the arena. The horse was examined by the veterinarian and taken out of the arena. The horse reportedly died after being taken back to the ranch.

Jeff Flitton, owner of Bar T Ranch, released a statement following the death.

“There was no broken bones and the veterinarian confirmed it was a heart attack,” Flitton wrote. “The cause is currently unknown as it could have been genetic or another source. We are saddened by the loss of this champion and proud of Big Chief’s accomplishments.”

Big Chief had a buck-off rate of 40% with a stock average score of 40.7, according to PRCA statistics and rankings. Big Chief gave three PRCA rides this year. Besides the third place ride in Parowan, the horse performed at Cache County Fair and Rodeo in Logan at the beginning of August to score an 80 with Tilden Hooper atop and also at the Oakley Independence Day Rodeo in Oakley, rounding up a 74 with Bodee Lamars along for the ride.

Iron County Fair Rodeo gave some of the highest scores of the rodeo season during the week of Sept. 2-5, Parowan, Utah, Sept. 5, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

During the bull riding event, Utah native Hayes Weight claimed the title after scoring 88 on top of Austins Soldier and winning $4,324. Weight, of Goshen, was one of three riders who completed qualified rides. He edged out another Utah cowboy, Rylan Wright, of Midway, who scored 85. The last qualified ride was Wingson DaSilva of Springville, California, who scored 76.

The steer wrestlers got down and dirty as Idaho native Riley Hamilton, of Thatcher, pulled out a time of 4.4 seconds, grabbing the steer by the horns and claiming $1,838 in victory. He was followed by locals Baxtor Roche of Tremonton with 4.7 seconds and Chase Black of Coalville with 4.8 seconds.

Team ropers were led by Hagen Peterson of Genola and Dylin Ahlstrom of Delta with 3.9 seconds to claim $2,465 each and the win. They were followed by the following two teams Pace Freed of Chubbuck, Idaho, and Cole Wilson of Lake Shore with 5 seconds, and Brian Winn of Anabella and Matt Liston of Salina with 5.6 seconds.

Plain City resident Jake Hannum won with a time of 8.9 seconds in the tie-down roping event. He tied up $1,978 in winnings. Tom Simpson of Malad, Idaho, came in second with 9.8 seconds, and Rylee Rogers of West Haven came in third with 10.3 seconds.

Iron County Fair Rodeo gave some of the highest scores of the rodeo season during the week of Sept. 2-5, Parowan, Utah, Sept. 5, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Throughout the event, cheers and applause could be heard from the crowds as local cowgirls took the spotlight in barrel racing.

As the matinee and last showing of the rodeo closed on Labor Day, the crowds applauded before leaving the stands.

“It went very well,” Evans said. “The fair is growing every year.

Reporting an uptick in attendance, Evans said she was excited to see this continued growth of the annual festivity. There was also an increase in vendors and display exhibits.  The quilting exhibit saw over 120 quilts entered, which was probably the most significant growth for exhibits, she said, while the vegetables saw a decrease.

“The vegetables and gardening was down probably due to the drought,” said Evans.

Newer events like the all-terrain vehicle and utility task vehicle excursion and the horse trail ride received good feedback, Evans said. All in all and despite inflation, she said the fair saw growth in attendance for their main attractions which include the rodeo, demolition derby, mud bog, the little buckaroo junior rodeo, the concert and the carnival.

Iron County Fair Carnival remains one of the biggest attractions despite inflation during Sept. 2-5, Parowan, Utah, Sept. 5, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Looking ahead to next year, Evans said they hope to work out the kinks on the new assigned seating procedure and hope for cooler weather.

“I am sure if it wasn’t so hot, we would have had more people for more events,” she said. “We had a lot come for the opening parade and then go home.”

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