The Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo is excited to continue to add to its legacy in the Salt Lake Valley by expanding events featured in conjunction with the World’s Only Gold Medal Rodeo. In 2021, Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Competition will be added to the schedule.
With an emphasis on education, Road to the Horse has inspired and fostered a strong knowledge of the fundamentals of natural horsemanship within its fan base. Since its inception in 2003, cultivating a solid foundation of natural horsemanship and strengthening equine partnerships have served as key principles of Road to the Horse, and one is hard pressed to find a more fitting classroom than the collegiate equestrian arena. Road to the Horse is honored to co-host the Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge in conjunction with the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo on July 23rd and July 24th at the Salt Lake County Equestrian Center in South Jordan, Utah.
“There is no better way to create a legacy, than to invest in the future,” states Morris Equine Group President, Tina Battock. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with the Days of ’47 Rodeo to create an amazing platform to showcase the region’s top collegiate teams. We’re excited to bring Road to the Horse colt-starting action to Utah for the very first time!”
Three top collegiate teams will compete for $30,000 in scholarships during the Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge, which requires each team to gentle a colt and display the highest standards of horsemanship over a two-day period. Top regional horsemanship teams will represent University Montana Western, Utah Valley University and Casper Community College. The judging panel will consist of Road to the Horse celebrities including Jeff Williams, Ken McNabb, and Wade Black. The event schedule, brimming with colt starting action, includes invaluable clinics from Ken McNabb and Wade Black.
“As we continue to look for events to showcase as part of our overall Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo, this event felt like a natural fit,” said Tommy Joe Lucia, General Manager of the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo. “Road to the Horse not only reminds us of the importance of horsemanship fundamentals but showcases it in a competitive environment. We are excited to bring this unique event to the great State of Utah.”
Spectators are permitted free of charge. Competition gets underway on Friday, July 23rd at 8:30 a.m. and Saturday, July 24th at 8:15 a.m. Learn more about Road to the Horse at www.RoadtotheHorse.com.
The Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo has become a must stop on the summer rodeo schedule for contestants from the junior high level all the way to the pros of the sport as they vie for gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the top three, setting this rodeo apart from any other rodeo in the world. The first rodeo performance is slated for July 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in the heart of Salt Lake City. Action will continue daily through July 24 when medalists in each rodeo discipline will be crowned.
Rodeo tickets are now on sale ranging in price from $14 to $29 and are available through AXS tickets – online at http://www.axs.com/series/11764/2021-days-of-47-cowboy-games-rodeo-tickets or by phone at 800-888-8499. Group sales of 10 tickets or more will receive a $5 off excluding the $14 priced tickets.
The 2021 rodeo will mark the sixth time in the history of rodeo where riders will have an opportunity to compete for Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals. The first two times were in conjunction with the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary (1988) and Salt Lake City (2002), when rodeo was part of the Cultural Olympiad and the other three times being the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo in 2017-2019. The medals awarded at the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo are produced by OC Tanner, the same company that made the Olympic medals for the champions of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
For more information on Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo visit www.daysof47cowboygames.com.
A perfect prelude to Road to the Horse 2022, The Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge will feature the world’s top colt starters competing for over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Road to the Horse 2022 commences at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on March 24-27, 2022. Tickets are available online at www.RoadtotheHorse.com or by calling 800-514-3849.
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About Road to the Horse
Founded in 2003, Road to the Horse strives to inspire people to reach a higher level of horsemanship and develop unity with a horse based on trust and not fear. We believe through education and entertainment; we can change people’s ideas and create a better world for the horse. The purpose of Road to the Horse is to identify the superior colt starter who accumulates the highest score throughout the competition. Judging focuses on the competitor and the effectiveness of their horsemanship methodology to communicate, educate, and build a partnership with their colt based on trust. Fans witness the entire journey, from colt selection to the final obstacle challenge. Purchase tickets and see the event schedule at www.RoadtotheHorse.com.
About Morris Equine Group
Morris Equine Group consists of some of the industry’s most recognized brands, including Western Horseman, Quarter Horse News and Barrel Horse News. The group also includes business-to-business publication Western Lifestyle Retailer and Equi-Stat, a statistical service offering detailed information and earnings for the performance horse industry. Morris Equine Group is also home to the National Barrel Horse Association, the West Coast Barrel Racing Association and the world championship of colt starting, Road to the Horse.
About Days of ‘47
The Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, takes place at the $17.5 million, state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark each July. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats. The Days of ’47 Rodeo is one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions – celebrating Utah’s heritage since 1847. The rodeo, and other Days of ’47 events, commemorate the day – July 24, 1847 – when a determined company of Mormon pioneers realized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Valley. The Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo is a private, non-profit, volunteer, charitable organization. Our mission is to honor Utah’s pioneer heritage and educate Utah’s kids. Please visit daysof47cowboygames.com for more information.
