Days of ’47 Rodeo ropes wild competitors

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    By SINA MATTHES

    The Days of 47 Rodeo, Utah’s largest rodeo promises to entertain as it celebrates the Utah Pioneers.

    “The Days of 47 commemorates 1847 when Brigham Young came down to the valley on July 24; we commemorate the Pioneers and their trek into the valley and the founding of what we have now,” said Brad Harmon Rodeo Chairman.

    The Days cow milking, team roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and bull riding. Some of the contestants are world champions from across the country.

    “You’ll see the top cowboys in the entire world in this rodeo,” said Harmon.

    Chris Harris, 21 of Arlington, Texas; scored an 82 in the bareback riding competition on Saturday night’s rodeo winning that night’s competition.

    Harris said he started competing when he was nine and has been professional for three years. “I got on as a dare, I won and liked the money so I figured I’d stick with it,” he said. His schedule is packed with rodeos throughout the year, he participates in about 125 rodeos a year.

    “It feels good,” he said “in the last two weeks I’ve won $22,000, so it feels good.”

    Harris encourages those who want to ride bareback to learn how to ride, keep practicing and do it right. “If you don’t you could really get hurt quick,” he said.

    Getting hurt in the rodeo can bring an end to a career, but some riders who are injured just can’t stay away.

    Dan Heaton of West Jordan, Utah used to ride bareback until he broke his back in an Ogden rodeo. Today Heaton keeps up with the rodeo circuit by competing in the wild cow milking competition. He has been wild cow milking for three years and says he’s in it now “just for fun.”

    “I’m involved in a western riding club in Utah and they chose me from a team of milkers to be here,” he said.

    Two-time world champion bullfighter, Mike Matt has been involved with rodeos for five years.

    “I never wanted to ride them (bulls or horses) so this is the next best thing,” said Matt.

    The danger of distracting a bull away from a rider, Matt describes as a “mental game.”

    “It’s all about getting a reaction, I’ve been through these situations many times, it’s rehearsed so I’m prepared physically and mentally,” he said.

    Preparing mentally and physically in this event requires skills that Matt learned as an athlete playing football.

    “The transition from football wasn’t very hard, it takes repetition and time,”said Matt.

    Each event in the rodeo has specific rules and regulations just as any professional sport.

    “Rodeo is a professional organization like the NFL with a lot of rules,” Harmon said.

    Harmon said that it takes practice, experience and teamwork to put on an event of this magnitude. He relies on his volunteers, some of whom have been involved with the Days of 47 for over 25 years.

    The Days of 47 Rodeo runs through Friday at the Delta Center. The nightly rodeo is kicked off by an indoor fireworks display at 7 p.m.

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