By Rob Nielsen – Standard-Examiner | Dec 20, 2025
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OGDEN — The Pioneer Days Rodeo has seen several changes the last few years ranging from stadium upgrades to entertainment expansion.
Recently, that attention to enhancing the product was recognized in a big way.
Rodeo organizers announced this month that, during the the Wilderness Pro Rodeo Circuit finals on Nov. 8 in Heber City, the Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo was recognized as the “Utah’s Best Large Rodeo.”
“Nearly 425 contestants had the opportunity to vote,” Del Mark, vice president of The Wilderness Circuit, was quoted as saying in a press release on the award. “We rank rodeos based on what’s called added money, or additional funds provided by the committees to increase the prize pool. It incentivizes more competitors to enter the rodeo. We are very proud of Ogden Pioneer Days and feel it’s an honor well deserved.”
According to Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo Director Rick Davis, that puts Ogden ahead of the Days of ’47 Rodeo, the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo, the Golden Spike Rodeo and several others across the state.
Davis said that many things make Ogden’s rodeo stand out.
“A lot of it is, No. 1, the stock that we provide for the contestants to compete on,” he said. “We have an incredible payout — we paid out close to $615,000 this year. And our contestant hospitality is premier and well-known, not only in the Wilderness Circuit, but in the entire PRCA.”
He was unsure if the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo had won this distinction in the past.
Davis said it’s quite meaningful to not only be nominated for a major distinction, but that the contestants that make rodeos possible were the ones to highlight Ogden.
“It’s always an honor to be selected for something this prestigious by your peers,” he said. “When the contestants that we try to serve and make rodeo great for then choose us as their favorite rodeo in the state, it makes the work that we put into it worthwhile.”
And he said there are no plans to slow down — rather, the rodeo will keep the momentum up to remain a top destination for competitors and fans of rodeo alike.
“We’ve increased our payout, we pay really close attention to the stock that’s provided and just will continue our legacy in hospitality,” he said. “We always try, each year, to do something a little bigger and better to not only serve the contestants, but serve the community. We’re just going to continue to do that and grow year by year.”
