Ogden Pioneer Days

11/17/2025

The NFR isn't something you just show up to… it's something you earn. All year long, rodeo athletes compete at events across the country. Every ride counts. Every run matters. And only the top 15 money winners in each event get that golden ticket to Vegas!

Think about what that takes. You're on the road for months, driving thousands of miles between rodeos, paying entry fees, hauling horses, living out of your truck—all for a shot at those 10 nights in December.

🏆 The grind starts in January and doesn't let up until November
💪 Athletes compete at dozens of rodeos trying to climb the standings
🐎 Every buckle, every check, every point brings them closer to the dream
⏰ The qualification deadline creates pressure that's hard to imagine
🌟 Making the NFR means you're among the elite in your event

That's what makes the NFR so special. The athletes who make it didn't get lucky. They earned it through months of dedication, sacrifice and refusing to quit!

When you watch the NFR, you're watching the best of the best doing what they do better than anyone else in the world.

11/13/2025

Every rider who climbs into the saddle knows this truth. Fear is always there, but passion is stronger. 🤠

11/11/2025

👉👉👉Very Special Announcement!!!

Ogden Pioneer Days was honored to receive the 2025 "Utah Large Rodeo of the Year" award for the Wilderness Circuit! This special honor was announced at the circuit finals this weekend and many of our team were there to be recognized. 🤠

To say we’re thrilled is an understatement—especially considering the number of incredible rodeos located in Utah. It may come as a surprise to some, but Utah is rodeo county with several notable PRCA-member rodeos located throughout the state. Hat’s off to all of these great venues who represent the sport and tradition of rodeo, so well. 👏👏👏

Also, sending a shout out (woot! woot!) to our good friends with the PRCA and the Wilderness Circuit. We are proud to be part of the great legacy associated with this storied community. Thank you so very much.

And last but not least, thanks to our fans, volunteers, committee and foundation who make this all possible—not to mention our wonderful partnership with Ogden City! 🙌 🙌 🙌

What is the Wilderness Circuit? A group of PRCA-member rodeos located throughout Idaho, Nevada and Utah. It is one of 12 circuits established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The Wilderness Circuit is known for its high caliber of contestants and competitive events, culminating in its annual circuit finals rodeo.

11/10/2025

Every December since 1985, something magical happens in Las Vegas. The whole city transforms into Cowboy Town for 10 days. And it all happens because 40 years ago, Vegas won the bid to host the National Finals Rodeo!

Before Vegas, the NFR bounced around. Dallas had it first back in 1959. Then Los Angeles. Oklahoma City hosted for years. But when Las Vegas stepped up in 1985, everything changed…

🎰 How Vegas Became Home
- The Thomas & Mack Center opened its doors to rodeo's biggest event
-The city committed to making NFR bigger and better every year
-More than 170,000 fans now pack the arena across 10 nights
-A new contract keeps the NFR in Vegas through 2035

🏨 What Makes It Special
-Fremont Street and the Strip celebrate rodeo culture
-Country music fills venues across the city every night
-The whole town rolls out the red carpet for rodeo fans
-Hotels deck out in Western decor and cowboy themes

For those 10 days in December, Vegas transforms its bright lights and casinos. Everyone is there to celebrate belt buckles, boots and the best rodeo on earth!

11/07/2025

OPD has the incredible privilege of hosting Miss Rodeo in Utah. No surprise that we were able to catch up with these amazing cowgirls doing this years' rodeo events.

⭐️ Ada Poulter wears the Miss Rodeo Ogden crown and represents OPD, a rodeo she’s cherished since childhood. Raised in rural Northern Utah, Ada is a lifelong cowgirl. She grew up in the saddle, shaped by the spirit of rodeo and the values it instills: grit, grace and gratitude. She proudly carries the brand and legacy of Ogden Pioneer Days while celebrating freedom, heritage and the Western way of life.

⭐️ Olivia Favero grew up in Taylor Utah, working the family farm. Wearing the golden crown is a dream come true for her and something she worked towards for many years. She has been traveling across Utah and the rest of the nation to educate others about rodeo, agriculture, and our western heritage. In December, she will represent the Beehive state in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas. All the best, Olivia!!

We wish the very best for the accomplished young ladies and appreciate how well they both represent the Miss Rodeo mission, and the good State of Utah. Let’s give them a woot, woot!! 🎉 🎉

11/05/2025

📣📣📣Volunteer Spotlight

Most anyone that has spent any time around the OPD rodeo will recognize these cowboys. Well… at least from the front!!😆😆😆

What you’ve got here is Kevin Tams, Dave Casperson and Ben Howell. And when it comes to hard work and doing things the cowboy way, you won’t find any better than then the three amigos.

These boys are the genuine article—authentic, western, dyed-in-the-wool rodeo hands. 🤠 If you don’t see them kickin’ up dust around the arena, you can find them doing the same at home… or somewhere else because they always seem to be helping someone.

Dave and Kevin take care of the property, and when not with them, Ben oversees our pre-rodeo events.

If something needs building, cutting, hammering, painting, hanging, hauling, tying, latching, roping or jimmy-rigging, you’ll find them there. 💪 And if anything needs finding, they know where it can be found.

(And if you happen to be one of Dave’s grandkids, you're likely helping out, too.)

You'll rarely find any of them without a ready hand, a smile on their face and a willing spirit. They are just good-to-the-bone. We love and appreciate these cowboy volunteers and hope you’ll join us with big thumbs up, along with maybe a comment or two. 👏👏

11/04/2025

Folks, the Grand Re-Opening of the Ogden Eccles Conference Center is tonight from 5 – 7pm! 🎉 There will a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours of the space, food, and a few giveaways. Hope to see you there!

10/30/2025

Today we're tipping our hats to the livestock veterinarians who take great care of rough stock across the country! 🐎 These dedicated professionals ensure our four-legged athletes get the best care possible.

Thank you to these unsung heroes for your expertise and compassion! 👨‍⚕️

10/29/2025

10/25/2025

Modern rodeo does way more than entertain crowds… it keeps authentic Western skills and values alive in today's world.

🐎 Keeping Real Skills Alive 🐎
🐎 Barrel racing develops the horse-and-rider partnership every ranch depends on
🐎 Steer wrestling came from real techniques for handling ornery livestock
🐎 Team roping mirrors actual ranch work when you need to doctor cattle
🐎 These aren't just athletic events—they’re job skills that built the West

🤠 Values That Still Matter 🤠
🤠 Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard
🤠 Respect for animals and the land is key to long-term survival
🤠 Community comes first because you never know when you'll need help
🤠 Your word is your bond, whether you're trading horses or making business deals

In a world of shortcuts and quick fixes, rodeo reminds us that some things can't be rushed:
➡️ You can't fake your way through 8 seconds on a bucking horse.
➡️ You can't cheat your way to a fast barrel time.
➡️ Either you've put in the work or you haven't.

That honesty is something we need more of everywhere else these days!!

10/24/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️FAN CAM⭐️⭐️⭐️

One thing is for sure, we love our OPD fans. ❤️ Every year we watch the stadium fill up with good folks from all walks of life. We love the diversity in our stands and throughout the communities we serve.

This year we were able to catch up with Tom and Valarie, who were tagging along with their granddaughters Kynlee and Kaycee. They were out enjoying quality time together, while watching some of the best rodeo around.

👏👏👏 Hats off to these good folks and all rest of our wonderful fans!!

10/21/2025

Less than 7 weeks until the brightest lights in rodeo! 🤩 The 2025 Wrangler NFR runs December 4-13 in Las Vegas, and the race for those final qualifying spots has been intense. Who's your pick to make their first trip to Vegas? 🎰