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In the official kick-off to Huntington’s Heritage Days celebration cowboys and cowgirls from all around the state participated in the Huntington Heritage Days Rodeo. The event didn’t happen in 2020, but they made up for it in 2021 with standing room only crowds and a record breaking turnout last weekend at the rodeo grounds.

The rodeo took place over two nights with seven different events and over 100 entrants taking home over $15000.00 in prize money.

In the bareback competition local rider Kayson Jensen finished in first place, just three points ahead of Justin Heap form Vernal.

Tie down roping ended with Ogden’s Gates Hadley and Ryan Yamauchi from Idaho tying for the top spot out of 22 entries, with a time of 9.4 seconds . Josh Hunter and Blake Bowler rounded out the top four.

Brooke Winward from Idaho finished in the top spot in breakaway roping. Jenifer Jacklin, Darcy Grant and Ryleigh Allred were among the top finishers in the event out of a field of 26.

With just five entries in saddle bronc Kelly Short grabbed the top spot with a score of 71. Nathaniel Musser placed second earning 64 points.

In the team roping event, Stefan and Brady Ramone grabbed the top time out of 25 teams. Hadley and Hayden Cloward grabbed the second and fourth spots and Trent Bradshaw and Greg Torgerson claimed third.

The ladies in barrel racing came out quickly with Ryleigh Allred, a 13 year old cowgirl from Clawson, claiming first place out of 39 entries. Gracie Mitchell, Morgan Jensen and Krystyn Stevens finished fourth.

And then finally in the one that everybody waits for, out of 17 entries in the bull riding competition, Payton Nelson out of Smithfield, walked away with the top spot taking home just over $2000 for his ride .

The rodeo marks the beginning of the Heritage Day celebrations. They will startup again on July 1st with concerts, vendors at the middle school, and will culminate on Saturday with a parade and fireworks.