Tommy Joe Lucia named recipient of 2025 Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award

Tommy Joe Lucia debuted as a rodeo performer more than five decades ago at three years old. He never planned to get involved in PRORODEO. He intended to earn a college degree and pursue another path, but like it does for many, the Western lifestyle chose him.

On Monday, Nov. 3, Lucia received recognition for his contributions to the sport as the 2025 recipient of the Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Ritchey Tags.

"This award is special because it recognizes the unsung laborers in our industry that don't often get the credit for the amount of blood, sweat and tears that they put in to entertain fans and put on events and do what rodeo has done for all of these years," Lucia told the PRORODEO Sports News.

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GET YOUR OFFICAL RODEO GEAR HERE

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GET YOUR OFFICAL RODEO GEAR HERE CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING

Mutton Busting

Always a crowd favorite, the mutton busting gives the younger kids an opportunity to “Get Their Cowboy On.” Entries are now closed for 2025

Entries are closed

Longhorn Cattle Drive

Watch Longhorns move through the streets of downtown Salt Lake City to kickoff rodeo week.

Cattle Drive Route

Volunteer

Volunteers are a vital part of the rodeo. We would like to thank all our volunteers in 2025 who helped us put on a succesful show. Will have 2026 sign-ups coming late spring.

2025 sign-ups now closed

Vendors

Commercial and Food Vendor applications are now closed.

Attractions

There’s a lot more than just world-class rodeo at the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark. Gates open to Fun Zone at 5:00 P.M. so be sure to plan for a fun-filled day at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo. FREE ADMISSION to Frontier Fun Zone area.

Check out the Fun

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Tommy Joe Lucia named 2025 recipient of Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award
Tommy Joe Lucia named 2025 recipient of Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award

Tommy Joe Lucia debuted as a rodeo performer more than five decades ago at three years old.

He never planned to get involved in PRORODEO. He intended to earn a college degree and pursue another path, but like it does for many, the Western lifestyle chose him.

On Monday, Nov. 3, Lucia received recognition for his contributions to the sport as the 2025 recipient of the Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Ritchey Tags.

Read More →
Stetson Wright and Carlee Otero Named Utah’s Pioneer Week Top Hands for 2025
Stetson Wright and Carlee Otero Named Utah’s Pioneer Week Top Hands for 2025

A month ago Utah’s Pioneer Week wrapped up with the conclusion of rodeos in Ogden, Salt Lake City and Spanish Fork. In 2023, the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo spearheaded this initiative to feature these three rodeos within 150-mile radius of each other offering a two-million-dollar week for professional rodeo athletes. They then collaborated with the State of Utah to recognize Utah’s Pioneer Week Top Hands by offering a $15,000 bonus for the top earning male and female athlete across these Utah rodeos. The 2025 Utah Pioneer Week Top Hands are Stetson Wright and Carlee Otero.

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Gold Medals Awarded in Salt Lake City
Gold Medals Awarded in Salt Lake City

It was an electric night in front of the sold-out at the Utah Days of ’47 Arena in Salt Lake City and all the competitors brought the heat to put on a golden performance for the crowd.

Bull rider Hayes Weight saved the best for last in front the home state crowd setting a new arena record with a 93-point ride aboard Sankey Rodeo’s Magic Touch. Ironically enough the Goshen, Utah, cowboy rode the same bull in 2024 in the semifinal round for 91 to tie the arena record at the time.

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Munsell Searching For Gold in 2025
Munsell Searching For Gold in 2025

WPRA breakaway roper Taylor Munsell has been close to a gold buckle but has yet to reach that pinnacle in the sport of professional rodeo, but 2025 might just be her year.

Currently ranked No. 1 in the world standings, she is eyeing the $18,000 paycheck that will be awarded to the gold medalist in each event in Salt Lake City on Saturday, July 26 at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo presented by Zions Bank. She won the round on Friday night in 2.0 seconds to land atop the leaderboard with a total time of 5.6 seconds on two head. She was second in the first round earlier in the day with a run of 3.6 seconds.

“I feel that I do better when I just go out there and I don't focus on everything else and just try to make the best run I can,” stated Munsell of Alva, Oklahoma. “I seem to do a lot better when I do that. These rodeos are a lot but it's been fun.”

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