Money Chosen John Justin Committeeperson of the Year
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Steven Money, who served as the rodeo director for the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo for 34 years, has been chosen as the 2017 John Justin Committeeperson of the Year.
Money retired as the rodeo director for the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo following the 2017 rodeo, which ran from July 20-24.
“When they first called me, my heart was joyous,” said Money, 66. “It’s such an honor to be recognized by all your other peers. I put that rodeo (Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo) as the first thing in my life. When you get an honor like this, it’s gratifying to know all the hard work you did has been recognized by other people. There are all these great people on committees and great rodeos and this is truly a great honor to receive. I really appreciate the PRCA and Justin (Boots) for putting this kind of award together.”
With help and leadership from Money, the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo, in 2016, became the 24th rodeo to be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame since the inaugural class in 1979. It also was the first Utah rodeo to be inducted in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
In December of 2016, through the leadership of Money, the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo was presented the PRCA’s annual Remuda Award. This is an award given to the rodeo committee that provides the best, most consistent pen of bucking stock, creating the best opportunities for contestants to score well.
“I am so thankful for the committee that we’ve had,” Money said. “We’ve just had excellent, excellent people on our committee who help make it so great. It’s a joy when you go to work with that committee. It’s something that I truly loved. It’s going to be very hard to be away from it, but I’m still going to be in contact with people in the rodeo business and help rodeo committees out.”
Money, a native of Spanish Fork, has been involved with the Western lifestyle his entire life.
“I rodeoed when I was younger, and I just love that passion to compete and (being a rodeo director) was a way to be associated with it,” Money said. “I think the most gratifying thing of all the awards and everything is when you see that crowd in there (at the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo). We’ve had 48 consecutive sellouts, that’s 12 years that we sold every single ticket we had. When the crowd is there, and people are patting you on the back for a great show, nothing can describe how good that feeling is.”
Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo joined the PRCA in 1942, and is home to one of the finest venues in the sport. Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo opened its new arena in 2012. The new arena sits 8,400 people.
Courtesy of PRCA