PRCA and Days of ’47 Join Forces on $2 Million Cowboy Games Rodeo
by ProRodeo | Dec 06, 2016
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Days of ’47 Rodeo are excited to announce the Days of ’47 Komatsu Equipment Cowboy Games, coming in the summer of 2017 to Salt Lake City. The $2 million Olympic-style rodeo will be held July 19-22 and 24 in the all-new, $16 million, state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena currently under construction at the Utah State Fair Park. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—is due for completion by July 1, and features 10,000 stadium-style seats.
Earnings from this one-of-a-kind PRCA-sanctioned rodeo will count toward the 2017 world standings. Winners in each event will be awarded $100,000 in cash and prizes, and a Days of ’47 Cowboy Games Gold Medal.
PRCA contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding will earn the right to compete in the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games three different ways. The top 10 contestants in the PRCA and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings will qualify for the semifinals, as will 20 additional contestants in each event through a series of PRCA rodeos—to be announced, along with the point system to be used—known as Cowboy Games Trial Events. Qualifiers from Cowboy Games Trial Events will advance to the July 19-22 semifinal rounds of the Cowboy Games. Rounding out the 40-contestant field in each event will be 10 select invitations. The July 24th Medal Round of the Cowboy Games will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
“The PRCA continues to raise the bar of opportunity for our members and fans, and the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games is a very strong example in support of that statement,” said PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman. “Our sport is strong, and so many record, sellout crowds at PRCA events coast-to-coast and in Canada in 2016 are proof of professional rodeo’s growing popularity in this great country and beyond. As we extend our reach internationally, this is a very exciting time for the cowboy sport. The possibilities on the horizon for the PRCA brand are truly endless, and we’re proud to partner with our friends in Salt Lake City to make the Cowboy Games a huge success.”
“Days of ’47 is excited to once again partner with the PRCA to introduce a new and innovative rodeo for the fans,” said President and CEO of Days of ’47 Rodeo Dan Shaw. “This exciting new format will bring a fresh approach to the sport, and greater financial opportunities to the rodeo athletes. The Cowboy Games will give the fans an opportunity to be more engaged, and will bring widespread national exposure to the sport. We want to thank the PRCA for their tremendous effort in making this a reality.”
The Days of ’47 Cowboy Games also will feature the Cowboy Games Fan Zone, complete with Western gift expo, livestock show, carnival, pioneer camps, a free music stage, a free competition arena, pony rides, food and Western fun for all ages.
For a limited time, rodeo fans have the opportunity to purchase the same seat for every performance, as a Cowboy Games Series Seat, for as little as $19 per night while supplies last. Series-seats tickets are on sale now at smithstix.com, and start as low as $95 for the same seats for all five nights of competition.
Courtesy of PRCA