For the Record: Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo

The competition just keeps getting better at the Spanish Fork (Utah) Fiesta Days Rodeo, which kicked off yesterday (July 20) and runs through July 24. Nearly all of this iconic rodeo’s records were set or matched within the last 10 years, and last year had a record-setting total payout of $251,870.

Since 1948, no all-around cowboy has earned more than Josh Peek, who left Spanish Fork in 2015 with $8,710.

Bareback rider James Sursa set the arena record with his 89-point ride in 2006, which was matched by Ryan Gray in 2009.

Last year was a big year for steer wrestlers, as Baylor Roche set the arena record with his 3.2-second time. Meanwhile, Tyler Waguespack matched Seth Brockman’s 2014 two-run record of 7.5 seconds.

Spanish Fork’s oldest still-standing arena record is held by team ropers Tee Woolman and Bobby Harris, who clocked in at 3.7 seconds in 1986. Their time was matched twice in 2015 by Clay Smith and Paul Eaves and by Doyle Hoskins and Wyatt Cox. Meanwhile. Tyler Wade and Tyler McKnight own the two-run average record with their 8.6-second time from 2012.

Saddle bronc rider Jeffrey Willert holds the Spanish Fork arena record with his 89-point ride from 2005.

Tie-down roping was intense in 2013, as two arena records were set. First, Marty Yates clocked in at 6.7 seconds, and then Shane Hanchey came in at 14.5 seconds on two runs.

Barrel racer Cayla Melby set the arena record in 2016 with her 16.70-second run.

This year’s Spanish Fork bull riders will have their work cut out for them if they want to top Howdy Cloud’s record-setting 93-point ride from 2011, as that’s 1.5 points higher than any ride so far for the 2017 season.

Courtesy of PRCA