Summer fun gets out of the gate at the Herriman Junior Rodeo

The youngest Herriman residents are back in the saddle again this year during a traditional western summer event. The Herriman Junior Rodeo first round of competition was held on June 15, 16 and 17 at W & M Butterfield Park, 14200 South 6212 West. The second round of competition is scheduled for July 27 and 28, with a final round up of the rodeo on Aug. 4.

The event is hosted by the Utah Junior Rodeo Association for ropers and riders in the 11th grade and younger. Both boys and girls are invited to participate in the rodeo competition, which is free for spectators.

Herriman Parks and Recreation coordinator Danie Bills said the local youth rodeo will offer something for participants and local spectators alike.

“Most of the kids do multiple [events]. It’s really fun to watch. [The kids] have to be pretty tough,” Bills said.

The youth rodeo includes all of the favorite activities, including barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, break-away calf roping, chute doggin’ and bull riding.

The rodeo offers age divisions for youth to compete against others of their own age and sex.

For example, rodeo participants in the ninth through 11th grade will compete against each other; other divisions are set at grade levels sixth through eighth; youth in fifth grade and younger; and a division for the youngest riders, with aid from parents, in a separate arena area.

The boys and girls also have a joint competition, with teams of two – one boy and one girl – each working together to rope and tie a calf.

For the upcoming round of the rodeo competition, held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 27 and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, youth participants must have qualified with the best times and scores in the first round of competition in June.

The top 10 youth from each age division and event category will be invited to compete at the final round of competition held one week later.

The final rodeo will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4.

The youth compete for cash, prizes and bragging rights.

The Utah Junior Rodeo Association, the event sponsor, is organized with volunteer support to organize the rodeo.

Bills said the rodeo is a long-standing local tradition in the Herriman community.

“Ever since we’ve had the park, we’ve had a rodeo there,” she said.