EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah — Hundreds of people spent Thursday night at the Pony Express PRCA Rodeo in Eagle Mountain.
For many rodeo stars and employees, this is the first time they have worked or performed in months.
“Since March 13th we haven’t worked. Just personally I have taken over a 30 thousand dollar hit to my income,” Pro Rodeo Announcer Andy Stewart said.
Sponsors have stepped up to help make the rodeo possible with smaller crowds, Jared Gray, Pony Express Events President, said. It’s important to help the men and women of the rodeo to get back to work, he said.
“This to these guys, that’s how they made their living. This is essential to these guys,” he said.
There are several safety precautions being taken, and the event is following of the COVID-19 health department regulations, Gray said.
“We are able to do it responsibly while the Coronavirus is still here,” he said.
As people enter the rodeo, they have their temperatures checked and are encouraged to wear a mask. People must sit with the people they arrived at the rodeo with and remain at least 6 feet from everyone else. The number of people allowed to the rodeo has been cut from around 3,500 to 700, Gray said.
Due to the smaller crowd size, there will be two full separate rodeo shows Saturday so more people can come to the rodeo, Gray said.
Despite the smaller crowds, it’s special to be back, Kassadee Jones, Miss Rodeo Utah, said.
“It feels amazing. I am so grateful to be here,” she said.
The Pony Express PRCA Rodeo will run through Saturday June 13.
For more information on the rodeo, click here.