San Juan Stampede Rodeo returns to County June 6-8

by David Boyle
News Director
Professional Rodeo is returning to San Juan County this week. Over 250 cowboys and cowgirls will compete at the San Juan Stampede Rodeo, which returns to the County Fairgrounds in Monticello this Thursday through Saturday, June 6, 7 and 8.
The rodeo returned last year for the first time since 2019 due to Covid-19 concerns, with enough success in its first year back the rodeo is adding one more day of action.
Event organizer Karah Nay says the additional day will allow for more cowboys and cowgirls to enter. The contestants include many who have been to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Among the contestants for barrel racing is cowgirl Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi.
Hailing from Lampass, Texas, the cowgirl won the 2023 Women’s Pro Rodeo Association World Championship, twenty years after joining the pro rodeo circuit.
The world championship was her third with other titles coming in 2007 and 2009.
Pozzi Tonozzi told BarrellRacing.com that winning a third title was surreal. Telling the publication “I never thought a third was going to be in the cards for me. This is another dream come true.” The cowgirl finished 2nd at the San Juan Stampede rodeo last year.
Those who catch the rodeo will also see the first-family of Utah pro rodeo. Hailing from Beaver County, saddle bronc riders Ryder, Rusty and Statler Wright will all be competing at the San Juan Stampede.
The brothers have a combined 13 National Final Rodeo qualifications with Ryder winning titles in 2017 and 2020. Ryder is currently ranked #4 in the world with Statler ranked #3 and Rusty ranked #45.
The brothers are sons of Cody and ShaRee Wright, Cody is a ProRodeo Hall of Famer and two-time world champion saddle bronc rider in 2008 and 2010.
Rodeo attendees will also see local faces. Blanding cowboy Colton Oliver will be competing in tie-down roping, slated to take the arena on Friday night.
The bull riding field includes several riders on the Professional Bull Riders rankings. Including #60 nationally Wyatt Nez of Flagstaff, AZ and #58 ranked Avery Mullins of Cave Creek, AZ.
Gates open each night at 5:00 pm with action starting at 7:00.
Events include bull riding, bronc riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and breakaway roping.
The three nights of professional rodeo action are part of both the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Legacy Pro Rodeo-Bar-T is the event stock contractor.
Additional entertainment includes Felix Santana a third-generation horseman who specializes in Spanish style horse riding, Tate Rhoads as the funny man with Garrison Allen as the voice of the rodeo.
Vendors including food booths will be open each night. Food options include Navajo tacos, BBQ, concessions, and treats. With the ARL middle school FFA club running concessions.
Jewelry and home decor vendors will also be at the event.
While rodeo attendees will see mostly an evening of professionals, they may also see some familiar faces in the arena with Mutton Bustin’ for the young ones occurring each night, registration is full for the event.
The San Juan Stampede has dozens of other sponsors that have helped to make the rodeo return.
Attendees can purchase one or three-day tickets to the San Juan Stampede Pro Rodeo.
Tickets can only be purchased online this year, so be sure to buy your tickets before heading down to the arena.
Thursday passes are $8 for children age 8-18, and $15 for adults 19 and older.
Friday and Saturday single-day passes are $10 for children age 8-18, and $18 for adults 19 and older.
A three-day pass for children ages 8-18 is $20 and a three-day adult pass is $45.
Kids 7 and under are free.