WELCOME RODEO NEWS FANS

Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo here early in 2008

Gold buckles, boots and chaps and cowboy hats will fill the arena this weekend at the Golden Spike Events Center for one of the most prestigious rodeos in the country -- the Dodge Wilderness Circuit Pro Rodeo Finals.

"The best 12 cowboys and cowgirls in the Wilderness Circuit will compete every night in the Golden Spike," said Wilderness Circuit vice-president Kevin Higley. "Not only do you have the top 12, but they have chosen the top bucking stock, the best animals, to compete on. You've got everyone -- the No. 1 guys and gals and the No. 1 stock competing against each other."

Higley said all of the cowboys and cowgirls had to compete in a certain percentage of Wilderness Circuit Rodeos as well as be a top earner in their event to make it to the finals. At the Wilderness Circuit Finals they'll be competing to earn a spot in the Dodge National Circuit Finals, which will take the top cowboys from each circuit.

"In the cowboy world, DNCFR is probably the second most prestigious rodeo next to NFR (the National Finals Rodeo)," said Higley. "I think the people, if they realized the caliber of cowboy and caliber of livestock that we're bringing, it's going to be non-stop action in and out."

The list of competitors at the Wilderness Circuit Finals is a "Who's Who" in the cowboy world. And quite a few of them are from Utah and have ties to Ogden.

Clint Robinson, a tie-down roper, team roper and steer wrestler, sits sixth in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association all-around world rankings, and the Spanish Fork resident will be returning to his birthplace and college town this weekend.

Cody Wright, a Milford man, and the world leader in saddle bronc riding will be looking for a solid ride, as well as bareback riding specialist Jessy Davis, a Payson resident ranked number five in the world.

The defending world champion bull rider, and Payson native Wesley Silcox will be riding against other top Wilderness Circuit bull riders. And those are just a few of the top names that will be competing in a quick, thrilling competition, said Higley.

Regularly held in late December, Higley said they moved the Wilderness Circuit Finals to October to accommodate cowboy, sponsor and stock schedules.

"We moved the date to accommodate cowboys because of the rough winter months in our area. It's awful tough for them to stay focused and to have the animals ready to compete," said Higley.

He also said they hope to attract more rodeo fans. "In a way we're trying to help our fan base, because during those months (Dec. and Jan.) it's tough for people to budget. We're hoping to appeal to fans a little bit more as well, since it's a little bit more comfortable time of the year."

The gates will open at 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week, with the rodeo beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Golden Spike Events Center.

Tickets for the event are $12 general admission per night on Thursday and Friday, and $15 reserved. Thursday night is a Halloween-themed kid's night, with kids in costume receiving free entry with a paid adult. There will also be trick-or-treating before the rodeo in the concourse that night.

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