Families enjoy barrels of laughs at Enterprise Rodeo

Written by Sheldon Demke
July 23, 2016

ENTERPRISE — Hot temperatures did nothing to quell the enthusiasm of those attending and participating in the American Legion and Sons of American Legion Enterprise Rodeo Friday night – a longstanding tradition that has been coinciding with Utah’s Pioneer Day since the early 1900s in the small town 40 miles north of St. George off U.S. Highway 18.

Enterprise Rodeo Queen Cierra Christensen, a Desert Hills High School student, carries on the legacy left her by her Great Grandma Beulah Price Staheli who was Enterprise Rodeo Queen in 1920. Enterprise Rodeo, Enterprise, Utah, July 22, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Neica Christensen, St. George News
Enterprise Rodeo Queen Cierra Christensen carries on the legacy of her Great Grandma Beulah Price Staheli who was Enterprise Rodeo Queen in 1920. Enterprise Rodeo, Enterprise, Utah, July 22, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Neica Christensen, St. George News
Beulah Price Staheli, Enterprise Rodeo Queen 1920. Staheli's great granddaughter Cierra Christian carries on her legacy as Rodeo Queen 2016. Enterprise, Utah, 1920 | Photo courtesy of Neica Christensen, St. George News
Beulah Price Staheli, Enterprise Rodeo Queen 1920. Staheli’s great granddaughter Cierra Christian carries on her legacy as Rodeo Queen 2016. Enterprise, Utah, 1920 | Photo courtesy of Neica Christensen, St. George News

Enterprise Rodeo is all about family from spectators to competitors and this year’s Rodeo Queen, Cierra Christensen, is a quintessential example of just that. The Desert Hills High School student leading today’s royalty carries on a legacy set by her great grandmother Beulah Price Staheli who was Enterprise Rodeo Queen in 1920.

Christensen enjoys sharing her own royal glory.

“I am looking forward to having the Little Miss and Mini Miss at the rodeo Saturday,” she said, “and being a part of the Enterprise Rodeo Parade.”

Tyler Wadsworth hails from Idaho and said he just finished competing on the college-level rodeo circuit. He and his family were at the rodeo Saturday night.

“My family grew up doing rodeo,” Wadsworth said. “It’s a great thing to do with family and friends.”

Being part of a rodeo family, whether it’s competing or helping run the show, is about trying to be your best and helping others to become the best they can be, Wadsworth said.

Watch the video top of this story.

In what rodeo enthusiasts have come to call “the best amateur rodeo in Southern Utah,” the grounds of the Enterprise Rodeo bustled with excitement as competitors took center stage aiming to win prizes and titles during the three-day event that continues Saturday.

Among the exciting events at the Enterprise Rodeo are bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, team roping and more.

Two cowgirls carry chickens they caught in the chicken race Friday night. The race had spectators in cheers and tears – of laughter at the American Legion and Sons of American Legion Enterprise Rodeo. Enterprise, Utah, July 22, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Two cowgirls carry chickens they caught in the chicken race Friday night. The race had spectators in cheers and tears – of laughter at the American Legion and Sons of American Legion Enterprise Rodeo. Enterprise, Utah, July 22, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News

One event that literally brought the audience to tears from laughing Friday was the children’s chicken race, Enterprise resident Rustin Barlow said.

“It was quite entertaining,” he said, although bull riding is his favorite spectator sport. “The kids about trampled me, it was really good.”

According to its history webpage, the first Enterprise Rodeo was held sometime around July 1908, though, as the text reads, nobody remembers for sure. The rodeo always coincides with the annual pioneer heritage celebration held on or near July 24.

Lalonni Anderson was there to watch her daughter Ashton Anderson, this year’s Dixie Roundup Princess; (the Dixie Roundup will be held at the historic Dixie Sunbowl in St. George Sept. 15-17).

“We’re here supporting the Enterprise Rodeo,” Anderson said. “I just really like seeing pink sparkles in the arena. It’s my favorite night to go – on pink night.”

Anderson said it was a thrill to see her daughter ride into the arena for the”buzz run” and said her family has always enjoyed supporting the local rodeos.

Gigi Wiegert said she came to the Enterprise Rodeo for the first time ever this year.

American Legion and Sons of American Legion Enterprise Rodeo Friday night in Enterprise, Utah, July 22, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
American Legion and Sons of American Legion Enterprise Rodeo Friday night in Enterprise, Utah, July 22, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News

“My granddaughter and son-in-law are actually both roping,” Wiegert said. “The best part of the rodeo is watching them nail it. It’s fun to watch people you know out there.”

Kelton Price from Kingston also came to town to be with family.

“This is where they’re from so we decided to enjoy the rodeo. It’s a beautiful summer night,” Price said, adding if he had to choose the best part of the rodeo, it had to be the concessions.

“I always come for the sloppy joes, but I’ve heard the dogs are unbeatable, too.”

St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic contributed to this report.

Saturday night Rodeo wrap-up

Live musical entertainment, Jared the Clown, concessions and one more day of calf, breakaway and ribbon roping, mixed and team roping, barrel racing and bull riding continue at the American Legion Rodeo Grounds,
1003 E. 100 North, in Enterprise Saturday starting at 8 p.m.

Event details

  • What: American Legion and Sons of American Legion Enterprise Rodeo
  • When: Continues Saturday, July 23, 8 p.m.
  • Where: 1003 E. 100 North, Enterprise
  • Cost: Adults (12 and over), $6; kids (3-11), $3; little kids (2 and under), free
  • Resources: Enterprise Rodeo website

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheldon Demke is a film maker and self proclaimed Local Celebrity. He resides in St. George where he joined the video production team of St. George News. Among his other interests are acting, movies and family.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.