On July 19, Ogden Pioneer Days celebrated the National Day of the Cowboy. The celebration is meant to honor the history and heritage of the American cowboy. As part of the Pioneer Days event, one person from each Utah county is nominated as the cowboy honoree for their embodiment of the cowboy way of life.
Brent Rose was the nominated cowboy from Box Elder County. Rose has been a rancher for his entire life, and he tends to horses, cows and his dogs. Rose said that to him, being a cowboy means having integrity.
Rose said that the rodeo and cowboy culture can give people a chance to think about their heritage.
“I think it’s important. I think that’s where we came from,” Rose said. “A lot of people are getting farther away from the farms and ranches, so I think it gives them a chance to step back and think about their heritage.”
Ada Poulter, who’s Miss Rodeo Ogden 2025, said that rodeo has built her into who she is today.
“It’s something that’s been ingrained in my life from the time before I can remember … I couldn’t imagine life without it,” Poulter said.
Poulter grew up in Garland, Utah, where she was surrounded by rodeo. Her mom was a cattle rancher growing up, and her dad’s family continues to run cattle and farm hay. Poulter wants to help other kids develop a love for the rodeo and cowboy culture.
“That’s what I look forward to, being able to talk to kids and share why I love it with them and hopefully create memories for them that they will keep loving it the rest of their life,” Poulter said.
Mckardy Kelly, Miss Rodeo Utah in 2024, also grew up with a personal connection to rodeo culture.
“My grandpa and my dad actually announced rodeos, and my mom was the rodeo queen,” Kelly said. “She’s kind of got me started in competing in queen contests in Miss Rodeo Utah.”
Kelly said that rodeo culture is all about keeping the western heritage alive.
“Rodeo always tries to pay tribute to that lifestyle that we came from in the past,” Kelly said.
Kelly said that faith is also a key piece of rodeo culture.
“You can walk behind the chutes, and you see the people praying before they get on an animal or praying before they run. You see the contract personnel praying. So it’s definitely at the center of everything,” Kelly said.
Addy Harrison, the daughter of Pioneer Day’s rodeo clown, also said that God is central to rodeo culture.
“You want to do your best through God. You want to represent God through whatever you do,” Harrison said.
