2025 Golden Spike Rodeo Committee
Meet the 2025 Golden Spike Rodeo Committee, the men and women who spend 365 days a year preparing for the one week in August that draws record crowds to the fairground. They come to watch top cowboys and cowgirls test their skills against four-footed athletes.
Brent and Janet Rose
Leading the team are Brent and Janet Rose of Park Valley. Brent says the secret to making the Golden Spike Rodeo so successful begins in January. There are applications to be filled out, reviewed and filed, some with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. There are National Sponsorships to secure and, more recently, Cowboy Channel connections to be finalized (those who can’t be in the stands can still be part of the action). Then there is local support to generate. “Our sponsorship letters go out in April or May to over 200 current sponsors,” he said. As the actual event nears, it’s a matter of ironing out all the details involved in the production – the announcer, the stock contractors, PRCA approvals, specialty acts, video screen companies, and, of course, the volunteer help, “who we rely on to make everything work.”
The week before the chute gates open, the committee is busy hanging sponsor banners, putting up video screens, finalizing details and making sure everything is in place for nightly rodeos of Fair Week. Each committee member has a job to do and while they may not be front and center for rodeo goers to see, they are behind the action keeping things running smoothly.
When the crowds have gone home, however, there isn’t time to take their boots off just yet. There are Thank You cards to write, preparations for the next year to review and changes to make, if necessary.
Brent said the year of planning, preparation and performances culminate in Nevada at the end of the year. “The finale is attending PRCA convention meetings in Las Vegas where all necessary contracts are secured for future rodeos. And then the process begins again….”
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Jay and Holly Carter
If you are looking for homegrown comittment steeped in tradition, look no further than Jay and Holly Carter. Both graduates of Bear River High School, they have made Park Valley their home for over 50 years. It is in that rural community they raised five children and where they now welcome 18 grandchildren. Jay retired from UDOT and Holly from the school district, but the ranching lifestyle they have always embraced still keeps them busy, as does serving on the Golden Spike Rodeo Committee. Jay lends his expertise to the roping side of the timed events and oversees the popular Mutton Bustin’. He also works with sponsors, old and new, for the annual event. His toughest job, however, is making sure there are plenty of wild horses (willow branches) for the kids’ stick horse race. Holly’s role on the committee has her working with Tough Enough to Wear Pink, as well as the rodeo’s website and Facebook page. This year she is also helping with the creation of a 100-year pin as part of the celebration. Be it home on the range or behind the scenes at the “Oldest Rodeo in Utah”, the Carters are keeping tradition alive and well in Box Elder County!
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Denny and Geri Allred
Denny and Geri Allred aren’t ones to sit back and put their feet up when there is work to do, even if they are the owners of Don’s Furniture in Tremonton and could have their pick of recliners. The Allreds have lived and worked in the Tremonton/Garland area since they married in 1974. It’s Geri’s hometown and one Denny adopted, having come from Wendel, Idaho. Together they enjoy breeding and racing quarter horses, chariot racing and watching football. They are active in their church and enjoy spending time with their three children and 14 grandchildren. With family, furniture and football on their plate, this dedicated couple has still spent the past 16 years serving on the Golden Spike Rodeo Committee. It’s Denny’s job to help with the Mutton Bustin’, oversee the Calf Scramble, promote and prepare the sponsor banners and be the all-round errand man. Geri is kept busy getting national anthem singers for the nightly rodeos and making sure the rodeo royalty is ready to ride. She handles posters, logos, buckles and is helping design this year’s 100-year pin.
There’s no rest for the willing, and the Allreds prefer rodeoing to reclining, anyway!
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JD and Carol Wilde
It wouldn’t be the Golden Spike Rodeo if things didn’t get a little Wilde – and they do, thanks to JD and Carol Wilde. The couple have been part of the rodeo committee for over 14 years, and say they are “the best group of people in the world.” The Wildes live in Harper Ward, north of Brigham City, just a stone’s throw from where JD was raised and found his lifelong love for agriculture. Although Carol is originally from Cache Valley, JD’s good looks – and maybe his tractor – enticed her into calling Box Elder County home.
The couple was married in 1980 and have four daughters and 13 (plus one bonus) grandchildren. Spending quality time with that family and sharing their love of the land is important to the Wildes, as is their commitment to making sure the Golden Spike Rodeo continues being successful. JD, who recently retired after 46 years with Brigham Implement, said his focus is on the Hospitality Tent, set up to cater to the needs of the contestants and rodeo crew. He is equally responsible for making sure the four-footed competitors are cared for, bringing hay in for the rodeo stock. It is also his job to provide the sheep chutes, sign up sponsors, help put up banners and make sure the Jumbotron is in place. Carol is just as busy, making snacks available during the slack, helping decorate and putting together Thank You gifts for all those hands who help make the rodeo run smoothly each year. Is it a lot of work? Yes, but, then these two prefer things Wilde!
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Bret and Jeri Reeder
The word “RODEO” flows like blood through the veins of Bret and Jeri Reeder, new members of the Golden Spike Rodeo committee.
Both lifelong residents of Box Elder County, they make their home in West Corinne, just a half mile from where Bret grew up. It was there they raised four children – Ty, Katie, Bucky and Rowdy – who, in turn, have given them 13 grandchildren. “The ranching way of life is not for the faint of heart,” they say. “We worked hard as a family but played harder at the rodeos.” Bret started out that tradition by participating in rough stock events, riding bucking horses and bulls. He even shared the chutes with his oldest son, Ty, when they both competed in Bareback Riding at the 1995 Golden Spike Rodeo. An injury sidelined Bret as a competitor, but didn’t keep him out of the arena. He became a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association pickup man, raising his own tough, big-hearted horses for the job. Jeri joined him on the rodeo trail, working as a PRCA timer in the announcers stand. They are now both lifetime members of the Association. For the Reeders, this opportunity to help with the century-old Golden Spike event is a perfect way to keep the “rodeo” blood flowing!!
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Rod and Midge Ward
The saying “Bloom where you’re planted,” is especially true for Golden Spike Rodeo committee members Rod and Midge Ward. Originally from Plain City, the couple moved to Box Elder County and planted their roots in Howell 18 years ago. The rural community has been the perfect place to raise kids (they have three plus 9 grandchildren) and performance quarter horses. Rod, who works at Northrop Grumman, also finds time to hone his craftsman skills making bits and spurs.
Working behind the scenes at the annual Gold Spike Rodeo may be a new experience for these two but they are no strangers to the competition it involves. Rod is a past calf roper and team roper, while Midge, a retired civil servant, is equally handy in the arena as a breakaway roper. Their roles will swap from competitors to directors as Rod will be in charge of locating the timed event buckle winners, while Midge will work with the women buckle winners and collect rodeo merchandise to sell. They both will be contacting sponsors and hanging banners. It will be a busy time, for sure, but the Wards are ready to dig in and help grow the Golden Spike Rodeo tradition.
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If there are any questions or concerns, please reach one of the committee members.
Brent Rose, Rodeo Chairman, 435-279-3284
Jay Carter, Committee Member, 435-452-1492
Denny Allred, Committee Member, 435-279-4396
J.D. Wilde, Committee Member, 435-720-2301
Bret Reeder, Committee Member, 435-730-5831
Rod Ward, Committee Member, 801-721-0780
