2019 Ranch Rodeo grand marshal selected
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LYMAN — Bridger Valley is consistently considered a place with a heart-of-gold, and this year the July 24 Ranch Rodeos are set to recognize this trait of Bridger Valley.
This year’s rodeos are slated for Friday evening, July 19, beginning at 6 p.m. Top contenders from the qualifying rodeo will advance to the Saturday, July 20, rodeo, which starts at 2 p.m.
And true to tradition, on the 20th anniversary of the ranch rodeos headlining the July 24 celebration in the Valley, the rodeos will focus on the Valley’s heart-of-gold. The theme for this year’s rodeos is “ Honoring Those Who Contribute in Bridger Valley,” according to rodeo chair Joe Hickey Tuesday afternoon. The theme, Hickey said, pays tribute to the Valley and its coming together to support and help each other in all areas.
“We just want to honor Bridger Valley and the people for this trait,” Hickey said.
True to this year’s theme and giving back, Kristie Bennion Taylor, this year’s grand marshal, is a prime example of the theme. Taylor has a house on Horse Creek above Robertson and is an avid horse lover.
According to Hickey, Taylor has been a force for the rodeo committee through the years. He said this is the 20th year of the Ranch Rodeos for the July 24 celebration. In that time, Taylor has donated all of the belt buckles over the years for the ranch rodeos. This year, buckles will be given in all events.
Although Hickey wasn’t able to give an exact dollar figure, the cost over the years was in the thousands. In addition, Taylor helps with the work behind-the-scenes to produce the rodeo, Hickey said.
Taylor’s father, Sam Bennion, started V-1 Propane, a multi-state company 60 years ago, Hickey said. Taylor wanted to honor her father and give back to the Valley as the company had a lot of customers in Bridger Valley.
Taylor is a trail-rider and belongs to a group, which rides trails throughout many areas. Her favorite breed, Arabs.
Taylor got married in January to Randall Taylor who is an engineer for the Utah Department of Transportation. He is from Richfield, Utah.
