Milford cowboy enjoying success

Cody Wright isn't sure he's accustomed to the life of a celebrity, but the Milford cowboy is enjoying the perks that go with the kind of success he's had on the PRCA rodeo circuit.

"I don't know if I'm used to it," said the 30-year-old. "But I've done a little autograph signing in the last few years as I've made it to the finals. It's fun, and you get to meet a lot of people."

Wright, whose ability to stay on a bucking bronc has earned him four straight trips to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, is currently second in PRCA World standings. He's traveling to Utah to compete in the annual Days of '47 Rodeo, one of the most stalwart and sentimental aspects of the state's annual celebration. It's a unique rodeo, not just because of its longevity, but also because it's held indoors at the EnergySolutions Arena.

"It's a great rodeo," said Wright, who will compete on Monday, July 23. "It has quite a bit of money and it's close to home. Those are two good things."

This year, the annual rodeo will run from today to next Tuesday, and will feature some new entertainment. The rodeos all start at 7 p.m., except the rodeo on July 24, which starts at 4 p.m. and always attracts the largest crowd. This year's rodeo offers fans a chance to see Tommy Turvey, who does some impressive tricks with horses.

"It should be pretty neat," said Brad Harmon, director of the rodeo. The rodeo has a new stock contractor who will offer bull-riding fans two extra events. On Saturday at noon and Sunday at 6 p.m. the ESA will host two Professional Bull Riding events. The two-hour bull riding-only shows will feature some of the same cowboys riding bulls in the Days of '47 rodeo, but it will also offer locals a chance to see an event that's not regularly hosted in Utah.

"We're going to try it out, and if it works, then we'll make it part of the Days of '47 celebration," said Harmon. There is never a rodeo on Sunday, so the bull show on Sunday will be the only event that day. Tickets for the PBR events and the rodeos are sold separately.

In addition to traditional competitions like saddle bronc riding, which is led by Lehi native Rusty Allen with Wright in second place, there will be another year of mini-bull riding competition for those under 18 and the wild cow milking competition.

Wright's return to Utah will give him a chance to check on the herd of cows he has near Beaver.

"I think the Milford Flat fire was on the other side of the freeway (the east side of I-15) from where I keep my cows," he said. "I think they're OK ... It's in the same valley where I live, but it didn't affect my family."

E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com

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