Payson Rodeo THE WORLD’S OLDEST CONTINOUS RODEO

Danny Freeman, author of the World’s Oldest Rodeo 100-Year History 1888-1988, claims that Prescott, Arizona held the world’s first rodeo in 1888. We accept that. But, as will be shown, Payson held its first rodeo four years earlier in 1884.

Freeman states that “those early contests in Payson were some local cowboys competing in roping. They were not organized. The cowboys just came together and roped against each other”.

This is not the case. Local cowboys did compete in roping events – and they also competed in riding and racing events. Additionally, there was organization or the cowboys and spectators would not have known when and where to gather. Entry fees were taken and price money was paid.

We know from Charlie Chilson (March 1, 1968 Payson Round Up Article and 1972 Jayne Peace interview) that his father John C. Chilson, was not only a rodeo organizer along with Arizona Charlie Meadows, but both were also contestants in the first Payson Rodeo held in 1884 in the Midtown Pasture. Charlie was sure that the year was 1884. Additionally, Charlie Chilson told Jayne Peace that Charlie Meadows joined a Wild West show about 1890.

Dick Robbins (1900-1983), the son of John Robbins and Emma Cole Robins, was a top rodeo hand in the 1930s and 1940s. He traveled and roped, often with Lee Barkdoll. In a 1981 interview with Jayne Peace, Dick said that the Payson Rodeo started in 1884.

Maggie Solomon Journigan Miller, wife of Payson pioneer Julian Journigan and mother-in-law to Payson Rodeo Personalities, Lee Barkdoll and Dick Robbins, told Jayne Peace in an interview held on December 16, 1983: “Since my husband had to be gone so much I took a job cooking for Polly Brown at the old Sixteen-ToOne Saloon in Payson. That was in 1921, just a year or so before it burned to the ground. They were still having the rodeos in the street. There were still lots of the old cowboys around then. I remember Jess Chilson and Wash Gibson both said they were at the first Payson Rodeo. Jess said his mother had to take him because he was only a tiny baby, but his dad, Emer, was a contestant in that first one. Jess said he was born in 1884, so he knew that was the year the rodeos started in Payson

Rodeo Schedule

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THURSDAY - August 17, 2023 - WOMEN'S

Cactus Series Barrel Racing

Gates open @ 5 PM Performance @ 6 PM Admission (1) can of food

For more information and to enter for the Barrell Racing for Thursday night, please contact Nancy Jane 520-975-6325 or email at saltriverrodeocompany@gmail.com. Please do NOT contact Nancy for Friday and Saturday events. Thursday night is the only event that she is can answer questions on or to take sigh ups. Tickets can be purchased under the "ticket" tab or use the "Contact Us" tab to reach the Payson Pro Rodeo Committee!

Various food and merchandise vendors are available at the rodeo grounds. Adult beverages are available for purchase from the Payson Pro Rodeo Committee. Must be 21 years or older and comply with the Arizona Liquor Laws.

FRIDAY NIGHT - August 18, 2023 - PERFORMANCE

Tough Enough To Wear Pink - Wear your pink shirt to show your support for breast cancer awareness Gates open @ 5 PM Performance @ 7 PM Proceeds to benefit local breast cancer awareness programs

FRIDAY NIGHT - August 18, 2023 - BOOTS & BLING DANCE

Boots and Bling Dance featuring Western Fusion Starts after the last bull bucks! Free for rodeo attendee's!

$5.00 cover charge. Under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

SATURDAY DAY- August 19, 2023 - PERFORMANCE

Coca –Cola Family Day: Giveaways Family Day Pricing Gates open @ 11 AM Performance @ 1PM

SATURDAY NIGHT - August 19, 2023 - PERFORMANCE

Special Patriot Performance - Wear your red, white and blue to show your patriotism Gates open @ 5 PM Performance @ 7PM Active Military receive free admission for general admission seating. (Show ID)

SATURDAY NIGHT - August 19, 2023 - BOOTS & BLING

DANCE

Boots and Bling Dance featuring Western Fusion Starts after the last bull bucks! Free for rodeo attendee's

$5.00 Cover Charge if not attending the Rodeo

Must me 21 or over or accompanied by a parent/legal guardian

Richard del Mas

We are sad to announce that on July 2, 2023, Richard del Mas lost his 4-year courageous battle with cancer. Richard was born on August 11, 1946, and was a member of NCHA for over 30 years. Richard was also a proud member of PCCHA.

Richard continued to show his horse Coop up until a month before his death, winning 3rd place in the WOW Competition at Rancho Murieta, Ca. Richard will be missed by his wife Joanne del Mas and many of his friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

NCHA Announces Jessica Gryder as Marketing Manager

Gryder comes to NCHA with experience managing international communications. Gryder is also a recent graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, obtaining her Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design with a focus in photography.

“It has been a lifelong dream to work in the horse industry, and I am honored to be working with the best-of-the-best in the National Cutting Horse Association. The athleticism and intelligence that cutting horses display has always captured my attention and I cannot wait to combine my passion with my degree,” said Jessica Gryder.

Over the past few months, Gryder partnered with various ranches around the United States to obtain their history, photographs, and knowledge which she used in her thesis paper Chroma Cowboy. In 2022 Gryder attended study abroad in Florence, Italy with the Santa Reparta International School of Art where her artwork was displayed. In her spare time, Gryder likes to run with her dog, Kiwi, and swim.

“We are thrilled to bring someone into our marketing department with a diverse background who will continue to elevate our team,” said Jay Winborn, NCHA Executive Director.

To learn more about the National Cutting Horse Association, visit nchacutting.com.