Shonto Rodeo still seeing success after 54 years

SHONTO, Ariz.

In its earlier years the Shonto Rodeo was considered the destination-of-choice for many people.

Harry Brown Sr., started the annual event in 1960, and its heyday it used to lure in hundreds of people to its open show rodeo before things turned to the wayside.

“We’re not the biggest and were not the fanciest but we are persistent,” said Michael Brown, one of the event coordinators. “As long as the people keep coming back we’ll be here.”

During its peak days, Brown said their family operated event was accustomed to having heavy traffic in and around the arena. But in the last two decades those numbers have dropped somewhat.

“A lot of other rodeos have come and gone but this is a pretty good crowd for a Saturday,” said Brown, who emceed the event. “About 20, 30 years ago we had double and triple amount of people.”

Despite not seeing those earlier numbers, Brown said he’s starting to see a change as the number of contestants has increased in the last five years.

That uptick is a result of the family’s commitment in giving the men’s and women’s all-around winner a $1,000 paycheck.

“We used to give out trophy, buckles, jacket and saddles but money talks,” Brown said. “Those things are nice but they want cold hard cash.”

As a result, Brown said the cost of putting up the rodeo has increased to roughly $5,000 a year, which does not included the labor in running the two-day event.

“We do solicit donations but most of the money comes out our own pockets and that is what has made this event so successful in the last 54 years,” he said.

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