LAS VEGAS, NV – Opening night at the 2024 PRCA Awards saw the spotlight shining on one of the most historic rodeos in the country and also on one of the most honored rodeos in the world of professional arena action – both that call South Dakota home.
Sutton Rodeos’ Rodeo Rapid City was named the 2024 PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). This prestigious recognition highlights the extraordinary effort and vision of Sutton Rodeos in creating an unparalleled rodeo experience.
Winning this award is no small feat, and Rodeo Rapid City’s multiple victories over the years are a testament to the enduring excellence and commitment of the Sutton family. Since 1977, Rodeo Rapid City has consistently set the standard for large indoor rodeo events, offering fans and competitors a unique and memorable experience year after year.
Rodeo Rapid City is produced by Sutton Rodeo, a sixth-generation rodeo company based in Onida, SD. Founded in 1926, Sutton Rodeo is celebrated for its award-winning events and livestock, including PRCA Bucking Stock of the Year honors and numerous National Finals Rodeo (NFR) appearances.
In a Facebook post, the Rodeo Rapid City team characterized the most recent honor as a group achievement.
“We are so blessed to work with this star-studded group,” the post read. “Thank you to our entire crew, contractors, personnel, contestants, sponsors and fans for making Rodeo Rapid City possible. This win is for all of you!”
Craig Baltzer, Executive Director of The Monument, the host location of the rodeo in Rapid City, shared, “Winning the PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year just once is an incredible achievement. To do it multiple times underscores the dedication and passion the Sutton family brings to this event. Rodeo Rapid City has set the standard in the rodeo world and is a key part of Rapid City’s cultural fabric.”
Televised nationwide and nominated 23 times as the Top Five Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year, with four title wins including the 2023 performance and back-to-back wins in 2020 and 2021, Rodeo Rapid City has become an important stop on the road to the National Finals Rodeo. This is an opportunity to see a world class professional rodeo in a facility designed for a great fan experience.
Rodeo Rapid City is back in the Summit Arena at The Monument hosting the 2025 Rodeo Rapid City event January 31-February 8, 2024. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.themonument.live/rodeorapidcity
The PRCA Awards Night continued with the Black Hills Roundup (held annually in Belle Fourche, S.D.,) named the 2024 PRCA Medium Rodeo of The Year. The venerable event was also presented with the Remuda Award earlier this fall.
Remuda Awards are given each year to the stock contracting firm and rodeo committee who provide the best, most consistent pen of bucking horses. The award is a nod to the athleticism of the animals and their innate bucking ability, but also to the opportunity they create for contestants to score and perform well.
The Black Hills Roundup received the award for their pen of bucking horses assembled by five stock contractors, with Championship Pro Rodeo, Hammon, OK, serving as the primary stock contractor. Fettig Pro Rodeo, Killdeer, N.D., Cowtown Rodeo, Inc., Pilesgrove, NJ, Harper & Morgan Rodeo Company, Iowa, LA, and Burch Rodeo Company, Rozet, WY, all served as sub-contractors.
“I am so proud of the Black Hills Roundup (BHR) for winning the Remuda of the Year award,” shared Scott Reder, BHR board member. “I’ve been on the board for 20 plus years, and this is the first time we have achieved this goal. We could not have done it without partner stock contractors, BHR board members, committee members and support from the city of Belle Fourche.
He added, “This means a lot to us since the cowboys vote for the Remuda award. We strive to have the best stock we can so each and every contestant has a chance to win.”
The Black Hills Roundup also received the third-place Justin Best Footing Award for improvements made to the rodeo grounds. Among the extensive upgrades was installing a new drain tile in the arena, laser leveling of the entire arena, and rock pickers to clean the soil.
At last night’s star-studded event, the Black Hills Roundup was also named PRCA’s Medium Outdoor Rodeo of the Year. Members of the Roundup committee were on hand in Las Vegas to receive the award. The BHR is one of the oldest, continuously held outdoor rodeos in America. The Belle Fourche Rodeo has won the award five times.
The Black Hills Roundup will host its 106th edition from July 1-5, 2025, in Belle Fourche.
