08/28/2025
Stetson Wright and Carlee Otero Named Utah’s Pioneer Week Top Hands for 2025 - Courtesy of Ann Bleiker
SALT LAKE CITY (August 26, 2025) – A month ago Utah’s Pioneer Week wrapped up with the conclusion of rodeos in Ogden, Salt Lake City and Spanish Fork. In 2023, the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo spearheaded this initiative to feature these three rodeos within 150-mile radius of each other offering a two-million-dollar week for professional rodeo athletes. They then collaborated with the State of Utah to recognize Utah’s Pioneer Week Top Hands by offering a $15,000 bonus for the top earning male and female athlete across these Utah rodeos.
The 2025 Utah Pioneer Week Top Hands are Stetson Wright and Carlee Otero. Wright competing in saddle bronc riding and bull riding won the all-around title at both Ogden and Spanish Fork where the bulk of his $48,000 was won at these three rodeos. He cashed in every time he nodded his head at these three rodeos during Pioneer Week the third week of July.
It was a good week for the Otero family as well. WPRA barrel racer Carlee finished atop the medal stand in Salt Lake City to win over $19,450 and added over $9,000 in Ogden bringing her weekly total to just over $28,500. She led all WPRA members in money won at those three events. Her husband, Michael, also added nearly $15,000 to the family’s bank account after a silver medal showing in tie-down roping in Salt Lake City.
Stetson Wright and Carlee Otero will be officially honored and presented with their bonus during the Governor State of Sport Banquet at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City in April of 2026.
The State of Utah celebrates Pioneer Week the third week of July with the culmination of the celebration being July 24, marking the day when Brigham Young and a determined company of Mormon pioneers realized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Valley. Rodeo has long played a part during this celebration with the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo and the Ogden Pioneer Days all being contested during this time.
“Utah has always supported the Western lifestyle that harkens back to the pioneer heritage and history,” stated Tommy Joe Lucia, Executive Director of Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo. “We are honored to continue to keep this front and center in today’s society in collaboration with our fellow Pioneer Week rodeos. To be able to recognize these rodeo athletes alongside Olympic and professional athletes is a true honor.”
Former winners include WPRA barrel racers Jordon Briggs (2023) and Kassie Mowry (2024) along with PRCA team ropers Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp (2023) and tie-down roper Marty Yates (2024).
Created in 2012, the Governor’s State of Sport Awards celebrates Utah’s sports industry and honors excellence in high school, collegiate, adaptive, professional, Olympic and Paralympic sports. The Utah Sports Commission is the proud host of the Governor’s State of Sport Awards which has honored Utah’s finest athletes, teams, coaches, events, and numerous Utah sports icons.
Utah is known as the State of Sport — and for good reason! Through the years of appreciation for adventure, Utah has carved out a distinct reputation as the premier sport destination for Olympic, professional, amateur and action sporting events. By leveraging their world-class venues and awe-inspiring backdrops, Utah also has an established reputation as a top international sports destination. In July of 2024, they were officially awarded the 2034 Olympic Winter Games marking the second time Salt Lake City has been chosen to welcome the world for the Olympic Games.
Carlee Otero - photo by Ric Andersen courtesy Utah Days of '47 Rodeo
