RODEO NEWS

Otero and Fanning Capture Gold in Salt Lake City

By Ann Bleiker

Barrel racer Carlee Otero can breathe a little easier after collecting the gold medal at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City on Saturday, July 26. It wasn’t so much the gold that made her breath easier but the $18,000 paycheck that came with that medal as she was needing it to solidify her spot in the top 15 as we head into the final months of the 2025 season.

“I am so excited…what a blessing,” stated the Perrin, Texas, cowgirl following her big win. “This win nearly guarantees a trip back to the NFR this year and solidifies my goal.”

To advance to the gold medal round, Otero set a new arena record with a time of 16.70 and added another $1,495. Kassie Mowry, who won the gold in 2024, had the record aboard Jarvis with a 16.71. Mowry also advanced to the finals this year but a downed barrel cost her a return to the medal stand.

“I was shaking, that was more nerve wracking than the NFR,” stated Otero about standing atop the medal stand in Salt Lake City. “The whole week has just been a blessing. God has really guided me this year. I have stayed real faithful to him. Sly got hurt out of our hands and we didn’t know what was going to happen this year, so I am just so blessed to be out here. I rodeo…it is my passion, and I don’t want to ever leave.”

A year ago, breakaway roper Rickie Fanning stood on the medal stand in the silver medal position but in 2025 she moved up to the gold medal position with a time of 2.3 seconds.

“It is great anytime you can get here and be in this final round,” stated Fanning following her big win. “Being able to capitalize and get the win this year was amazing.”

Fanning of Martin, SD., was the last gunner out and knew what she needed to have to earn gold. She went out, did her job and now she is a gold medalist at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo. Taking the silver was Ryland Lufkin with a 3.1 and the bronze went to Carly Christian with a 3.9.

“I wanted to stay true to my plan coming in and my dad just said before I backed in to stay true to your plan, stick to your start and go do your job, so I did,” noted Fanning. “This win helped a lot as I needed a little spark, and I think this will help with that.”

Fanning was ranked 25th in the world prior to Salt Lake but after winning $18,000 for the gold and $1,389 in the preliminary rounds in Salt Lake, she will draw closer to that top 15 spot where she wants to be by seasons end.

(719) 447-4627
(719) 447-4631 (fax)