New Spanish Fork Rodeo director taking the reins after Steve Money’s retirement
Nick Hanks poses for a portrait at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds on Friday, June 2, 2017. Hanks will be taking the reins after Steve Money's retirement last year. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
Landon Andrews works to prepare the grounds for the Champions Challenge Rodeo at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds on Friday, June 2, 2017. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
Landon Andrews works to prepare the grounds for the Champions Challenge Rodeo at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds on Friday, June 2, 2017. Sammy Jo Hester, Daily Herald
Contrary to the old saying, this is Nick Hanks’ first rodeo, at least the first one he’s running.
“It’ll be fun. There’s a lot that goes into it, a lot more than I ever would have thought,” Hanks said. “Every detail is accounted for and thought of beforehand.”
After taking the helm of the Spanish Fork Rodeo for more than 30 years, Steve Money, aptly nicknamed “Mr. Rodeo,” retired last September, passing the reins on to Hanks. And though Money left some pretty big boots to fill, Hanks is excited to take the bull by the horns and run a world-class rodeo.
Rodeo is in Hanks’ blood. His parents met at Brigham Young University and competed on the university’s rodeo team. They raised Hanks to compete in rodeo, and after 25 years bustin’ broncs and roping cattle, Hanks has now passed the tradition on to his children.
“It’s definitely a family affair,” he said.
With that love of rodeo, Spanish Fork hired him on to head up the rodeo with Money playing a supervisory role.
“It’s not completely my baby yet. But with his tutelage, I’m doing my best,” Hanks said. “Steve was smart enough to surround himself with really smart people. And most of them are staying on, so that relieves a lot of pressure and stress.”
Hanks has been busting his back with Money to pull together and coordinate this weekend’s rodeo, the 2017 Wrangler Champions Challenge Rodeo. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event features some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world, roping, racing and wrangling to compete for top spots in the world standings.
This is the last leg of the champions challenge before the finals in September in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“This rodeo is the best of the best, including the stock. All the stock is hand-picked,” Hanks said.
Once this weekend’s rodeo is finished and the calves have been roped, Hanks is prepping for the Fiesta Days Rodeo in July. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Fiesta Days Rodeo and Hanks and crew are pulling out all the stops with firework shows, an ATV giveaway and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
Tickets are available for purchase on Spanish Fork’s city website. The rodeo starts at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds arena.
