Awards & Recognition

WE’VE EARNED SOME HARDWARE IN THE LAST 140+ YEARS. 

Mandan Rodeo Days takes home multiple 2023 WPRA Justin Best Footing Awards at PRCA National Convention

Mandan Rodeo committee members Dan Shoenert, Jen Grove, Jay Bauer, and chairwoman Heather Jacobson-Bauer accept the WPRA Justin Best Footing Award at the 2023 PRCA National Convention in Las Vegas, NV on Wednesday, December 7, 2023. (photo by Jackie Jensen Photography)

Mandan Rodeo Days was named Women’s Pro Rodeo Association (WPRA) Justin Best Footing Award Winner in the Badlands Circuit, Most Improved, and overall national recipient for their footing during the 2023 Mandan Rodeo Days. 2023 marked the 144th Mandan Rodeo and the first at a new, permanent facility — Dale Pahlke Arena at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Rodeo Grounds.

Mandan Rodeo Days wins 2018 WPRA Ground of the Year & 2018 Medium Sized Rodeo of the Year

Mandan Rodeo Days wins 2016 Badlands Circuit Rodeo Committee of the Year

Former Mandan Rodeo committee chairman Bruce Schirado shows off the 2016 Badlands Circuit Rodeo of the Year award.

Mandan Rodeo Days was named Badlands Circuit Rodeo Committee of the Year for 2016. Only one PRCA rodeo in North or South Dakota wins the award.

“We are proud that the members of the Badlands Circuit recognized the hard work our many committee volunteers spend to produce Mandan Rodeo Days,” said former committee president Bruce Schirado.

“We’re honored to receive an award that has previously been won by rodeos like the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo in Rapid City,” he added.

The award is presented annually at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in Minot in October.

American Cowboy Magazine Names Mandan Rodeo One of 101 Great Western Events

Mandan Rodeo Days were named one of  “101 Great Western Events” by American Cowboy magazine. The western lifestyle magazine, whose readership tops 650,000, has been focusing on the American cowboy for 20 years. The 101 events were featured in the magazine’s February/March 2016 issue.

“We choose events that we believe best celebrate the authentic West—its people, its values, and its traditions,” said associate editor Lauren Feldman.

Some of the most historic and prestigious rodeos in the west are included in the list including the Pendleton Roundup in Oregon, Denver’s National Western Stock Show, Canada’s Calgary Stampede and Wyoming’s Cheyenne Frontier Days.

The magazine also honored other western events such as the Gathering of Nations Powwow in New Mexico, Montana’s Miles City Bucking Horse Sale and the National Cowboy Museum’s Prix de West Awards.

“We’re excited that Mandan Rodeo Days was selected for this honor,” said rodeo chairman Bruce Shirado. “This type of national recognition is only possible because of the hard work of our many volunteer committee members, our sponsors and our loyal fans.”

Other North Dakota events receiving the honor include the Badlands Cowboy Mounted Shooting in Medora, the Home on the Range Champions Ride Match in Sentinel Butte and the United Tribes Technical College International Powwow in Bismarck. 

Mandan Rodeo Days Celebration Honored as 2014 Governor’s Travel & Tourism Event of the Year

Al Anderson of the North Dakota Department of Commerce (center) presents the 2014 Governor's Travel & Tourism Event of the Year to past president of the Mandan Rodeo Committee Neil Ness (left) and current president Bruce Schirado (right).

In April 2014, the Mandan Rodeo Days Celebration was named the Governor’s Travel & Tourism Event of the Year.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors, and committee members who make this Fourth of July tradition possible.

Mandan Rodeo Wins WPRA Best Footing Award – 3rd Place

Every year, the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association membership recognizes rodeo committees that put forth an extra effort to ensure their rodeo has the safest and most consistent ground possible for barrel racing.

The Mandan Rodeo received the 2012 Justin Best Footing third-place award for the Badlands Circuit.