An incident before the Utah Day of 47’ Rodeo event raised safety concerns. Yesterday, the CEO of the event, Dan Shaw, while horseback riding, suffered from heat-related medical issues and was admitted to the hospital. Post this, organizers have decided to take extra measures to be safer at the Rodeo Event 2023.

The Utah Days of ‘47 Rodeo 2023 edition is the eighth annual competition held for Gold, silver, and Bronze medals the winning cowboys and cowgirls will also be given $2 million as prize money. This year’s Rodeo will begin today, July 19, and will run till July 22, with one final event on July 24. After Dan Shaw’s heat-related medical issue, this event will be held with more precautions.

Rodeo Event CEO hospitalized due to Utah heat

On Tuesday morning, the CEO of the event, Dan Shaw, arrived at the arena with Utah Governor Spencer Cox on a horseback ride. And while riding his horse, Shaw suffered from heat-related issues. The other riders who saw Shaw slumped on his horse took him off the horse and tried to cool him down. Dan Shaw, who was to appear for a press conference for the upcoming Utah Days of the 47 Rodeo, was then immediately taken for medical treatment. The Utah Rodeo’s executive director, Tommy Joe Lucia, while updating on Shaw’s condition in an interview with KSL, stated that “he got a little overheated. He’s perfectly fine”. Further, the director also revealed that Shaw is currently hospitalized.

After this situation, the event organizers decided to be more careful during the event. As the forecast has predicted, the heat will only increase this weekend. According to a meteorologist, due to a high-pressure system passing through Utah this weekend, the state might face a record-breaking high temperature. Amid these forecasts, Lucia revealed that the organizers are taking steps to deal with the upcoming heat. The staff, animals, and athletes will be provided with extra precautions as well.

Steps were taken to deal with the high heat

While discussing the precautions taken amid the forecast, Lucia revealed to the media that organizations are taking care of both staff and Animals. As the Rodeo staff have stopped working in the afternoon when the temperature is high. The staff is only available in the early mornings and late evenings. The organizers also ensure that the workforce is drinking enough water and staying cool in the heat. Furthermore, while discussing the animals, the director mentioned that the animals are given electrolytes to keep them hydrated until the organizers find more shade areas for them.

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Besides Lucia, Governor Spencer Cox has also advised the city people to take some safeguards. Everyone attending such activities, according to Spencer Cox, should stay in the shadows, wear enough sunscreen, and keep themselves hydrated. Hopefully, by following all such steps the event will run smoothly with no overheating or dehydration issues.

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