Martin Kerby 2006 Ramada Award article (requires adobe reader)
Download Adobe Reader >HERE<
BAR T RODEO INC TODAY
Today the Bar T Rodeo Co is owned and operated by Bud and Evelyn Kerby.
Just over 15 years ago Bud and his wife purchased the Rodeo Company from his parents D. A. Swanny and Verda Kerby who has furnished quality stock since 1959 at the WNFR.
Bud grew up as a rodeo man. From an early age he has been taking care of the livestock and sharing the love of the animals.
Bud competed in the sport as a Saddle Bronc Rider and Worked as a Pick up man for many years. Bud was one of the best during his years as a pick up man.
Bud has been behind the scenes taking care of the business for 30 plus years. He decided to start raising the company’s bucking horses. He purchased a roan stud C4 Roany and put him with some of the best mares the company owned. Since 1983 Bud has taken many raised bucking horses to the NFR. Bud and his Dad Swanny were buddies, best friends they worked side by side building up the Bar t to what it is today. Today the Bar T Rodeo Inc owns over 200 head of horses all raised on the ranch out of the lineage of Roany.
The Bar T Still today is taking stock to the NFR in Las Vegas and has been one of the top 10 stock contractors in the world.
Bar T Rodeo Stock was at the first Olympic Rodeo which was held in 2002.
The Bar T is currently raising its own bucking bulls out of a bull named R8 Kish (Roddy Brown) who was a 4 time WNFR Bull and is a direct decedent of the original Oscar Bull.
Bud and Evelyn along with Jeff and Wendie Flitton Daughter and Son Inlaw family and friends put on over 46 performances a year. They lease stock to many of the large rodeo’s such as the Denver stock show, San Antonio, Houston, Laughlin, Nampa, and Ogden to name a few.
Four Generations have devoted their lives to the Dream a Man from Moab started many years ago in the red rocks and deserts of Utah.
Bud & Evelyn Kerby
Jeff and Wendie Flitton
Martin and Lori Pierce & Girls
Cody and Linda Flitton
Kellie Francis
 |
 |
NFR Saddle Bronc and Sire to many Colts Red Robin |
NFR Saddle Bronc Mare Millers Wheel |
BarTRodeo Schedule 2010JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER |
2008 Wrangler National Finals Nominated Stock |
Bareback Horses |
4W5 Pocaohantos |
B14 Oakey Robin |
3+10 Son of Sadie |
Saddle Bronc Horses |
J8 Eight Ball-2008 Wilderness Circuit Horse Year |
51+ Fire Fly |
015+ Red Ears |
34+ Round Robin |
Bulls |
202 Big Dipper |
406 Austin |
421 Iron Clad-2008 Wilderness Circuit Bull Year |
416 Butch |
D.A. Swanny's Story
D A Swanny Kerby was raised in Moab Utah and Graduated from Grand County High School in 1935. He met and married his Wife, Verda while working for her father on the Burdick Ranch in Valley City on the desert near Moab.
Cowboy life triggered Swanny’s life time dream of having his own Wild West show, and sharing the old west with the future generations. On his own ranch in Moab, he ran cattle and traded horses. In 1945, he constructed a rodeo arena on his property. Swanny traveled to the deep southwest to bring back the first Brahma Bulls to Utah. He ran cattle on BLM Permits down along the Colorado River. He trailed cattle along the Shaffer trail and down off of Dead Horse Point. He helped gather wild horses all over the deserts of Moab. Swanny would trail his livestock 50 miles to Monticello, Utah to put on a rodeo. He would trail his livestock to the rail stations and load the stock on trains to go produce a rodeo. He joined the first Professional Rodeo association known as the turtles and took stock to the first national event in 1959. Swanny’s stock has been to every National event since, which is now held in Las Vegas NV and known as the NFR.
In 1954 Swanny and Verda moved their 3 children to Salt Lake City where they purchased a small ranch off 3300 south and 9th west.
For 40 years Swanny his wife Verda lived in SLC and with the help of their Son Bud Kerby built a Professional rodeo company that is known through out the US.
Swanny was a true, cowboy pioneer.” He believed that with love of family, friends and his animals anything was possible. No dream was too big, if you were willing to work hard and not give up. Swanny and Verda made many friends in the Rodeo Industry. Too many Swanny was a hero a real cowboy. He would ride in on his Yellow Palomino with his one of a kind wave, and a smile that will be remembered for many years to come.
In 1997, he was one on only two men from the state of Utah, to be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Cowboy hall of Fame. In 1999, his hometown Moab Utah gave him, what he often referred to, as his greatest honor, as they re-named the local city park, “Swanny City Park.” The Seven Acre park is part of his original ranch which once housed his famous bulls and horses. Swanny through out his career has done many rodeos through out the west such as Days of 47, Preston Id, Oakley Utah, Strawberry Days, to name a few. Many of these rodeos have become some of the largest in the industry.
D A Swanny Kerby passed away December 15, 2005. He is a part of the old west, a true original, and the likes of whom we will never see again. He was a family man and is loved and missed greatly by all he left behind. Today the Bar T Rodeo is owned and operated by Swanny's Son and best friend Bud Kerby and his Wife Evelyn.
