The Utah SkyTrials began in 1975 as the brain child of Gerald Richards. Gerald invited some of the best falconers in the west to showcase their falcons at the end of the hunting season. It was called a “pigeon derby” back then. Gerald was a master at flying falcons, but he was also passionate about racing homing pigeons. He knew that his racing homers dodged and outflew wild falcons everyday they raced. He knew that millions of years of evolution resulted in a worthy match between falcons and racing pigeons. The Utah Sky Trials allows spectators to witness what occurs in nature everyday up close and personal.

Decades later, the tradition continues here in Utah, even as Sky Trials are now held throughout the world. Gerald passed away in 1994, but his friends extend his legacy by holding and supporting this event.