So then, some PRCA-sanctioned rodeos did allow non-member permit holders. I know for a fact that we transported 14-15-year-olds from PRCA rodeos, but I don't know whether they were PRCA members or not.
Ken, bull riding is done in Junior, High School, Collegiate and, of course, the pros. Little Britches may ride small bulls, but really small kids ride sheep (Mutton Busting).
Cody, I am talking about PRCA rodeos. If any of the schools had rodeo events, and I doubt they did, we were not stationed there, although we did cover football games.
From what I know, today, and from years ago, at a PRCA sanctioned rodeo, only members of PRCA can participate in events. The age bracket you just stated is Junior Rodeo that goes into High School Rodeo.
Then there must have been 25-year-old men in high school because we transported men from the same events, and again, these were PRCA rodeos. As a paramedic, I didn't know or care whether the kids were PRCA members or not, but they were PRCA rodeos and they were competing.
Heck, if a young person is in High School rodeo, they can get a rodeo scholarship to go to college. But, they have to do rodeo with the college they go to.
Perhaps it wasn't a contestant you transported. Perhaps it was someone else helping in the arena, like stock contractor people. All I know is that a 25 year old would be in PRCA and either a Permit Holder or a Card Holder.
Cody, for God's sake, this isn't the first time this has come up. We were stationed at the rodeo, watching the events. I watched him come out of the gate on the bull, I watched him get thrown, and then attacked by the bull. We were ready to go onto the arena before we were called because it was clear that he was hurt. We transported a few people sixteen and under from bull-riding events, and PRCA rodeos were the only ones we were stationed at. If you're saying otherwise, then you are wrong.
Ok, Ken, but this was way before the Justin Medicine Program started. They have full medical services now, but if a contestant needs to go to the hospital, EMS will be there to take them. And, when you done this, just how many years ago was it? Numerous things have changed since those days when you were a Paramedic and I was doing rodeo on weekends. Young kids bull (small bull) riding can be a part of a PRCA rodeo, but only as an exhibition, not for money. I've seen that before.
I am guessing that numerous things have changed since you were a rodeo contestant too, Cody. There were doctors on hand then too, none of which negates the fact that 14, 15, and 16-year-olds were competing against those in their 20s in the bull riding events in a PRCA rodeo. This may not be the case now, but it was then. In other words, Cody, you're wrong. Admit it.
IOW, rodeo has become big-business today with a whole lot of money. Ft. Worth just ended theirs and the total purse was 1.3 million dollars. Big/major sponsors and big money. Some don't like it that rodeo has become that big, while those that make a living of it, love it.
Basically, the Justin Sports Medicine Program started in 1980 and was completely sponsored, and still is, by the Justine Boot Company. The Program has really grown since 1980, with far more contestants getting hurt than back in those years. Here, in part, is their story: From its modest beginnings at some 10 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeos and just 775 contestants treated that first year, the Justin Sportsmedicine Team® currently provides service to over 125 PRCA rodeos annually while treating some 6,000 cases. Services are provided at a permanent facility in Mesquite, Texas, out of stocked medical kits for indoor arenas, as well as from three fully-equipped mobile centers which service outdoor events. The Justin Sportsmedicine Team® also provides medical services at some ten PRCA Xtreme Bulls events annually. Upon the retirement of the program’s founders in 2010, The Justin Sportsmedicine Team® came under the leadership of new Executive Director, Mike Rich, and Medical Director, Dr. Tandy Freeman. Among the most recent additions to the program include three brand new mobile medicine centers, four laptop computers, and injury-tracking computer software to better service the needs of the traveling rodeo competitor.
I was no longer roping then (2000), but I kept my yearly PRCA membership and helped different Stock Contractors in arenas in So. California. In March of 2000 was when I met my wife and I took her to a lot, and I do mean "a lot" of PRCA rodeos in So. California. Also went to the NFR in Vegas a number of times. Today, we are still going strong as PRCA rodeo fans.
I checked on the two small-town rodeos I aforementioned and discovered they haven't been PRCA for years. I asked a friend here that has been involved in rodeo for his entire life and he said that PRCA many years ago required a sanctioned rodeo to not be advertised or combined with another rodeo event in the same arena. during the time period promised to the PRCA. The minimum age was set to 18. Many Jr. Rodeos are scheduled on another weekend instead of earlier during the day due to this change. They stated that if locals wanted to participate in their local rodeo during this time, they must obtain a PRCA permit and abide by all PRCA rules including those applying to sponsorships. In essence, the PRCA is a union and if you want to participate in their sanctioned rodeo you must join the union. Since the PRCA dominates nearly all pro rodeo except PBR bull riding, this caused a lot of bad feelings for small-town and ranch folks that didn't care to be forced to join a union and play by their rules just to participate in their local rodeo. There were some, of course, that loved the idea that they could earn PRCA points and buckles in their home area.