Yes, the bullfighters (as they are now called ) don't do it for the glory that is for sure. It is interesting to watch them work. There is a national bullfighters competition where they can win a gold buckle and a large bucket of cash. I think buckles can be won at specific regional bullfighter competitions, but none awarded for saving lives in the arena. Here is one that made the Cowboy Hall of Fame I had the pleasure of meeting and watching Rob on several occasions One member of the fearless Professional Bull Riders Dickies Durabullfighters team, Smets earned the nickname "Kamikaze Kid" early in his career for his skill and daring moves in the arena. Smets' enthusiastic demeanor and longevity, not to mention his selfless determination to deliver lifesaving exploits week in and week out for season upon season, will leave a lasting legacy in the industry. Born September 11, 1959 in Palo Alto, Calif., Smets was not exposed to rodeo or bullfighting until his sophomore year in high school. Despite injuries of the scope that would have ended most athletic careers, Smets captured five world championships. After suffering a break of the C-4-5-6 vertebra in 1992 Smets not only ignored physicians' advice to seek other employment, but earned his fifth world title in 1994. In 1996 tragedy struck once more when Smets fractured his C-1 vertebra. The blow would have sent most down for the count, but Smets returned with a vengeance, attending every PBR World Finals from 1997 to the present. Rob Smets epitomizes what it means to be a bullfighter. He will go down in history as one of the greatest bullfighters of all time and you can truly say that no other bullfighter in the world has generated as much press or been seen by as many people as Rob has.
I now how I come off. But, when talking to some, and NOT necessarily you, so don't take it personally, that say they know about rodeo and really don't, I can take it personally and get somewhat upset. Funny, Faye, but there are some, in this forum, that know that I can read with understanding and do understand what I read.
As far as Rodeo Clowns/Bull Fighters/Barrel Clowns go, Bobby, they do choose the occupation. No matter how dangerous it is, lack of recognition or whatever, they chose to do it. Same as Bull Riders. There are those that will question the "sensibility" of bull riding. Then again, if a person thought about it, there are occupations that don't get much-to-any recognition. Some very dangerous, and even very dirty jobs, that are done that nobody really thinks about.
It seems to me that you have to get the last word in on everything. Faye closed out in the other thread and you continue wherever you find her. I think it's time to take a deep breath
Don't you know, Al, many people do like "getting the last word in". Don't you sometimes? It can be just "human" to do that.
And, it definitely isn't "bullying". I was "bullied" in high school. I know what it is! Now, Al, back to rodeo postings.
Jeez, my dog’s bigger than your dog. In the grand scheme of things, Rodeo is a SPORT! If at any time I wanted to know more about the SPORT of rodeo I derned well wouldn’t find it here! How about ya’ll get it together. I don’t care two cents about how far ya’ll can spit. I want to learn about RODEO and not about ya’ll’s attitudes. What is there about the SPORT of rodeo that you like? Describe some of the events and what they entail. How much money is involved? If I wanted to go to a rodeo, what would I expect to see? If I wanted to be in a rodeo, how should I start? If I wanted my kids to be in a rodeo, how would they start? Are the entrants ever tested for performance enhancers? There’s a whole lot of interesting things that can be gleaned from this thread if it was only offered.
Ok, here goes, from my experience/knowledge: What do I like about rodeo? It is Western, with some contestant's families who do own/run a ranch. The previous Miss Rodeo America, Jordan Tierney, family has a ranch in South Dakota. Her mother was a previous Miss Rodeo South Dakota as was Jordan. Her father is a World Champion Calf Roper (now called Tie-Down) and is in the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame and also has a statue of him roping at calf there. I went to my first rodeo back in 1985 and was totally hooked on it. Was going to be a Saddle Bronc Rider, but wound up being a Team Roper/"header". IOW, Bobby, I like everything about the sport. How much money is involved? Paying: A yearly contestant/membership fee in PRCA. Earnings: To be in the Top 15, a rodeo cowboy has to go to all, and I mean "all" of the big paying rodeos in America. Big paying ones are: Cheyenne, Denver, Houston, Calgary (Canada), Reno, Ft. Worth and Pendelton. There are other PRCA rodeos (obviously), but the ones that pay the nice bucks are listed here and to stay or come up to the Top 15, contestants have to pretty much win each big rodeo. To help with traveling expenses, a contestant can obtain sponsors. But, obviously, a contestant has to be good at the event they do to get sponsors. For Top 15, or those wanting to be there and go to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, they have to rodeo full-time. IOW, on the road a lot either flying or driving. Rough Stock Rider's can fly, if money isn't an issue, whereas, most Timed-Event contestants have to pull a trailer with horses. In rodeo, if a contestant doesn't win money, or enough of it, a rodeo career can end. There are a certain amount of both rodeo cowboy and rodeo cowgirls that only compete part-time. Like I did and the guys I knew. What to except to see? Possibly a Grand Entry, which could include PRCA Sponsor Flag Carriers and most cowboys/cowgirls that are competing. Rough Stock Riders and Timed-Event contestants/events, Stock Contractor and their help and Contract Acts. Want to be in a rodeo? As a contestant: Decide which event you want to compete in. Buy the gear, and horse (if Timed Events). Go to a specific event school. For PRCA, fill out a Permit Form, have it notarized, send check/money order to PRCA Office for Permit. They will send you back a vehicle PRCA Parking sticker and Permit Card. Or, if you have some type of act, buy a Contract Act Card. There are a few other types of "permission" Cards that can be bought from PRCA also, to be in a rodeo. Once your Permit is filled (money earned at rodeos), you become eligible to buy a full-membership card. Only certain rodeos allow Permits, while all rodeos allow full-membership card holders. Kids? Many kids start their rodeo careers in Little Britches, then on to Junior, then High School, then Collegiate. After Collegiate, comes the Pro's aka PRCA. Performance Enhancers? For contestants and/or horses..........not that I've ever known. When I did it, no tests at all. But, never show up to compete at a rodeo drunk! A PRCA Judge will automatically disqualify you and PRCA can suspend your Permit or Card. Ok, Bobby, this is what I know. If someone else knows more, please, by all means, tell it.
Don't make too much of it. I was channeling my mom who, when someone complained, simply told everyone to stop it, whatever they may or may not have been doing.
If I were to Google or Bing “Rodeo”, that is precisely what I would think people would want to read. It’s nice to compare belt buckles and who knows who but the bottom line is that there are folks who have never been to a rodeo and / or know absolutely nada so all the time wasted beating on chests did nothing to support the sport. With the possible exception of gymnastics, there are far more facets to learn about the sport of rodeo than any other sport so it goes without too much ado that in order to support the sport one loves, one must provide something of interest that other folks can glean. Note: The reason I asked about performance enhancers is that in just about every sport, the jocks have to be tested. In the case of rodeo, I would think that if a rider who had a higher degree of endurance than at another time and a horse that bucked more than at another time, there would be possible grounds for testing. Don’t want cheaters on board now do we.
Bearing in mind that this is a seniors forum, I will direct my comments so they will be of interest to anyone curious about what a thread about Rodeo is doing on a seniors forum. I can't think many over 50 are looking to get into rodeo as a contestant or really interested in much details about it. Rather I think seniors are more interested in stories and reminiscing regardless of whether they are posted by a former contestant, bullfighter, stock worker, or fan. I think why we, now seniors, first got involved is of interest. I grew up on a cattle ranch and my family on both sides were involved in rodeo. It was just part of ranch living for me. Having time off to go to a rodeo was a treat and exciting. Since my family was part of the World's 1st Rodeo charging admission for fans and paying winning contestants, it was not a sport, but an exhibition of skills learned on the ranch. Most counties had once-a-year rodeos along with their fairs. It was a great time for friends, family, and neighbors to show off their produce, livestock, etc., and compete in roping skills, horse races, bronc riding, steer, and bull riding, and it grew from there. I loved rodeo and fair time because it was fun to get off the ranch and go compete and watch others compete. Especially as a teenager, the idea of going to the fair and rodeo was something I looked forward to. Later living on my own, I enjoyed competing and/or attending several rodeos in Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Texas, and Montana with a special treat being Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I had family in all those areas so I was always welcome and had a place to stay. They all had horses trained for every event, so no need for trailering a horse. I enjoyed doing rope tricks, reciting cowboy poetry and playing music as well as arena contest roping, buffalo hide racing, wild cow milking, and mounted shooting. I even did steer riding one rodeo. Once was enough! I was never a member of any sanctioned rodeo group. I saw no need and had no desire to live that lifestyle.
I do agree with you Faye that no one one this forum will go off and join a rodeo. A circus or carnival maybe, but not a rodeo. And yes, I really am more interested in rodeo yarns and “stuff” associated with the sport than getting on an unbroken mustang again. I’ve been to a couple of events but have mostly been an interested onlooker to stuff the real cowboys in Patagonia got into when they hit the bottle too much and wanted to pit their skills against each other to see who was the night’s king of the hill hence the term I’ve gotten used to using, “goat ropers”. But I guess that’s where it all began isn’t it? Cowboys blowing off steam to see who can best who by making what is real work into a sport. And, just as a matter of interest, this thread hasn’t made the number one spot on Google, there are nearly 3000 views with only about 170 replies so they didn’t all come from we oldsters on the forum. Could be a 50 year old, could be a 20 year old but it’s nice to know they’ll be able to get some information and enjoy some good reading.
The roots of modern rodeo and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association started in Prescott, Arizona. It was the first rodeo to charge admission and pay winning contestants. That was 1888. Some of my great uncles and aunts were not only contestants but part of the group that did all the work to make such happen. Understanding history helps us dispel stereotypes. That first paying rodeo was made up of real ranch cowboys and cowgirls of several races and cultures. The success of this first paying and highly organized rodeo caught on and evolved into rodeo today that has become more of a sport than ranch cowboys and cowgirls showing their skills. Some contestants go to training schools to learn whatever discipline appeals to them. With big money involved, many make a handsome living from rodeo. I know several that have made their entire living from rodeo and are now retired on ranches. Many today have never worked on a ranch and live on small acreages with their horses. My local rodeo (PRCA sanctioned) grounds were just across the street from me for years before they were moved further out of town due to the housing boom.