Rodeo: The Original Extreme Sport returns to the fair

  • By Teri Stein
  • September 21, 2013
  • 611
                        
Summary: Back by popular demand, the Mid States Sanctioned Rodeo makes the Tuscarawas County Fair a little more extreme. After an absence of several years Rodeo returned to the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds on Tuesday evening much to the delight of everyone in the grandstand. Rodeo is unlike any other sporting event. After the National Anthem and a prayer for everyone serving in our armed forces and for the safety of the cowboys themselves, the event started with a grand entrance where all the participants enter the arena on horseback for a parade of sorts. Watching a rodeo is one of those events that make you proud to be an American. “I love the atmosphere and my granddaughter is in barrel racing,” said Carmalita Smile of Martinsville, Indiana. The family traveled 5 hours to participate in the rodeo. “There’s too much bad stuff in the world and this is something that brings happiness.” Smile’s granddaughter, Jessica Whitney, 20, as of the fair was in 6th place in the barrel racing standings in the Mid States Sanctioned Rodeos as of Tuesday evening. The first event of the evening was saddle bronc riding in which the horse seems favored to win because the cowboys can only use one hand to hang onto the horse. One unfortunate young man limped out of the arena after the saddle bronc he was riding had a collision with a pick up man who was also on horseback but the cowboy wasn’t concerned and he quickly recovered. “It’s a pre-existing injury,” said Zach King, 20, of Caldwell. “This is just a little rough on the body.” King grew up with watching and participating in rodeos. “I got into saddle bronc riding because it was the traditional sport of the rodeo,” he said. As of Tuesday night’s competition King was 5th in the standings in Saddle Bronc Riding in both the Mid States and American Pro Rodeo Associations. The reason why someone might participate in such a tough sport? “Young and dumb,” replied King, “But you can’t call me dumb ‘cause I’m doing what I love.” Apparently everyone involved in rodeo is doing it out of love. Participants must pay to enter a rodeo competition and they only get one try at each event they enter. Calf Roping is one of the faster sports where every second counts. Once the calf is released the cowboy must rope and tie it quickly, if the cowboy’s lasso misses, he gets nothing. When that happens the announcer likes to make sure they get a little respect. “Ladies and Gentlemen, he paid an entry fee – help me out,” Rodeo Announcer Aaron Platt said as he urged the crowd to show their appreciation for a calf roper who missed the mark and the sacrifices made by each Cowgirl and Cowboy to keep the sport alive. The other events included Bareback bronc riding, team roping, and bull riding. “They do a great job,” said Smile of the participants. “The crowd seems to get involved – they’re very loud and that’s what they like to hear.”


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