Rodeo 101

• First, we’re glad to have you and this lifestyle is full of great people who are willing to help.
• Don’t be shy, dive right in! The more you get involved, the quicker you’ll get adapted and learn.
• Ask questions. The information you find can sometimes be overwhelming, so be prepared to take notes. If you don’t get an answer from one person, ask the next!
• Start with solid, been there-done-that kind of horses. 
• Find a coach or lessons ASAP. Even if you feel like you know what you’re doing, you’re children will listen better to someone else.
• Stay open to advice and constructive criticism. When people offer it, it’s because they care enough to want to see you succeed. Smile, processes it, say thank you and then choose what to do with it.
• How you navigate this is setting an example for your circle. Jumping into this scene can be uncomfortable, but by jumping in, staying hooked and making it happen in all ways, you are setting a strong example.
• Always appreciate the personnel and people who help. The gate helpers, sorters, pick up men, bull fighters, secretaries, times, sponsors, judges, etc. Anyone you see contributing, teach your children to appreciate them.
• No matter if you’re just getting started or you’ve been in it for a while, keep it fun. Make sure everyone knows that you are your own competition and we’re striving for little victories each run that lead to the big victories in God’s timing.
• You’re going to have to go to the school of hard knocks a little. People will help, but there’s no cookie cutter approach.
• It’s not a money contest, even though it may look like it from the outside looking in. Do what you can with what you have. “It’s not what you pull up in or with, it’s what you take home with you.”
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• We recommend starting by attending to a few events to spectate first. Go to a professional rodeo or well-produced amateur rodeo in your area. This will give you an idea of what you’re striving for. 
• Then go to something at the level of which you’ll be competing. Look for high school rodeos, youth rodeos, fun shows, horse shows etc. You can search Facebook or Google. Research your local extension office and ask them. 
• Become an investigator! Check out what means to be a competitor, parent, coach, supporter, etc.
• Show up early. During a production, many times the “behind the scenes” are pretty well locked down for competitors and personnel only, but if you get there early enough, you can find someone who looks like they know what they’re doing, tell them you’re new and want to get involved. They’ll be happy to show you around!
  • If you can’t get behind the chutes, do your best to get somewhere that you can watch what the competitors are doing. 
    • Where are they going – paying their fees with the rodeo secretary, checking the draw, ground conditions, etc.
    • What are they doing to prepare – saddling their horses, watering, feeding, getting dressed, tacking up, talking, etc.
    • Check out the equipment they use, if you aren’t sure ask. 
    • Use your camera to take pictures of things you don’t know about so you can ask someone later.
    • How are they talking to each other and the personnel?
    • If it’s a youth event, what are the parents doing?
• Talk to other spectators and ask anyone who looks like they might know something the questions you have. The more questions you ask, the more you’ll learn, the better you’ll be prepared.

• Be prepared to travel! There are events in all parts of the country for all levels, but they aren’t always close. You might find one five miles from home one week and 200+ miles the next. Depending on the how deep you want to get involved and where you are located will make a difference. Many nationwide associations have local/district levels that you can compile points in that allow you to qualify for local, district, state and national shows.
• There are private facilities and local organizations like saddle clubs, 4H clubs and different facilities that have their own events. 
• Embrace it the travel and make the opportunity about more than just rodeo. By just getting a few miles off the beaten path and spending a little more time, you can find some of the most amazing things! Prepare beforehand to visit local parks, restaurants and attractions on the route.
• YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO EVERYWHERE! We love competing and all the things that come with it, but it’s okay if you can only make a few the first year. Be open with your kids about where you will go at first. You can always make adjustments. 

• It’s no secret, it’s not cheap and you probably won’t come out ahead when you compare dollars-to-dollars. BUT nothing will compare to the memories, lessons and opportunities the whole family will gain from getting involved. Expenses depend on the level you want to compete at. You can spend $500-$500,000 easily in this world.
• A few expenses to be prepared for:
  • Time – your time is valuable, and you will spend a lot of time on the road, at events and in the practice pen when you commit
  • Fuel
  • Entry fees – entry fees including additional livestock (calves, steers, goats, etc. will include a stock charge. Therefore, those fees will be a little higher)
  • Membership fees
  • Lessons & clinics
  • Horses & practice livestock
  • Feed, maintenance, care, facilities, etc.
  • Practice equipment – dummies, spur boards, ropes, strings, etc.
  • Western attire – cowboy boots, cowboy hat, long sleeve collared shirts, denim jeans
  • Gear –
    • Roughstock gear: saddles, bull ropes, cinches, vests, helmets, rosin, tape, special riding boots, spurs
    • Timed events- saddles, bits, headstalls, breast collars, protective leg gear, cinches, ropes, gloves strings, rosin, baby powder, rope bags, rope cans, practice cones, pop-up barrels, poles, etc.
  • Good insurance – let’s just say it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
  • Trucks, trailers, tens, campers, vans – So many of the memories and relationships are built outside of the arena over long weekends. If you want the full experience, be prepared to find a way to stay overnight with everyone else.
    • With that comes with generators or electric hook ups, camping spots and stalls for your horses in places they won’t let you tie out
  • Overnight camping supplies, food, drinks, etc.

times it’s listed, sometimes it’s not.

1. Find someone in your area who is involved. 
2. Post where you’re located and the kind of event you’re looking for on your social media.
3. Search on Facebook for groups that have anything to do with horses, rodeo, NBHA, 4H or anything else related to the kind of events you want to participate in.
   1. Ask questions in those groups. 
   2. Send private messages to people who are admins or active.
4. Google Search
5. Find a Cowboy Church in your state, it’s a small world, everyone knows everyone
6. Contact your local extension office
7. Make friends! People are your best connection. 
8. Search phrase ideas:
   
   • • Rodeo events near me
     • Youth rodeos near me
     • Cowboy Churches in … (state)
     • Rodeos in …. (county/state)
       Youth rodeo associations in…. (county/state)
     • Rodeo associations in…. (county/state)
     • Horse associations near…. (county/state)
     • (state) high school rodeo association
     • (state) junior high rodeo association
     • (event) jackpots near me (i.e. barrel racing jackpots near me)
     • (event) associations in (state)
     • Saddle clubs in (state)
     • 4H clubs in (county/state)
     • Youth rodeo associations
     • Junior rodeo association
     • Fun shows

• Once you’ve found a flyer, check out what events you’re eligible for. Most events have different age divisions so kids are competing against a similar skill level. 
• If you aren’t sure what an event is, ask the producer or someone associated with the event you want to attend. Research online, watch videos, etc. 
• Look on the flyer  to see if you need to pre-enter or if you can enter on-site the day of the event.
• If it’s pre-entry, you’ll want to look for an “enter by date, call-in number, or online entry link.” If you can’t find one, check the website, Facebook page, call or message the association or producer of the event.
  • Why pre-enter? Producers take pre-entries so they know how much livestock, personnel, prizes, food, etc. to prepare for.
• If you’re a newbie and only entering events that don’t require additional livestock, many associations will let you enter the day of. Again, try to do as much research as possible to know what’s expected. Sometimes it’s listed, sometimes it’s not.

• Prepare and practice! Know what events you’re interested in getting involved, then search for people who can help you practice or look up videos that demonstrate and explain the events. 
• Create a checklist of things you need to take the day of. Extra clothes, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, toys, chairs, blankets, etc.
• Figure out the logistics:
  • What time the event beings, directions to get there, how early you want to be. 
• Prepare to arrive 45-60 minutes before the event starts. You’ll need to park, pay entry fees, check the draw (order), and figure out what it where. 
• If you have multiple kids, arrange to have more than one adult with you. Many times there are multiple events happening at once and/or different age groups competing at the same time in each event. Since we can’t be in two places at once, having help will make the day much more enjoyable. Once you establish a community and get the gist of how everything goes, you can back off the extra help. It’s better to be over prepared in the beginning!

• Find a place to park
• Find where the rodeo secretary is located. Usually somewhere close to the arena or by the announcers stand.
• Check in with the secretary
  • If you pre-entered, tell the secretary who you are, what events you entered and pay your fees.
  • If you didn’t pre-enter, tell the secretary who you are and what events you’d like to enter. Be prepared if you can be, but don’t be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what an event it.
  • If it’s the first time, be prepared to pay for a membership
  • Sign any minor waivers or liability waivers
• Check the draw – you can ask the secretary where it’s located. The draw will tell you the order in which you will compete. If your event includes additional livestock (calves, steers, goats, horses, bulls) it will you the number you’ve drawn. Sometimes, they are “chute ran” meaning you get whatever animal runs into the chute for your turn. Clarify before you leave.
• Set up a good place to sit so your competitors can find you when they need you. This can be especially helpful in the beginning to establish a place they can look if they get nervous or anxious. You can be in the same spot to cheer them on all day!
• Be there to encourage, support, take pictures, give advice, ask more questions and have fun!
• It can be easy to run on adrenaline then crash halfway through the day. Make sure everyone stays hydrated and energized.
• You might ask someone who has experience to help you and/or your child through the day. They’ll be able to offer guidance and give you someone to lean on when you get nervous. They’ll also tell others who can jump in and help make it a good experience and offer advice to keep them safe and calm.
• People to have help. Most youth rodeos will have parents and other helpers automatically helping out, but it’s still good to be prepared.
  • Roping events:
    • Pusher/tailer: a person to “push” or “tail” your steer or calf out of the chute. Without one, the calf or steer can stall in the chute which makes it harder to get a good start and good shot at catching the calf.
    • Someone “on the head”: This person keeps your calf or steer looking straight out of the gates. If they turn their head, it causes a delay in them leaving the box and lowers your catch percentage.
    • Liner: this person stands 10-15 feet out from the chute in the arena to help keep the calf or steer running straight. When they run straight, it increases our catch percentage and keeps the cattle better for future runs.
  • Roughstock events:
• BREATH! This is going to be a super fun day.
• Pack up, go home, talk about the day, focus on the positive, spend a little time on what can be improved, come up with a plan to prepare for the next one and be thankful for a great day!

• Clarify if western attire (long sleeve, collared shirt, jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat or helmet) is required when you enter or find the flyer. If it’s not listed, make a phone call or send a message to someone with the event. Some events require western attire, others don’t. No matter what event, you’ll want to have jeans and cowboy boots to compete.
• Look at the weather forecast before you go so you can dress and pack accordingly. Depending on the season, you may want to pack sunscreen and sunglasses, sweatshirts and blankets, or raincoats and mud boots. Always have an extra change of clothes.
• Whatever you do, don’t wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!