Frequently Asked Questions for Rec.Sport.Rodeo

By Terry Bartlett and Chris Josephes

Introduction

This is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the newsgroup Rec.Sport.Rodeo. If you have any questions regarding rodeo, it is recommended that you check this file before you post to the newsgroup. While your question won't necessarily inconvenience the readers of the newsgroup, referring to this file would be quicker.

Finding This File

The HTML version of this file is located at http://www.visi.com/~cpj1/rsr/files/faq.html. Updates will be made directly to this file. This FAQ will also be posted to rec.sport.rodeo once every month.

Contributions Welcome

By no means is this file complete. If you feel that you have a question you think should be listed, or if you want to contribute further information, please send email to Terry Bartlett or Chris Josephes at terry.bartlett@central.sun.com or cpj1@visi.com respectively.

The Answers

Questions Regarding Rec.Sport.Rodeo

What is Rec.Sport.Rodeo?: Rec.Sport.Rodeo is a newsgroup designed for the discussion of all aspects of the sport of rodeo. Topics can vary from particular events in rodeo, current standings of performers or rodeo results, or just as a meeting place for rodeo fans on the Internet.
What is acceptable on Rec.Sport.Rodeo?: Any information or questions regarding the sport of rodeo can be posted to Rec.Sport.Rodeo. It should be made clear however that Rec.Sport.Rodeo is not a forum for animal rights issues, because these issues already have their own newsgroups.
Where is the Rec.Sport.Rodeo homepage?: The Rec.Sport.Rodeo homepage is located at "http://www.visi.com/~cpj1/rsr/".
How can I meet other rodeo fans?: The best way to meet other people in the Rec.Sport.Rodeo newsgroup is to introduce yourself. You might find someone within the group who may be in your area, someone who competes in similar events, or perhaps is also a diehard rodeo fan. You can also put your name on the Rec.Sport.Rodeo user list located at http://www.visi.com/~cpj1/rsr/userlist.html.
What other rodeo resources are out there on the Internet?: Actually, there are a lot of different rodeo resources out there, a majority of them are personal home pages of other Internet users, or there are major sites devoted to rodeo such as Sarah's Rodeo Page (http://mama.indstate.edu/prentice/sarah/), Cowboys.Com (http://www.cowboy.com/), Roughstock Home Page (http://www.roughstock.com/roughstock/), or Rodeo.Ca (http://www.rodeo.ca/).
Your best bet is to locate information using an Internet search engine such as Yahoo (http://www.yahoo.com/), Lycos (http://www.lycos.com/), Alta Vista (http://www.altavista.digital.com/), or Excite (http://www.excite.com/).
How Do I Create A Killfile?: Creating killfiles really depends on what newsreader program that you are using. For example in Tin, you would press CTRL+K on the article you wish to kill, and from there you can choose to kill all articles with that particular subject, articles written by that particular author or both. Some newsreaders, such as the Netscape newsreader, don't yet implement killfiles. Check with the documentation that came with your newsreader program.

Questions Regarding Rodeo in General

How can I find a rodeo near me?

If you're not too well connected to the rodeo information pipeline, a good place to start might be a western wear or tack store. Ask if they have any information on rodeos in the area. If that dosn't work out, try and check at a local stable for information. Once you find a way to get information on rodeos in your area, you can easily build on that and find out about more rodeos.

What are the events in rodeo?

Traditionally there are seven events in rodeo divided into two catagories, roughstock and timed events.

Roughstock Events
- Bareback
- Bull Riding
- Saddle Bronc
Timed Events
- Barrel Racing
- Calf Roping
- Steer Wrestling
- Team Roping

These are the events that are sanctioned by the major associations such as the PRCA and the IPRA. Some rodeos such as Cheyanne Frontier days will also offer non-sanctioned events such as the Chuckwagon Race or the Wild Horse Race.

How can I enter a rodeo?

For a firstimer, competing in a rodeo isn't one of those simple answers. It is clearly recommended that you have the skills needed to enter a rodeo, or try and build on those skills by attending a rodeo school. Having friends that compete in rodeos would be a huge asset. With a friend in rodeo, you could borrow equipment or get helpful coaching.

My friend says rodeos abuse animals. Is that true?

No. To put it simply, a stock contractor wouldn't be able to make money as a stock contractor if he abused his stock. Rodeo livestock are not tortured or harmed in any way. If anything these animals are pamperd because they are kept alive longer than other livestock and they don't really have to do anything to earn their keep.
In 1996, less than .01% of all rodeo livestock in every PRCA rodeo performance was injured. The PRCA has very strick guidelines to ensure the safety and well being of rodeo livestock.

Why are there rodeo associations?

Rodeo associations such as the PRCA were developed in the interest of making sure that there was some form of regulation over the sport. The first association ever formed was The Cowboy Turtle Association back in 1936 after a dispute concerning prize money and unfair judging practices at a rodeo at the Boston Garden.
The associations make sure that the competitors are qualified, the animal stock contractors are carefully regulated, and that the rules and judging guidelines of each event are clear to both the cowboy and the judge.

What do some of these rodeo slang terms mean?

TurnOut: When a rider decides not to ride an animal he has drawn, or it is decided that he will be re-assigned to a different animal, the bull or horse is released from the chutes to make it easier to get the animal back into the pen.

Rec.Sport.Rodeo
http://www.visi.com/~cpj1/rsr/