How COVID-19 Has Affected the Rodeo Industry:

Many citizens and businesses have been affected by the global pandemic COVID 19, and it has overcrowded multiple types of media outlets, covering stories on individuals and companies that contracted the illness or have been affected economically. What you do not see so much of on the news is how the pandemic has affected the rodeo industry.

March 11, 2020- The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was cancelled due to concerns of spectators spreading the coronavirus disease. The cancellation of this major event lead to all rodeos being forced to shut down until further notice.

For those who do not support or keep up with the sport of rodeo, are unaware and do not understand just how much the pandemic has affected their daily lives and career. To provide insight on how the industry has been affected, interviews were conducted with three different gentlemen who work on different sides of the rodeo spectrum.

In an interview conducted with Bryce Redo (pictured below), a professional bull fighter from Crosby, Tx, when asked “How were you personally affected when the decision was made to shut down rodeos? and is this your full-time job? “said “I lost about fifteen rodeos; this is what I do for a living”. Others that work the industry such as Redo, depended on rodeos to be held in order to make a living.

In the second interview that was conducted with Jeremy Walker (pictured below) of Paradigm Bucking Bulls, a PBR stock contractor from Stephenville, Tx, when asked “ Do you think that the industry suffered a major loss for both workers and athletes at the time rodeos were not allowed to be held?” said, “The industry suffered a major loss no doubt. Others like myself who does this as a full-time job, had to find other ways to make money.”

May 28, 2020- The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), made efforts to get rodeos back in action by starting a “Kick Open the Chutes” program that allowed rodeos to be held again, officials could go back to work, athletes could compete again, but fans were not allowed to attend.

In the third interview conducted with JB Mauney (pictured below), PBR bull rider from Cotulla, Tx, when asked “Do you feel that when rodeos were allowed to be held again, but fans were not allowed to attend, had an effect on an athlete’s performance?” said. “Fans have an effect to a certain extent. The rodeos and PBR events felt more like practice and the atmosphere died down. It gets your blood pumping when the crowd cheers.”

June 5, 2020- Mesquite Pro Rodeo was the first rodeo held that allowed spectators to attend while following state guidelines. Redo shared his thoughts on the subject when asked “Do you think the industry bounced back once rodeos got back into full swing?” and answered “Yes, no one understands what it is like to experience a pandemic since it’s the first time. Now that we’re allowed to have rodeos and attend again, things are rocking and rolling again, everyone’s getting back to work.” Mauney also stated that “Rodeos bounced back even better, everyone is excited to be back, and arenas are packed.”

Government officials have not made any statements recently about rodeos being held again, but many do share concern about the possibility of them being shut down again. Walker stated when asked “Do you think that rodeos will be shut down again due to any further COVID-19 spread?” that “They can always try to shut us down again. They don’t want us to have any freedom. I hope that they don’t put rodeos to a stop again.”

The rodeo industry is a field that is misunderstood by patrons uninvolved. To the cowboys, cowgirls and many rodeo fans, this sport represents freedom, patriotism, and no one else quite shows pride in our country like they do. For the period of time that rodeos were not allowed to be held, it felt like their freedom, and rights was being taken away.

As previously stated by athletes and a stock contractor who experienced major losses during the cancellations, many were out of jobs, athletes could not compete therefore causing a shift in their world standings, and lovers of the sport could not attend for a short period of time. Now that the industry is back in full swing, everyone is back in business, and could not be any happier to get back to doing what they love.