Each applicant will write a 500-1000-word essay on: “You are approached by visitor to the fair and he/she states that the barrel racers are mean to their horses when they whip them and the calf ropers are mean to the baby claves when they rope them, what is your response and why?” If I was approached by a visitor concerned about barrel racers whipping their horses and calf ropers harming the calves, I would first put myself in their shoes. This will allow me to understand the visitors level of exposure to the rodeo world. It is always important to allow people to express their concerns so all residing issues can be addressed and discussed fully. Everyone has a right to their own opinions and each individual's opinion should have a right to be heard. Even if it doesn’t align with your own beliefs, most people’s opinions are formulated by their prior experience. Therefore, in this situation, I feel it is important to identify the concerned party’s previous experience in the rodeo/livestock industry. By being open and discussing specific concerns with them and identifying the visitors' background, knowledge, and exposure, therefore allowing me to decrease levels of concern and misconceptions the visitor may have. As a successful barrel racer, I have great respect and strong relationship with my horse. I would never jeopardize the relationship and trust I have with my horse. I cannot put a value on the time and dedication it has taken to build. In the barrel racing event, it takes both horse and rider to complete a successful pattern. It is in the best interest of the rider to provide positive encouragement so the horse enjoys the job of running barrels. A rider would never put his or her horse in danger because that would also create a threat to the safety and wellbeing of the rider. There is no scientific evidence that using a form of over-under or crop is damaging to the equine athlete. However, research shows that utilizing these tools can improve the communication between horse and rider. Today there are concerns over the welfare of the calves used in professional rodeo, and the industry itself policies these events very closely, penalizing competitors who "jerk down" a calf with the rope or flip it over backward. A no-jerk-down rule provides for fines if a contestant jerks a calf over backwards in tie-down roping. Calf roping is not bad if the rules set in place are followed. The Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) states that the roper must apply tension to the rope while dismounting and after pulling slack to alert and allow the calf to slow down. Dr. Eddie Taylor stated that in 16 years as an attending veterinarian at PRCA rodeos in Arizona, "I personally have not seen a serious neck injury to a tie-down roping calf." Statistically, the rate of injury to the animals is relatively low. A later PRCA survey of 60,971 animal performances at 198 rodeo performances and 73 sections of slack indicated 12 animals were injured, again approximately 0.0004 of the overall count. Any PRCA member caught using unnecessary roughness or abusing an animal may be immediately disqualified from the rodeo and fined. This holds true whether it is in the competitive arena or elsewhere on the rodeo grounds. While addressing a concerned visitor I will do my best to explain the human aspects of handling rodeo animals. But on the reverse side, if there are any issues regarding animal cruelty I would greatly feel responsible and would take immediate action to contact the proper authorities. My main objective is to ensure animal safety and security. I will carry this mode of operation forward in events both in and outside of Routt County.
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Mackenzie Holmberg Archives
January 2023
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