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Wauconda Rodeo shows off horsepower |
By Josh Van Dyke |
The gate opens and 5 athletes come out of the gate. The first runs ahead, its 4 hooves pounding as four pursuers--two horses, two riders--follow. The purpose of one rider/horse team is to keep the leading steer going in a straight line. As the three continue through the arena the other rider and horse keep up alongside.
The third rider readies himself and then leaps from his steed at the bull next. He is briefly in the air before he comes crashing down onto his target, and upon landing he immediately gets to work. Using a combination of technique, strength, and aldrenaline the cowboy flips the steer onto its side and holds it down.
The animal neck bends at an angle that could be alarming to newcomers, but a moment later both attacker and defender are walking away. Members of the International Professional Rodeo Association train constantly to ensure speed and safety, and they put that experience into full use at the 46th annual Wauconda Rodeo on July 11.
After months of planning by the IPRA and the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce competitors from across the nation got to show their skills with both horses and bulls. The events was divided into different activities, but they all required skill and a willingness to risk injury despite precautions.
“It’s about like being on a truck going 33 mph and landing on the back of a mailbox,” said Rob Lawlyes, a 21 year old steer wrestler from Perrysville, Indiana who has been everywhere from Canada to Mexico.
Like the other competitors, Lawlyes’ goal is to raise his national ranking. Those who do well enough will be able to go to the finals in Oklahoma City. There are no “local branches” of the IPRA; cowboys sign up for whatever events they want and travel across the country.
Not all of the activities centered around making animals fall to the ground. There was also a speed competition where a horse and its rider tries to go around the course as fast as they can, trick riding events where the riders struck precarious poses, and competitions to stay on their steed while it tried to fling them off.
“That horse bucked his hair right off,” joked the night’s rodeo clown after one rider took a spill, losing his hat in the process.
Despite the jokes the safety of everyone involved, including the animals, is a major concern. Lawlyes said that rodeo is the most dangerous sport, but all of the riders walked out of the arena. Some of them were limping or bending over, but they walked out nonetheless.
Considering that horse kicks can break bones, with bull attacks also being dangerous, perhaps that was part of why the crowd was cheering at the Golden Oaks Rodeo Grounds near Route 12 for three hours.