`HATS OFF'

Rodeo competition is a celebration of the Old West and the romantic idealism which accompanies that period of American history and lore.

As such, organizers of the Longhorn World Championship Rodeo put emphasis not just on men and women demonstrating their proficiency with bronc and bull. Also included is a healthy dose of patriotism.

And few legends embody both patriotism and the American cowboy like John Wayne. In a tribute to both The Duke and the Old West, the Longhorn Rodeo opens with a monologue on both by Jerry Thomas, a rancher and former bronc rider who portrays Wayne.

"With important national elections scheduled this year and our nation playing host to the world with the Olympic Games, we thought it only fitting that we pay tribute to our nation and the people who have made it great," said W. Bruce Lehrke, the rodeo's president and general manager.

While the theme of the rodeo, which will be at Cape Girardeau's Show Me Center from Friday through Sunday, is "Hats Off to America," most spectators attend to salute and cheer the competitors.

Over 200 pro cowboys and cowgirls are expected to compete in six events for a total purse of $25,000.

The roots of the events, of course, can be traced to the skills ranch hands needed to tend cattle herds or break and train horses. As competition, the first organized rodeo was held in 1864 and by the late 1880s, cowboys were competing for cash rewards in front of paying fans.

Today's competitors pay entry fees of $100 per event. Finishing among the top eight in an individual event can net the participant anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $4,500.

Scheduled events are bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, cowgirls barrel racing, calf roping and bonus bull riding.

Most of the events hold obvious dangers for participants, which perhaps is part of the attraction and excitement for rodeo fans.

In steer wrestling, a participant must chase after a Mexican Corriente steer while at full gallop on his horse and then jump from the horse and tackle the 700-pound beast to the ground. Wrestling even Andre the Giant might prove a little safer, especially since he doesn't have foot-long horns.

Also, in saddle and bareback bronc riding, the rider has to keep hold of a rather excited and gymnastic horse for eight seconds while using only one hand.

But bull riding is probably the most foreboding event. Although the principle is the same as bronc riding, the animal is larger and meaner. Only about 10 percent of riders can go the full distance.

However, the cowboy who can remain mounted on the one-ton-plus Brahman bull can claim a paycheck of up to $5,000 for eight seconds of work.

"I want to provide the bull riders with a real challenge," said Wendel Ratchford, the livestock foreman who chooses the bulls for competition. "When I pick a bull for the challenge he's already proven himself to be a gritty, gutty bull that's a real campaigner -- a top-flight athlete."

Those beasts can also take apart and trample a thrown rider, which is why winners command a hefty payoff.

While the cowboys and cowgirls get most of the attention, the rodeo considers its animals to be the true stars. Its bulls, steers and horses are trained like world class athletes. Like their human counterparts in professional athletics, they also command a high price. When sold, top bucking broncs and bulls bring five-figure prices.

Considering the money at stake, rodeo organizers have an interest in keeping the animals in top physical condition. Also, like the cowboys who compete with them, only the best animals are chosen for the International Finals Rodeo.

The Longhorn Rodeo begins Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the Show Me Center box office and other ticket outlets. All seats are $10 Friday. Tickets for the other days range from $11.50 to $18. On Sunday, admission for kids under 12 and seniors over 62 is half price.