Rodeo places emphasis on animals

When it comes to rodeo safety, the steps made to protect the cowboys are easily apparent to the casual observer.

Rodeo athletes can be seen wearing protective vests, and there are always fellow riders in the ring to help the main rider off the animal or to ensure their safety. The steps taken to protect the animals may not be as obvious though.

People new to the sport may see a tie-down roping event or a steer wrestling event and think the animals are being mistreated.

"There's nothing further from the truth," said Mark Johnson, whose production company puts on the Show Me Center Championship Rodeo. His company also contracts the livestock.

"We go to every extent," Johnson said. "We make sure there's good ground and good dirt. And if we do get a cripple, we have a vet right on the spot."

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which is sanctioning the 16th annual rodeo, has rules in place to make sure the animals are well taken care of. Veterinarians are required for each event and weight limits for the animals are set for certain events.

"There's rules and regulations to protect the animals, and I think it's a good thing," Johnson said. "I want my animals protected."

Even with the rules in place, some still claim rodeos are cruel to animals.

Robert Howard, a bull rider from Fredericktown, Mo., said it is hard to appease those people.

"Sometimes there are people that ask me questions concerning the animals," he said. "But usually those people have their minds set."

Most of the contestants have been around animals their whole lives, whether they have lived on a farm or own their own livestock. Rodeo athletes can even be penalized if they mistreat the animals.

"I've been around rodeos and cattle my whole life," Howard said. "Even when I was young, you fed the cattle before you came in to eat.

"These animals are taken care of more probably than even I am."

Rodeo fans will have another chance to see the competitors in action in the final session today. Events begin at 2 p.m.