About Rodeo Arenas
Barrel racing, calf roping and bull riding could not be possible without a place to do it in. Enter the rodeo arena. Although cowboys, cowgirls and ranchers have been on the decline, there remains a steady enough throng of rodeo performers and competitors that the rodeo arena is still going strong. In some areas the rodeo arena is a permanent fixture, while others will set them up and then break them down to accommodate certain events.
Features
The most prominent feature of the rodeo arena is the performance area. This is the large central area, usually oblong and covered in dirt. The performance area is often bordered on one side by a chute for return of an animal without it having to walk back through the arena. Any number of holding pens, roping chutes, chute extensions, stripping chutes and other animal areas can also be attached to the outer edges of the arena. These are usually equipped with doors that can be quickly sprung open when an animal is needed in the central performance area. Bleachers or other seating units may be built up around the sides of the arena so people can easily watch the show.
Identification
The easiest way to identify a rodeo arena is by the smell. The scent of horses, cattle, popcorn and lots of sweat will be wafting through the air. The tromping hooves, screaming crowds and loudspeaker announcements will be other dead giveaways. For arenas that are empty, folks can bet a space that measures at least 100 feet long by 150 feet wide, is covered in dirt and contains bleachers and chutes and pens for livestock is most likely a rodeo arena. Like other sports venues, advertisements, billboards and scoreboards may also be pegged or painted in highly visible areas.
Geography
Permanent rodeo arenas are a staple in the Southwest and other states where rodeo is a big draw. New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming are states where rodeo arenas can be found on many college campuses, fairgrounds and other areas where there's enough space and desire to accommodate them. Folks won't usually find a rodeo arena in places like the heart of New York City, although a temporary one can definitely be set up in areas like Madison Square Garden when the rodeo comes to town.
Considerations
Mobile rodeo arenas are available for use in shows that like to travel. The mobile versions will often be made of a series of metal or other gate-like units which can be set up in any desired location to create a full arena. Mobile arenas can be broken down and packed into the back of a large truck in segments for storage and transporting to the next gig. Pieces of the unit can be left out or rearranged for a smaller or slightly different setup.
Function
Some rodeo arenas can host a variety of different rodeo or even non-rodeo events. These can include beauty pageants, pet shows, animal contests and other spectator sports. Others are set up with specific functions in mind. An example of this is the bull riding arena, which differs from the generic rodeo arena in several ways. The shape of the bull arena is less narrow, creating more of a square than the rectangle found in other rodeo arenas. The bull arena will also have a set series of chutes at one end, where about six bulls can be kept and ready to go.
Tags: rodeo arena, rodeo arenas, performance area, bull arena, bull riding