|
Families keep on traveling on rodeo circuitSAN ANGELO, Texas (AP)--Traci Meeks won't stay home when her son is off riding bulls. It's a dangerous sport, and her son, talented junior bull rider Trey Paul Meeks, is only 15. There's little chance she won't be present any time, or anywhere, he gets on a bull. That's why she can't worry too much about the price of gas. "You do what you have to," said Traci Meeks of Rocksprings. "Everyone here is like family. We spend more time with this family than our real families." Rising costs of fuel, feed and just about everything else have families struggling to make ends meet in the rodeo world, where traveling is a requirement and sacrifices are commonplace. The trucks and trailers outside the 1st Community Credit Union Spur Arena aren't fancy, but in many ways they're essential to get a family and several horses from town to town. Meeks is somewhat lucky because her son competes in rough stock events, which eliminates the need for a trailer and feed bill. But she also has to pay for hotel rooms while she's in town, she said. Meeks got rid of her Chevy Tahoe SUV that got less than 20 miles per gallon in favor of a small car that gets close to 40 miles per gallon. Other families have horses, feed bills, trailers and huge diesel pickup trucks that don't get good mileage pulling a heavy trailer. Some come away with money, but others have to use winnings simply to cover costs, Meeks said. Entry numbers to some American Junior Rodeo Association events have been down this year because of rising fuel and feed costs, said DeWayne McGuire, an association director and parent of a competitor. McGuire said his family usually goes to all 18 qualifying AJRA events, but only made eight this year. McGuire, of Gardendale, said his daughter, Dani, 19, competes in four events. Professional cowboys and cowgirls are feeling the pinch as well, he said. "It's hurting a lot of families right now," he said. "It can cost $150 for a tank of diesel, and sometimes it takes two or three tanks to get home. I don't see an end (to the trend) unless fuel and feed costs go down." Karen Marth of Christoval has a daughter, Halee, who competes in rodeos across the state. Halee is a senior, which means mom won't have to travel to as many rodeos anymore. Still, she said, she would keep her family competing if she had a child just starting out. "I would do it all the same," she said. "Rodeo is (Halee's) No. 1 choice. It teaches them so much about responsibility, and they love it." Marla Wharton of Mineral Wells said her family hasn't had to cut down on rodeos this year--they made about 40 stops on various circuits. Shawn Wharton works in the oil field, and the family also has some farm land, so they grow their own feed. Shawn Wharton said he has noticed numbers down at some rodeo events, but it hasn't been as bad as he thought it would be before the summer began. That's a tribute to the dedication of the sport. "Rodeo is one of the few sports where you'll see competitors help you," he said. "They will be in the chute helping push out your calf. You build some great relationships." The Whartons have a stock trailer with living quarters, and that cuts the cost of motel rooms. While costs might be going up, the amount of time the family spends together is priceless, Marla Wharton said. Trevor Wharton, 14, and his dad compete together in team roping events, and Taylor, 12, competes in other events as well. Tatum, 8, and their puppy, Suppy, also travel with the family. The family has an arena at home and practices in the evenings and mornings when it's not so hot, Marla Wharton said. Many rodeo families have had to cut back because of rising costs, but so far, the Whartons still make every event they can, which includes trips to rodeos in San Angelo and the New Mexico towns of Hobbs and Carlsbad. Rodeo is worth it, she said. "It's not as cutthroat as other sports," Marla Wharton said. "Everyone here encourages and helps each other out. They don't laugh at someone if they make a mistake. They pick them up and help dust them off." 8/18/08 Date: 8/13/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2008. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
