By Wendy Lester-Kyle Traveling and competing in the professional rodeo circuit takes a toll on the participants. The hours are long, and the work is challenging, to say the least. Rarely does a contestant stay in one city for more than three consecutive days. What defines a successful rodeo to the contestants are the people dedicated to providing assistance to them and to their families. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scores high marks for the amenities it extends to rodeo participants. According to 1999 Houston All-Around Cowboy Cody Ohl, "Everyone is anxious to get back to Houston. The facilities are great, the people are helpful and you have three chances to win good money. You couldn't ask for a better rodeo. I'll definitely be back this year." "We at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo know that it is important that contestants be treated as professional athletes," said Dan Gattis, general manager of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. "But even beyond that, we want them to receive a personal, friendly welcome from the moment they arrive, and we want to ensure that their individual needs are addressed." Contestant services for 2000 will begin before they even arrive in Houston. For the first time, the Show is providing a password protected section on its Web site dedicated solely to contestant information. With just a few keystrokes, the athletes can access directions, schedules and check in procedures, as well as information on awards, bonuses, stalling and parking. "When the contestants get to the Show, the [Livery Team] committee takes over, and we check them in personally," said Livery Team Committee Chairman Mike Ellis. "We show them around, and they are given a packet of information about local restaurants, hospitals, churches and just about anything else a contestant might have questions about. We want the contestants to know we are glad that they are here." In addition to welcoming the participants to the Show, Livery Team Committee volunteers are available 24 hours a day throughout the rodeo to assist contestants with a variety of needs. "One of our major concerns is taking care of the animals. We immediately assign stalls, and we provide a warm-up arena. Organizing 1,300 horses into 175 stalls [over a three-week period] takes a lot of coordination," Ellis said. "We want each contestant to be as comfortable as possible, and taking care of their animals is a significant role of our committee."
Assistance with their horses and equipment is just one of many amenities afforded rodeo athletes during the Houston Rodeo. As the Show continues to grow, the services that are requested vary, and the biggest challenge is to find resources to fulfill the increasing number of demands. "One thing that stands out about our rodeo is that we provide a little bit of everything," said Steve Woodley, manager - buildings and grounds, Logistics and Service Support Department. "We provide secure parking for the participants' trailers and trucks, as well as even a list of barber shops where they can get a good haircut. We try to cover a lot of ground with the services we offer. I would say that is unique to our Show." Families of the contestants receive complimentary passes to the rodeo on the day the respective contestant is scheduled to compete. The contestant family room is available with refreshments, closed-circuit televisions and plenty of entertainment for the children. "Family plays a big role at the Show," Ellis said. "We want family members to feel welcome and to enjoy everything Houston has to offer. Spouses and children are encouraged to enjoy the facilities. Some of the families are here for three weeks, and we want them to feel at home every time they come to Houston." Show Assistant Manager Lori Renfrow agreed. "It's a fun place to bring the family. There is something of interest for all ages. The contestant family room is clean and comfortable. With the closed-circuit television, the families can keep up with the action while the kids play. It's a great meeting place for the people who travel the rodeo circuit to visit and catch up." Contestants have exclusive use of a comfort station provided by the Show. This facility has clean restrooms, showers and a dressing room adjacent to the contestants' stalling and parking area. While a dressing area was provided near the chutes last year, rodeo contestants will have a locker room available in 2000. The new locker room will offer a lounge area and a mini business center. This expansion will offer more room for sports medicine and training capabilities. Rodeo athletes also have been considered in the move to the new stadium in 2003. "Because we want to be sure that the needs of rodeo athletes are covered in the new stadium, we've paid particular attention to contestant facilities in the design process," said Gattis. "Not every contestant arrives with a fully equipped trailer," Ellis explained. "It's important that we offer showers and dressing areas for the competitors. It shows that we listen to their needs, and we respond. Small-town rodeos might be able to offer their participants dinner every night," he continued. "Some of the larger shows might not feel obligated to provide a single meal. Our rodeo offers accessible amenities every day that the participants really appreciate."
While most of the preparation takes place in the private dressing room located near the chutes, there are always last-minute adjustments before a competitor takes his turn at the world's largest indoor rodeo. Communication from the contestants is the most effective way to initiate new facilities for rodeo participants. "The Show reacts quickly to the concerns of the contestants. We want them to be comfortable and able to perform at their best," Ellis said. "For example, the warm-up arena was a result of constant requests of the contestants. We listened, and they really appreciated it. It takes a great deal of communicating with the contestants to keep the Show successful. Every year we're growing, so we must be doing something right." Perhaps the evolution of amenities at the Show is most apparent in the organization of the use of covered stalls for the contestants' animals. "About seven years ago, there was no issuing of the stalls to the competitors. It was strictly on a first-come, first-served basis," Ellis explained. "We had about 100 stalls, and whoever was lucky enough to get there first had a place for their animals. Now, it's a completely different process. We have about 175 stalls, and they are assigned to the contestants in an organized rotation. When we see that an issue is a concern to the contestants, we work hard to come up with a workable solution." Another popular feature offered by the Show is Cowboy Church. On each of the three Sundays during the Show, a nondenominational service is held for contestants and their families. The service is open to anyone visiting or attending the Show. "Every year I am in Houston, the Cowboy Church gets bigger," Ohl said. "Quite a few contestants show up, and we all appreciate it." Overall, the Show is constantly listening and responding to the contestants to provide the best services and amenities. As the Show continues to grow, so will the needs of the participants. "The participants are professional athletes, and we want to provide them with the facilities and resources they need to compete to the best of their abilities," Renfrow said. "Everyone benefits when the participants are in top form. We want Houston to be a welcome stop on their tour." |
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