By Wendy Lester-Kyle Some choices are, by nature, harder than others, especially when they involve choosing between two of the most popular rodeo events of the year. Just ask Annie and Joe Campbell of Shoshoni, Wyo. "We won a contest we did not know we entered, and then we had to weigh the option of attending the NFR [National Finals Rodeo] in Las Vegas or the Houston Rodeo," explained sweepstakes winner Joe Campbell. During the 1998 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Campbells purchased a RodeoHouston package on pay-per-view and unknowingly entered a sweepstakes to win an all-expense-paid trip to a rodeo of the winner's choice. It was not until a few months after the broadcast that the unsuspecting winners were notified of their prize. "I thought all I won was a pair of Tony Lama boots, and I was very happy with that," Joe said. "I got a certificate in the mail for the boots, but I had no idea there was more to it until I got a call in October from the Houston Rodeo office. It did not make sense in the beginning. All we did was watch a rodeo on cable, and someone was offering us a trip. I really thought someone had made a mistake. Of course, I was a little suspicious; we had never won anything before. But after everything was explained to us and we chose Houston, the rest was easy," Joe explained. In choosing between Las Vegas and Houston, the Campbells, who are avid rodeo fans, didn't allow the glitter of Las Vegas lights to blind them. The actual rodeo was the deciding factor. "The seats in Las Vegas were not guaranteed to be great, but in Houston, we knew we'd be right up front," Joe said. "We were going to see the rodeo, so we picked Houston with no regrets. We even got to pick out the dates we wanted to go. We both decided to wait until the last weekend. That's when the competition is the best. The final day is the best part of any rodeo." Other than the weather difference -- 27 degrees in Wyoming and 72 degrees in Texas -- the biggest surprise was the Show itself. "The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is huge!" Annie said. "The community support is unbelievable. The amount of volunteers and the amount of money people put into agriculture is wonderful. The Show focuses just as much on the livestock show as the actual rodeo. You can really tell that the kids are the reason everyone comes out and shows such excitement. "It's similar to Frontier Days in Cheyenne, but Cheyenne is all about the rodeo, and the livestock isn't such a big draw. Here, there was so much to see. We didn't have to leave this area after we arrived at the hotel, and we stayed busy the entire time," she said. The couple attended the Show during the final weekend, and they never missed a single event. Between shows, they toured the exhibits, sampled the rodeo fare and shopped for souvenirs. "Whatever we wanted to do was as easy as making a phone call," Annie said. "Within minutes, we had a car to pick us up at our hotel. It was definitely VIP treatment all the way. The staff in Houston could not have been any nicer. Nothing seemed out of our reach the entire time we were here. All we had to do was ask!" As guests of the Show, the couple had the opportunity to meet rodeo officials, participants and one humongous celebrity up-close and personal. "Nothing was more memorable than getting to take a picture with the bull, Bodacious," Annie said. "I did not think I would be scared, but I felt him breathing on me while they were taking our picture, and he was pawing the ground. I mean, I was honored to meet the famous animal, but I was ready to get out of that pen!" On a more human note, the Campbells, who frequently watch rodeo events on cable, were introduced to rodeo announcer Bob Tallman. "Bob was a really nice, approachable guy," Joe said. "I really didn't know what to expect, but like everyone else we've met here, he was great." Watching each round of the final days of the competition was the ultimate highlight for the prize winners. "It was so great to watch each event from such fantastic seats," Joe said. "These guys are the best in the business. They are the reason that rodeo is such an exciting sport. Not many people have the chance to go to so many events over three days and see the best of the best compete in one of the largest rodeos of the year. We were very honored to be a part of the audience. Getting to see Clay Walker in the final performance was great, too!" The Campbells, who own Star Trucking in Shoshoni, have both participated in rodeo events for more than 10 years. They host a barrel racing competition at their farm annually in May. "I recently received my barrel racing permit from the WPRA [Women's Professional Rodeo Association]," Annie said. "So, the chance to watch Kristie Peterson and her horse, Bozo, compete was really an honor. All of the best racers were there, and it was definitely my favorite event to watch. It would be great to get to compete at this rodeo." Joe has competed as a calf roper in amateur rodeos throughout Wyoming, but he operates on a confining schedule. "Running the trucking business keeps me from competing as much as I would like, but I rope as often as possible," Joe added. "We would both like to be involved in the rodeo for many more years. We have grown up with it. I have lived on a farm all my life, and so has Annie." While they did not get to see the glamour and glitz of the Las Vegas strip, the Campbells were completely satisfied with their decision to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. "We could not have been more thrilled with the entire package! We could not begin to thank everyone who helped us during our stay. Everyone in Houston showed us great hospitality." Annie said. "If we ever get the chance, we'll come back in a heartbeat!" Viva Las Tejas!
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