Rodeo: The Maple Leaf vs. The Stars & Stripes

Maple Leaf vs.

It's almost showtime, and people are streaming past the huge prancing bronze horses that guard the entrance gate at Horseworld in north Scottsdale. Behind the 365-acre facility, replete with multiple arenas and show barns, the McDowell Mountains form a picture-perfect Western backdrop. Inside the main arena, the lights dim. From the shadows at each end of the ring, uniformed riders approach bearing the national standards of the United States and Canada. Suddenly, spotlights pick out the Stars and Stripes and the bright red maple leaf of Canada. For a dazzling moment, the two flags blaze against the dusky sky. Then the Canadian and American anthems are trumpeted throughout the show ring. For the next five days, national pride and determined competition are the bywords. Fans applaud as United States and Canadian cowboys and cowgirls go head-to-head in the first annual international Wrangler Jeans Rodeo Showdown. At stake are bragging rights and at least temporary supremacy in a brandnew team rivalry in one of North America's most colorful sports. Only once before-as an exhibition event at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta have rodeo cowboys competed for their countries. Now, from October 4 to 8, it will happen again. And this time it's in Scottsdale, Arizona. Despite Americans' frequently proprietary attitude, cowboys and cowboy skills are an international phenomenon. "Lots of our ranches got started as summer camps for Texas cattle drives during the 1800s," explains Ralph Murray, commissioner of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. "As these camps became permanent bases, rodeo drifted across the border. Today we still have many traditional ranches in Canada served principally by the working horse." Cattle raising is a major industry up north, and Canadian cowboys are a hardy breed. Their rodeo prowess makes this competition all the more intense. In Calgary, our northern neighbor's best known Wild West town, three radio stations announce the daily rodeo report and two newspapers keep fans posted on weekly standings. Public attention was of course on Sportscom president Alan Jacoby's mind when he got the idea in 1987 to develop and produce an international team rodeo event. During the next year, Jacoby learned two important things. First he found that although Australia and New Zealand produce skilled cowboys, or "drovers," at present only the United States and Canada have the depth of experienced rodeo talent to field national teams. He also confirmed that his proposed format an international team event, as tested in 1988 in Calgary-has great appeal.

After considering several Southwestern cities, Jacoby selected Scottsdale for its outstanding horse facility and civic enthusiasm. Next, he contacted the two national sanctioning organizations, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. "We felt it was important to start with an officially sanctioned event," says Jacoby. Finally, he brought in the ESPN and Mizlou Sports networks to insure nationwide television coverage. The Showdown will also be syndicated to Australia, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. "This is a special kind of rodeo," agrees Lou Cryer, commissioner of the PRCA. "When we did the Olympic Challenge in Calgary, we didn't realize how emotional it would be when you compete for your country. The competition got

Stars & Stripes

very intense then, and we expect that it will happen again."

"The Americans have dominated bareback riding for a long time. I'd like to be able to change that," says Robin Burwash. "Even though I compete against U.S. cowboys in every rodeo, it's a different feeling to ride officially for your country. When you ride for yourself, if you don't do well, you say, well, I let myself down. But when you are riding for your country, you can't have an off day."

"Every rodeo is special to me," agrees Clint Johnson, America's three-time world saddle bronc champion. "But it's a real honor to ride for your national team." Johnson adds that he doesn't feel he's out to beat the Canadians at this Showdown so much as to encourage camaraderie among his own team. "I think that the best thing about this rodeo is what it will do for the sport," he says. "Team competition is understandable, so even people who don't know what to look for will be able to come out and have a good time."

"The team format is definitely part of the appeal," agrees Cryer. "Here people are seeing the same individuals competing for four days at five different sessions. They get to know their favorites and identify with them. Depending on the time of day and the day of the week, those favorites could be exploding out of chutes on saddle broncs, bareback broncs, or bulls. They could be down in the dirt wrestling steers, distracting angry bulls from unseated riders, chasing the whir of ropes flying through the air, or executing dangerous turns on horseback as they race around the barrels. Or they might be appearing at center stage.

Depending on the time of day and the day of the week, those favorites could be exploding out of chutes on saddle broncs, bareback broncs, or bulls. They could be down in the dirt wrestling steers, distracting angry bulls from unseated riders, chasing the whir of ropes flying through the air, or executing dangerous turns on horseback as they race around the barrels. Or they might be appearing at center stage.

Because rodeo celebrates a way of life, the Showdown focuses on several aspects of Western culture-from music to food to Western wear. The festival kicks off with a country music concert featuring singers Lee Greenwood and Tanya Tucker. In addition to the concert series, the event features a specially constructed street of the best of Western crafts and traditions. Children can watch blacksmiths making branding irons and cowboys demonstrating their use. Quick-draw contests entertain young and old. Youngsters can make their own bola ties or listen to balladeers. Nearby, strollers can view murals created by high school students and a professional artist, while others visit the custom boot maker or browse through any of the 125 Western boutiques. A $5 field pass gives entry to the grounds, the entertainment, and rodeo general admission (subject to space avail-ability). For rodeo reserved-seat tickets, tele-phone 829-5555.

In addition to the concert series, the event features a specially constructed street of the best of Western crafts and traditions. Children can watch blacksmiths making branding irons and cowboys demonstrating their use. Quick-draw contests entertain young and old. Youngsters can make their own bola ties or listen to balladeers. Nearby, strollers can view murals created by high school students and a professional artist, while others visit the custom boot maker or browse through any of the 125 Western boutiques. A $5 field pass gives entry to the grounds, the entertainment, and rodeo general admission (subject to space availability). For rodeo reserved-seat tickets, telephone 829-5555.

While the festival adds to the fun, the heart of the Showdown is the international rodeo competition with its $220,000 purse. Points will be awarded for individual and team performance. The Canadians admit that they come in with some distinct disadvantages. For example, team roping is not an established sport in Canada, so their experience is limited. On the other hand, Canadian cowboys are traditionally strong in saddle bronc riding. Then, too, as Burwash points out, there's the emotional advantage. "We are a small group. We have maybe 15 full-time professional cowboys, so we act as a team already. We are always pulling for each other." Within the next few years, the Wrangler Showdown may well expand to include teams from other countries. For the appeal of the cowboy knows few boundaries.