How does one get into livestock & rodeo?

Question

I liked the Texas State Fair & National Rodeo Finals at the Cow Palace.

Answer 1

You could probably use any of the available orifii.

Answer 2

It helps if you have been around them your entire life and was more or less something you grew into!

So it completely depends on what you mean by get into? Are you wanting to compete in the competition(1) or do you want to raise the animals and train them(2), or just work the background of the rodeo(3).

1.) First you would really need to find out what competition is right for you. Then find the local organization in your county that hosts and organizes events, and you can watch. If you feel completely comfortable and you think it is something you want to do, I'd definitely find a practice pen or someone who can teach you!

2.) For raising the animals, like bucking bulls for example, Its a rough stock business and it's not just having bulls in your backyard, it's a lot to have them buck and what feed to feed them, that sort of thing. The best thing for you to do is to attend more of these events and speak with some of the stock contractors, and see if they might be willing to let you come down and shadow them for a little bit to see if this is something that you would actually want to put your money and time into.

3.) Once again find a local organization and just try and see if they have any openings available. You'll learn a lot just by being around it!

Obviously these aren't your only options! But it's what I could come up with from your question! If you're competing good luck! And if you're dealing with the animals, maybe I 'll run into you sometime!

I hope this helps a little!

Answer 3

Hey Dirty Duck, I think I understand what you are asking now. I've been to the Texas State Fair & National Rodeo Finals before. The Rodeo is the main event of the Fair, but the Fair is where you saw the animals that you are interested in. Animals are exhibited or entered into competition. This is a different thing from the Rodeo, which I doubt if you are interested in, except for watching it. There are two main ways to get into entering animals in the Fair. One is thru the 4-H and FFA programs and the other is general admission, where you would be competing against some fairly professional people. I don't know your age, but the 4-H or FFA would be your best bet. That is if you are young enough. If not you can go the general admission route. It doesn't sound like you have a lot of space for animals where you live and keeping a cow, pig, sheep, or goat at your friends is not a really a good option unless you can spend a lot of time over there every day. You could keep a couple of rabbit hutches in your back yard and raise rabbits to enter into the Fair. You will need to start out at your county fair and earn your way into the State Fair. Check with your local Extension County Agent and he can give you all the information you need on raising whatever animal you choose and how to get entered into the county fair. Good Luck.