Cowboys scale back as cost of fuel soars

Saddle bronc rider Heath DeMoss had the perfect rodeo vehicle.

A powerful truck, complete with a camper that allowed him and maybe a bronc-riding buddy or two to catch some sleep on the road.

But when fuel costs quadrupled, he had to re-evaluate what mattered most — comfort or cost?

"I traded it in for a Honda Civic," he said last week after competing in the Days of '47 Rodeo. "It gets 40 miles to the gallon."

Rodeo is a sport that relies on the willingness of athletes — full-time professionals as well as part-time participants — to travel hundreds of miles each year and then pay to compete. From local cowboys to national rodeo officials, it's an issue that is increasingly troubling to all who love not just the events, but the way of life they support.

"The price of fuel is a very, very big deal," said Chris Harris, of Texas. "It's making it dang near impossible for people to rodeo."

He is traveling with his wife, who is a barrel racer, and he said they get 12 miles to the gallon when they're hauling the horse trailer.

"We crossed off a few (rodeos) because they're too far away," he said. "I think a lot of guys aren't doing as many because of the price of fuel."

It's not just a problem that concerns the cowboys.

"There is a real fear in rodeo right now that those rodeos later in the year will be impacted," said Days of '47 chairman Brad Harmon. "The race is to get to the National Finals Rodeo. Everyone used to compete in every rodeo no matter what. But I think if a guy is way out of it or definitely in (the top 15), then they might skip those rodeos."

One thing that's become more prevalent is cowboys sharing horses. Some say they'll leave their horses in one city, fly to another and just borrow a friend's horse in hopes of saving a little money. Some even leave horses in key cities that allow them to have several centers of operation.

"We'll see them start sharing horses more," Harmon said. "Cowboys are tough. They'll work it out."

In fact, the pain at the pump may actually help the Wilderness Circuit, which includes Utah, Idaho and Nevada. Some cowboys said it's the best-paying circuit and there are dozens of rodeos within a few hundreds miles of each other.