News & Views
……from the general manager
November 24, 2005
The 2005 rodeo season has come to a close my friends, what a season it has been, the finals finished with the largest payout ever, the crowds were good and things came off with few glitches. I would like to congratulate the 2005 Champions; many were decided at the finals, also to the new Miss UPRA 2006, Brittany Wheeler. One of my goals many years ago was to have a finals with $80,000.00 added, goal accomplished. Not that we're where we need to be, but certainly headed in the right direction with contestant money. It will be tough to repeat the things we've accomplished this year, but certainly it will be the goal.
The finals rodeo takes a lot of effort from a host of people, it starts with the local rodeo committee in Sulphur Springs, the Hopkins County Rodeo Board, these folks work hard on this project; the Handicapable Rodeo itself is a major undertaking, yet they are successful each and every year. We cannot express our thanks to these folks enough, without them; things would be difficult at best.
I would also like to thank the stock contractors for supporting and being part of the UPRA. We had nine contractors at the finals this year, most ever; I'd like to see that number increase even more. One thing I do know is this, we've done a pretty good job with increases in prize money for contestants, but we must create a way to pay our contractors better at the finals, the money is ok now, but ok is not good enough, it needs to be more, a lot more, like double or triple the pay of today. This will not happen overnight, heck not even in a year or so, but if we make it a priority, it could happen sooner than later. Some, in fact many may disagree with me on this subject, however I will not give up on trying to make it happen. Our stock contractors are very loyal, they along with our contestants are the backbone of this association, and like our contestants, should be rewarded. Of course we all know, our ability to be successful and generate funds will dictate our actions. No funds, no action pretty much sums it up, but then again that applies to the association as a whole.
We had more rodeo committees attend the finals this year than we've ever had, a big thank you to them too, the hard work on your local rodeos helps us have a successful finals. I hope all enjoyed themselves and gained some insight on how this association operates and what it’s all about.
The UPRA finals had fifteen contestants in each event, but many association finals have not, especially in the rough stock events. We had to go deep into the standings to fill the horse events. I do believe we will see a reduced number of contestants qualified to finals rodeos in the future, not only is it difficult to fill the roster in some events, with fifteen contestants its very difficult to produce a timely performance. What's the magic number, if I was guessing, I'd say 12; others say 10.
The sport of rodeo is sure to undergo some changes this coming year, both on the professional and amateur level. We have to find a way to control cost, everything is way more expensive today than it was just a year ago and it’s sure to have an impact. Toward the end of the rodeo season, we experienced a drop in entries at every level, not only the UPRA, but most rodeo associations, I can only hope and pray those entries get back to the same level as the first of the season. If so, we will be able to move ahead with the same ambitious budget as in the past, if entries decrease, serious budget adjustments will be necessary to maintain financial stability.
The board of directors placed a bid on the UPRA membership rodeo in Sulphur Springs last month; I was informed at the finals the board has received the contract. Our bid includes giving each finals stock contractor a chance to participate in the March Membership Rodeo. We want our stock contractors to be a part of this, it's big; with several contractors we can have the best of the best; this will make the membership rodeo even better. As you can see, the 2006 rodeo season plans are already well underway.
Finals times are very busy for me, in fact so much so I often miss the best part, the rodeo itself. It also keeps me from another thing I really enjoy, visiting with contestants, stock contractors, personnel and committees, not only do I enjoy the conversations (most of the time, haha) I use those conservations as a tool to learn what the membership is thinking, what’s good, what’s not and so on. Rodeo folks for the most part are not shy and usually tell it like it is or at least like they think it is; often in conservation like this, I get an opportunity to explain things, sometimes this can change negatives into positives. I’d love to hear from some of you, your thoughts and comments on the finals and/or anything regarding the association, direct email to me is upra@aol.com. I may even post some of your thoughts, comments or questions, along with my reply here for all to see. (..and no you don’t have to use your name if ya don’t want.)
2006 – 2008 Officer and Director Nomination ballots will be in the December issue of the Cowboy Sports News, voting ballots will be in the January issue of the Cowboy Sports News, please take time to look at the ballot, if you feel your director and/or officers are doing a good job, take the time to send in a ballot of support, if you feel they are not, nominate someone you feel will do a better job. This association is run by a board of directors, make sure your event is represented by someone that will participate in the process; representation can only happen by participation.
I would like to thank the UPRA Board of Directors for all their hard work at the finals and throughout the year, their dedication to the sport of rodeo and to this association is what makes it one of the best.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!
………….until next time………Jerry P. Hill
for the legal stuff:
The opinions expressed within this column are solely those of the author, and not necessarily those of urodeo.com or the United Professional Rodeo Association.
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