The Rodeo Way

In celebration of the Western Heritage, the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo will start the night with a traditional prayer and song.

The Cowboy Prayer

Our gracious and Heavenly Father, We pause in the midst of this festive occasion, mindful and thoughtful of the guidance that You have given us.

As cowboys, Lord, we don't ask for any special favors. We ask only that you will let us compete in this arena as in life's arena.

We don't ask that we never break a barrier, draw a steer that won't lay, draw around a chute-fighting horse or a bull that is impossible to ride.

Help us compete in life as honest as the horse we ride and in a manner as clean and pure as the wind that blows across this western country.

So, when we make that last ride, that we know is inevitable, to the country up there — where the grass is green and lush and stirrup high and the water runs crystal clear and deep, You will tell us, as we enter that Arena, our entry fees are paid.

We ask these things in Christ's name.

Prayer By Clem McSpadden

God Bless the USA

by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.
That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Livestock Welfare

In the sport of rodeo, cowboys share the limelight with the rodeo livestock. For a cowboy to compete, the livestock also must be in peak condition. Both are athletes in their own right. The very nature of rodeo requires a working relationship, and in some events a partnership, between the cowboys and animal athletes.

Carbondale Wild West Rodeo athletes value their animals, as do our stock contractors that provide the livestock for our series. Like most people, Carbondale Rodeo participants believe animals should be provided proper care and treatment.

Like a well-conditioned athlete, an animal can perform well only if it is healthy. Any cowboy will tell you he can compete only when the animal is in top form. Stock contractors, the ranchers who raise and provide livestock to rodeos, also have an obvious financial interest in keeping the animals healthy. Simple logic dictates that no sensible businessperson would abuse an animal that is expected to perform in the future.

Many – if not most – of the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo participants have more than an economic tie to animals. Nearly all have lived and worked around animals for most of their lives, and they possess a high degree of respect and fondness for the livestock.

Anyone who attends a Carbondale Wild West rodeo can be assured that the greatest care has been taken to prevent injury to animals or contestants.