Cowboys hope a leaner rodeo in San Antonio still can ride on
Public officials call for postponement, but organizers are set to move forward
Cancellations of major rodeos in Fort Worth, Denver and Houston this year already didn’t sit well with Cody DeMoss.
After a 2020 season shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, the loss of three major rodeos in 2021 was a hard blow for the veteran saddle bronc rider from Heflin, La. — and for hundreds of competitors like him, forced to chase fewer opportunities to perform and smaller purses for the winners.
When told there were calls from some public officials — led by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff — to postpone the popular San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, set to begin this week at Freeman Coliseum, DeMoss couldn’t hide his displeasure, a feeling he felt down to his boots.
“It’s like a big kick in the (groin),” he said. “I don’t know who the elected officials are down there, but this whole thing is a load of crap. It’s political and it’s (expletive)”
As of now, the 72nd San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is scheduled to begin Thursday and run through Feb. 28 at the coliseum, where it was held from 1950 to 2003 before moving next door to the AT&T Center.
But fearing the spread of COVID-19 during the rodeo and entertainment events, Wolff recently sent a letter to Nancy Loeffler, chairwoman of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, suggesting “that it would be better to postpone the rodeo for now.”
The livestock exposition replied the next day, expressing its plan to move forward with the scaled-down event, stating the “precautionary (safety) measures we are implementing during the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo not only adheres to, but also exceeds current local and state health guidelines.”
The rodeo itself begins Friday, with a limited crowd of about 3,800 fans (45 percent of capacity) attending each of the 14 performances, down from 22 in past years.
Other major changes to this year’s rodeo are in order, topped by the steep reduction in prize money from $1.6 million a year ago to $700,000. Prize money for the Xtreme Bulls competition, which takes place next Sunday, was reduced from $100,000 to $25,000.
The smaller purses are the result of fewer performances and limited seating at the coliseum, which, according to rodeo officials, was the more viable — and affordable — option this year in light of the restrictions forced by the pandemic.
“The cost just to turn the lights on at the AT&T Center vs. Freeman Coliseum is quite different,” said Lauren Sides, spokesperson for the rodeo. “This allows us to better fulfill our mission.”
According to the organization’s website, the rodeo has awarded nearly $223 million to Texas youths through scholarships, endowments, grants and other programs since 1984.
Rodeo cowboys, like DeMoss, say postponing and possibly canceling the event at this late date would be a big mistake.
DeMoss, 40, and others fear that postponing the event is one step from cancellation. Officials with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo postponed its traditional February/March start to May, then canceled the event altogether amid health and safety concerns brought about by COVID-19.
“It would be a big deal if they ended up canceling,” said 2013 tie-down roping world champion Shane Hanchey of Carmine, northwest of Houston. “At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised at anything, but I sure would be upset if they canceled San Antonio.”
Despite the reduced purse structure, Hanchey said San Antonio still ranks as one of the favorites among cowboys. It’s one of the few rodeos that pay a contestant’s entry fee, and the hospitality is regarded among the best on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association tour.
Hanchey, 32, will be making his 12th straight appearance in San Antonio. He is scheduled to compete Feb. 22-23. He won the gold buckle in 2019.
Like the fans, cowboys will be temperature screened and must wear a face mask at all times unless they’re competing.
Hanchey said the only time he’s been required to take a COVID-19 test was at the National Finals Rodeo, which took place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, where the Texas Rangers play. It was moved from its usual home in Las Vegas because of safety concerns over COVID.
Hanchey said he’ll comply with the masking requirement but doesn’t agree with the concept.
He said he recently returned from the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D., where he said he and his buddies were told at an airport restaurant they had to wear masks even while eating.
“How do you even do that? I felt like a puppet,” he said. “In essence, we’re being told how to live our lives. That’s not the American way.”
Hanchey said he’s grateful “San Antonio is sticking its neck out” and moving ahead with the rodeo as planned.
“I realize lives are at risk. I just wish people would use more common sense,” he said. “If you’re afraid you might catch something, don’t go. But I’m 32 and an athlete. If I came down with the virus, I feel I could survive it.”
Wyatt Bloom is a 27-year-old bareback rider from Belgrade, Mont. He said he doesn’t agree with a lot of the restrictions but tries to comply to be “as safe as I can.”
Social distancing is not a problem for him.
“I’m pretty quiet and stay to myself most of the time anyway,” he said.
Not having the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo would “definitely be a bummer.”
“It’s a big part of the year, a chance to make some real money. I hope and pray they have it,” he said.
DeMoss is counting on it. He said the prize money, although reduced from years past, would be welcome after COVID forced many rodeos to cancel in 2020, which was a year like no other.
DeMoss said he went to 87 rodeos this past season, many of them at smaller venues “I had never been to,” and won just $47,000.
“I still love what I do,” he said. “But it’s getting to the point where guys have to decide if rodeo is really going to pay the bills or it’s time to go get a job.”
He said most cowboys don’t agree with the mask mandate, saying “nobody can breathe through that sucker” and the moment the rodeo is over they rip the masks off “and huddle around the beer chest.”
“I understand COVID is a real thing,” DeMoss said.
He said his own bout with COVID was a little bit like “having a hangover.”
When told Bexar County commissioners are considering requiring and paying for rapid testing for all rodeo attendees, DeMoss shuddered and said he hoped the requirement would not extend to contestants.
“If they started doing that, I would not be rodeoing,” he said.