CLN Insider: Meet the Payson Pro Rodeo Committee

As rodeos try to figure out the new normal and still raise money for what they believe in, the CLN team wanted to take a closer look at the folks that host our very own, Payson Pro Rodeo. Being on a rodeo committee is a lot of things and it takes a lot a special kind of person to be able to commit the time and energy that is required of them to put on a show. Putting on a rodeo is like running a well-oiled machine, everyone has their part and each part needs to run in order for the show to go off without a hitch. We able to ask a few questions to the rodeo committee about their jobs and how long they have been volunteering with the Payson Pro Rodeo. Take a look!

We would like to introduce to you, three gentlemen that put their heart and soul into this event, as they have been gracious enough to answer a few questions about why they do what they do. First, we have John Landino, who is the Director of Marketing and Sponsorship Relations, he has been with the committee for 20 years. We asked him what his favorite memory was of volunteering with the rodeo and this is what he said,

I remember helping set up Patriot night and seeing the fans react to the tribute to our Fallen, Wounded and Returning Vets – with patriotic enthusiasm. There’s nothing quite like it.

Next, we had the chance to chat with Dean Bell, he is the official Livestock Welfare Coordinator for the Payson Pro Rodeo. He has been volunteering with the committee for seven years, we asked him what makes the Payson Pro Rodeo so special and his response was.

Our August rodeo is not only the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, it’s one of the only, if not the only, pro rodeo that takes place in the Turquoise Circuit that same week. People from all over the state, the West and many different parts of the world come here for it.

We also asked him about what his favorite memory of working the rodeo is, and he replied with,

Getting to be a part of the action inside the arena again after ten years outta’ the saddle, so to speak, when I retired from bronc riding.

Now you might be asking yourself, but what does a Livestock Welfare Coordinator do? It has become increasingly important to protect the world of rodeo and part of that is educating people and protecting the animals as well. Animal welfare is a major and ongoing initiative of the PRCA and all its rodeos. Not only does the association have rules to ensure the proper care and treatment of rodeo livestock, but it also has several veterinary advisory panels and periodically hosts educational seminars for veterinarians and rodeo industry members. Essentially, Dean is one on the committee that goes above and beyond to make sure the animals are taken care of and able to perform at tip-top shape.

Our last interview we were able to snag was with Wes Still, the Secretary of Payson Pro Rodeo Committee. He has spent many years as a volunteer off and on and has been a member of the Committee since 2010. We asked Wes about what makes the Payson Pro Rodeo so special and his response was,

We are one of the few Committees that produces two Annual Rodeos and the only Committee to produce the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo.

Along the same lines, we couldn’t help but ask what Wes’s favorite memory was of volunteering with the committee and he recalled a time when he was,

Running into the parking lot in a downpour to help park cars, while others found cover to dry out and warm up.