Rodeo Preparations

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Story Published: Mar 16, 2008 at 9:45 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 12:20 PM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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The Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo starts in Pocatello this week, and for the next 48 hours volunteers will be getting the Holt Arena ready. They have to create a dirt floor, and set-up all the stands by Tuesday.

One truck after another has been driving down into the Holt Arena today with dirt. Don Moore, Arena Director for the Pocatello Frontier Rodeo Association said, "We started yesterday about noon. We set-up the ties that contain all the arena. This dirt will probably be done by about, uh, probably within a couple of hours."

They'll be piling dirt and sand about 12-inches deep across the entire floor of the arena. Altogether they have to bring in about 170 truck-loads, or about 2000 yards of dirt. They'll also bring in several loads of sand to mix with the dirt in order to prevent clumping-which could injure some of the animals. "If the cowboy did anything he is fined. There are some very stiff fines for injuring an animal even if it was unintentional," said Moore.

Once they finish bringing in all of the dirt and getting it level then the crews can start assembling the stands and shoots. A process that'll likely take them late into the night today and continue again tomorrow. But everyone says they are happy to spend the time for the rodeo. "If anybody comes they will have a great time," said Moore.

Unfortunately, the volunteers won't get much of a break. They'll be back in the Holt Arena next weekend to take everything apart, and to get all of the dirt back out.

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