What's The Dirt On Arena Dirt?

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Madi Roelofsen | Last updated Mar 8, 2024 6:00 PM ET

When going to a rodeo for the first time, spectators might notice the large tractors in the arena. They occasionally drive around the arena with equipment that stirs up the dirt. This is a vital part of the sport of rodeo and of each individual event because if the arena ground is unsafe, it puts the competitors and livestock in danger.

This a relatively new practice in the rodeo community but the idea is catching on.

"It's like all the other sports. In football, they changed to where used to be able to tackle and hit, but now it's considering the player's safety," said Colton Dugan. "This is the same in rodeo. It's evolving to care about the high dollar equine athletes and competitors alike."

Dugan has been behind the wheel of a tractor prepping the ground for barrel races and rodeos alike since he was 14 years old, that's over 15 years of experience. Dugan is now the owner and operator of Ground and Sound By Colton. He gets contracted out to be over the arena ground for multiple Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeos as well as massive barrel races, including being flown over to Italy for their barrel races.

With his impressive knowledge and commitment to the arena ground, he won the PRCA's Best Footing award for the Stephenville Texas Pro Rodeo and Eastland Stampede Pro Rodeo.

"People don't realize how important the ground is. If it's too shallow or has too much moisture it can affect the horse," said Dugan. "It's not just the barrel horses that need good ground. Pick-up horses and team roping horses need to be able to stand up and turn, and they're dallied off onto another animal. The ground has to be able to hold them up, too."

Many rodeo committees have started opening up to the tractors dragging more often in the rodeos, especially in between barrel racers. When barrel racers whip around barrels, their horses plant their hooves to dig deep, turn, and push off. This causes deep holes and ruts in the dirt, making them increasingly shifty the more horses that run around them. This is why it is vital to drag and redo the dirt after five or so runners.

"Rodeos shouldn't be afraid to rip the ground; it makes it better for all the competitors," said Dugan, who has become quite the activist for safe ground because safe is also fast. "It used to not be as important because, well, if you hauled to a jackpot or rodeo, that was usually the only option, and you just had to deal with it. The sport is evolving for the better."

Next time you spectate a rodeo, make sure to look for the tractors. They might add a few minutes to the event, but they're there to keep the arena safe for the animals and competitors alike.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: