Slackers are actually busy

Forty years ago, rodeos lasted long into the night because of the amount of participants. Instead of limiting the number of contestants, rodeo officials created slack.

Slack is a preliminary round that goes on during the day when tickets aren't needed and few are watching. But the scores count.

This week's Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo kicks off at 7 p.m. today at Colorado Springs World Arena. But slack began Tuesday at 8 a.m. and continues at 8 a.m. today.

It ends when they get through all the participants and events.

Tuesday's round ended around 3 p.m.

Slack is limited to the timed events -- tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping.

The rough stock events -- barrel racing, bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding -- usually don't need slack because the number of contestants isn't as high.

Tickets aren't sold because of the limited number of events and because the entertainment at a regular rodeo is not provided.

"It's usually just family or people who know the cowboys who come," said Rose Kinney, public relations coordinator of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. "We don't usually get a lot of the public."

At a rodeo, there is usually some form of entertainment, whether it be acrobats, comedy acts, a magic show or trick riding.

This year Troy Lerwill, a former professional motorcross bike racer-turned clown, will be performing stunts on his bike. Lerwill, known as the "Wild Child," plans to jump a truck and trailer on his motorcycle. He's been voted the best comedy act the past two years by the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Even without the entertainment, fans have the chance to see their favorite stars. At the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, a computer randomly selects when a competitor will compete, which means many of the world's top stars in the timed events will be competing today.

Clint Cooper, son of hall-of-famer Roy Cooper, will compete in tie- down roping. Reigning steer wrestling world champion Teddy Johnson will compete during the day and seven-time team roping world champs, Speed Williams and Rich Skelton, are competing in slack as well.

After slack and the other preliminary rounds, the 12 best times in each event move to Sunday's final.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0215 or snorris@gazette.com

WHO TO WATCH DURING SLACK

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Clint Cooper -- Considered a rising star in the rodeo, Cooper is the son of rodeo hall-offamer Roy Cooper. Clint just won the tie- down event at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Cody Ohl -- Ohl is the 2003 and five-time tiedown world champion.

STEER WRESTLING

Birch Negaard -- Negaard is No. 14 in the world and has been to nine National Finals Rodeos.

Sean Greenfield -- Ranked No. 12 in the world.

Teddy Johnson -- The reigning world champion and No. 2 in the world.

TEAM ROPING

Steve Purcella and Brett Bockius -- No. 1 in the world.

Speed Williams and Rich Skelton -- The two have won a record- tying seven consecutive world titles. They are ranked No. 7 in the world.

BARREL RACING

Kelly Yates -- She is a native of Pueblo and finished No. 12 in the world in 2003.

SCHEDULE

When: Today-Sunday, 7 p.m. daily except 1:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: World Arena

Tickets: $8, $12.50, $16.50, $26.50; $2 off the two mid-price tickets for children ages 2-12, seniors 65 or older and military with ID. Order at www.ticketswest.com, visit or call World Arena box office 526-2626, Independent Records in Colorado Springs, Security and Pueblo; King Soopers, Citadel Mall information desk and ITR office at Fort Carson

Parking: $5 per car Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame induction: 10 a.m. Saturday

Copyright 2004
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