The bulls are back in town this
weekend after foot-and-mouth scare
By Eric B. Pilgrim,
Stars and Stripes
Axel Geyer |
RHEIN-MAIN AB, Germany — The bulls are back at the Rhein-Main
rodeo, Rodeo USA officials announced Tuesday.
Because of foot-and-mouth concerns, officials thought the bucking
bovines would miss a chance to toss cowboys at this weekend’s festivities.
“We are lucky. We found out May 18 that the [foot-and-mouth
disease] ban was lifted,” said Axel Geyer, the assistant manager of Rodeo USA.
“We can now have the full show.”
Before May 18, Geyer said rodeo-goers would get a much smaller show
featuring only horse events, such as bareback and saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and
other timed events.
“The bulls are everybody’s favorite, with the cowboys and
the spectators, so there was concern. Now a lot of people will come, especially now that
we have the bulls back,” Geyer said.
The Air Force Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored event promises
more than just a bunch of bulls. There are rides, games, live country and western music,
an antique car show and ranch-sized helpings of chili.
Besides the traditional rodeo clown humor, French-Canadian rope
trickster Jack Rogers will return. He’ll spin plenty of yarns during intermissions.
Also featured is a trick-riding troupe from Belgium.
Alan Jacob, a World War II veteran who served with the U.S. Marines,
created the American-style rodeo in 1970, first opening in Berlin. Although U.S. forces
have long since packed up and moved out of Berlin, the rodeo still opens to big reviews
each year. Geyer said more than 50,000 visitors came out to see a rodeo at Rhein-Main last
year.
Geyer said he expects similar crowds this year.
Base commander Col. Stephen Nelson said those crowds provide a lot of
help for their MWR programs. Rodeo USA last year raked in about $30,000, according to
figures quoted by base officials.
“With funding the way it is these days, it’s a big
help,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Stefan Alford, the base spokesman.
This year’s show features 24 horses, six bulls, six calves and
about 150 cowboys coming to Rhein-Main looking for pay dirt.
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