Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1131370
members began work on the upgrades in mid-April. The club was able to accomplish a lot despite the rainy weather and resulting mud, thanks to help from volunteers in the club and the community, Trogdon and Davis said. The new bucking chutes and sorting pens have several safety features for humans and animals, Davis said. They were also constructed to be easily movable in the future if necessary, she said. "A lot of it was a safety issue," Karen said. "They were really old and these are newer and safer." Once the old bucking chutes were torn down, it became apparent that they played a role in bracing the announcer's stand, so it had to be torn down as well, Trogdon said. "They didn't intend to have to tear the announcer's stand down so that was another expense," Davis said. "We had to come up with a large sum of money and also go to the bank (for a loan)." The new stand is smaller, but it meets the club's needs, Davis said. Davis and Trogdon are hopeful the improvements will pay off in years to come. Last year, more than 420 competitors from eight states and 6,000 spectators took part in the three-night rodeo, Davis said. However, the rodeo grounds are busy year- round, hosting events up to three nights a week during the summer months, including Monday night barrel races and Tuesday night play days, she said. In addition, two Ozark Junior Rodeo Association events take place at the Siloam Springs Rodeo Grounds, as well as other bucking stock and ranch rodeo events throughout the year. The horse industry, which includes rodeos, has an impact on the state and national economy. In Arkansas, approximately 65,000 households own a horse or other equine, and the equine population of Arkansas is estimated to be 168,000, according to the Arkansas Farm Bureau website, www. arfb.com. The average cost of horse ownership in the state is $3,000 per year and horse owners must pay the costs of ownership whether or not they are actively competing in rodeos or other equine events. Nationally, the horse industry contributed approximately $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2017 and directly created 988,394 jobs with wages, salaries and benefits totaling an additional $38 billion, according to the American Horse Council website, www.horsecouncil. org/economics/. The direct effect creates ripples in other sectors of the economy that are estimated to contribute a total of $122 billion to the U.S. economy and create 1.7 million jobs. 61 st Annual Siloam Springs Rodeo 10B n Wednesday, June 19, 2019 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader There will be a parade announcer — Jeremy Weir — in the park. "We moved it mainly because of the heat and trying to get more people to participate," Davis said. "There's more going on downtown at that time of the day." • • • Also on Saturday morning will be the Rodeo Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Masonic Key Lodge No. 7 of Siloam Springs. The breakfast will be from 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 22, at First United Methodist Church, located at 325 E. Twin Springs. Pancakes, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee will be served. Pre-sale tickets are $5 or $20 for five tickets. Tickets are $6 at the door. Children 6 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Proceeds go to Masonic operations and charities, which include the Siloam Springs scholarship program. For more information, contact 479-549-7441. GROUNDS Continued from Page 1B RODEO Continued from Page 1B Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader The Siloam Springs Rodeo Grounds have undergone $70,000 worth of upgrades to improve the safety of people and animals. The improvements include new bucking chutes, stock pens, loading ramps and billboards for sponsor signs, as well as a new announcer's booth. 1005 1510 N Main 9119 Hwy 279 Adriana Jessen/Special to the Herald-Leader A young rider proudly held his flag while competing in a flag race at the Siloam Springs Riding Club on June 11. The recently upgraded rodeo grounds not only host annual rodeo, but also serve as a venue for events such as play nights and barrel races year round. Emily Jessen/Special to the Herald-Leader The new bucking chutes at the Siloam Springs Rodeo Grounds are safer for competitors, rodeo personnel and animals.