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Goobie, who was raised in Springdale and now lives in Siloam Springs, will be performing this Thursday, Friday and Sat- urday at the 62nd annual Siloam Springs Rodeo. "It works," said Smith, who is a teacher and as- sistant football coach in the Siloam Springs School District. "Usually clowns have nicknames. Goobie's always stuck in the rodeo world. I was called that before I became a clown." Like many areas of life, the rodeo world has been affected by the covid-19 pandemic and Smith's role as a rodeo clown is no different. The Siloam Springs Rodeo will be the fifth he's worked this season, joining rodeos in Moline, Kan.; Erie, Kan.; Cullman, Ala., and Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Because of the pandem - ic, he's missed around 27 rodeos. He said he works anywhere from 70 to 90 rodeos in a year. There's a definite fi- nancial hit, but he said the biggest void is the emotional aspect of not getting to see people he works with in different states. "You have relationships with people all across the country," Smith said. "So far I've missed out in seeing people that I've built relationships with in Michigan, Wyoming, Tennessee, Alabama, all the places I travel to. It'll be two years before I get to see them again. That's probably the biggest im - pact it's made. There's one thing about rodeo that people don't understand. It's a competition, but ro- deo is a big family. It really is. There's a huge love and socialization and camara- derie there." The Siloam Springs Rodeo typically marks the beginning of a special run for local cowboys and cowgirls, Smith said. With the Siloam Springs Ro - deo being pushed back a month and the much larg- er Springdale Rodeo of the Ozarks being canceled all together, it's been a tough time for those in the rodeo business. "This time of year is what's called Cowboy Christmas," he said. "The Siloam Rodeo is usu - ally kind of the beginning point of Cowboy Christ- mas, which is the end of June through the begin- ning of July, it's the Fourth of July run. Some of these cowboys and cowgirls will hit literally 40 to 50 ro- deos in a four-week time period. It's the most sig- nificant time of any one season because it's when the most money can be earned. A lot of these indi- viduals are struggling, and I guess the biggest impact is going to be on the year- end result." Because of all that, Smith is looking for this week's rodeo to be a big event for the region. "I'm looking forward to a packed house every night," Smith said. "I think our communities around Northwest Arkan - sas are looking for some- thing to do. Being that this is an activity that's outdoors I know that's going to help. I know the contestant list is going to be a very large contestant list. We're going to have a lot of former world cham - pions. I can tell you that without looking. With Springdale canceling, a lot of individuals they only get to make one or two rodeos as a fan. … Siloam's a great rodeo. For an amateur rodeo, it's one of the best in the country." And Smith's job will be to help entertain the fans. "You have to get the crowd into the event and make them feel like they are a part of what's hap - pening, which is a great thing," Smith said. "Our cowboys and contestants feed off the energy and excitement the crowd provides. Part of my job is to provide that without overdoing it. Sometimes if you ask too much out of somebody you get burned out pretty easy. Through - out the duration of a two- hour event you've got to know when to do it, but at the same time the job's very serious. I'm there to entertain fans, but I'm also there for cowboy protection and make sure the cowboys are safe and everyone gets home to their families." Smith added it will be a little bit different this year with the pandemic. "Usually I'll get into the stands and interact and have a lot of fun with in - dividuals," Smith said. "It makes my job more dif- ficult because I can't have that close interaction I do with fans on a normal basis. I'll probably stay inside the arena more, which that's part of my job anyway to make sure the surrounding area is safe. The interaction's not going to quite be there." Wednesday, July 15, 2020 n 7B Siloam Springs Herald-Leader • 24 Hr. Service • Air Duct cleAning • repAirS On All BrAnDS 479-524-0759 ActiOn HEATING & COOLING It's Rodeo Time In Siloam Come out and enjoy the festivities! Savannah Dickinson & Cindy Philpott 4970 Hwy 412 East Siloam Springs, AR 72761 479-524-6754 THE BEST PLACE TO FINANCE COUNTRY HOMES HOME CONSTRUCTION LAND AND MORE 880 S. Lincoln St. • Siloam Springs 479-524-3760 • Alternator, Starter & Generator Service • Hydraulic Hose Assemblies We support Siloam Rodeo! Siloam 62nd Annual Springs Graham Thomas/Herald-Leader Rodeo clown Michael "Goobie" Smith visits with a youngster after mutton busting at the 2019 Siloam Springs Rodeo. Clown Continued from Page 1B You could say bits and bridles run in Emily My- ers' blood. Both Myers' mother and grandmother rode horses, so naturally, they sought out Emily's interest in the animal as well. Today, Myers works with her horse, Annie, and trains as a routine rider for the Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders, a horsemanship performance team. The Ozark Rounders was established in 1995 to serve as ambassadors for the Rodeo of the Ozarks, according to the organiza - tion's website. The team is comprised of 26 perform- ers this year, according to the organization's website. Myers began riding hors- es at 4 years old and she grew up pursuing an inter- est in horses and animals. She joined the Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders as an ambassador when she was 9 years old, as well as Future Farmers of America and 4-H through the Si - loam Springs public school system. "I love getting to work with horses and see things at the rodeos," Myers said. "At the Springdale rodeo, big names go to that one. Barrel races, tiedown rop - ers — people that are really good at what they do." While she isn't currently training to compete in rodeos, she said she has an interest in barrel racing and breakaway roping. As an Ozark Round - ers routine rider, Myers trains alongside flag girls and other routine riders. Routine riders train to perform at three rodeos a year, namely Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale, the Siloam Springs Rodeo and the Sallisaw Lion's Club Rodeo in Sallisaw, Okla. Flag girls assist routine riders in attending rodeos and heed the teachings of routine riders so they may one day become a routine rider, Myers said. Having climbed the ranks of the Ozark Round - ers, Myers said being in a position to teach others about horses and riding is her favorite part about what she does. "When I was that young, I remember wanting to have people show me what it was like," she said. "So I try to do that the best I can with younger kids because if they get into it at a young age, they'll stick with it." The Ozark Rounders is coached by Sach and Codi Oliver, according to the organization's website. Anyone interested in more information about the Ozark Rounders can visit rodeooftheozarks.org. Myers continues family horse legacy By Sierra Bush Special to the Herald-Leader Photo submitted Emily Myers of Siloam Springs will perform this week with the Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders at the Siloam Springs Rodeo. Photo submitted Emily Myers, of Siloam Springs, rides with the American Flag at a previous rodeo event.