It is hard to believe that Rodeo season is coming up, and I for one am extremely excited about this year’s events. It is always a grand time when you are in the arena watching the cowboys in the saddle, or not, participating in this sport that is a part of American history. I love covering the sport, but I especially love taking photos of the cowboys, rodeo ambassadors and entertainment as they compete and interact with the crowds that find the rodeo weekend home each year.
It is hard to believe that Rodeo season is coming up, and I for one am extremely excited about this year’s events. It is always a grand time when you are in the arena watching the cowboys in the saddle, or not, participating in this sport that is a part of American history. I love covering the sport, but I especially love taking photos of the cowboys, rodeo ambassadors and entertainment as they compete and interact with the crowds that find the rodeo weekend home each year. And each year is different, one of the things that I believe makes this rodeo in particular so enjoying. The fact that the Lakeside Rodeo, organized by the El Capitan Association, utilizes all of its profits to help the kids in Lakeside with almost anything they need. The rodeo might only last a weekend, but the benefits to the children of Lakeside and their schools are a year-round benefit to the Lakeside community.
But there have been some changes made by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), that patrons of the sport need to know. There seems to be always the bad apples that spoil the whole bunch for everyone, and this is what has happened with the PRCA rodeos across the nation. With today’s technology, people are using the various types of cameras and video recorders to shoot videos and take photographs, and selling them for their own benefit. The PRCA has professionals that take photos and videos at every rodeo performance and they are used for future marketing and sold for profit. It is a major portion economically in keeping the PRCA and the sport of rodeo alive and well.
So here is what you need to know about what you cannot bring into the rodeo grounds or you will not be admitted. Tickets purchased or not. This mandate comes directly from the PRCA and the El Capitan Stadium Association is required to abide by these new rules.
This comes directly from the Lakeside Rodeo website, in detail, on the PRCA’s policy for cameras and video recorders.
“The Lakeside Rodeo, El Capitan Stadium Association and the PRCA sanctioning body do not allow for the video recording, transmission, distribution, or selling of any description, account, picture, video, audio or other form or performance or slack event will result in your immediate removal from the premises.”
It is important to note that all bags, jackets, and blankets will be searched upon entry into the grounds and are subject to security search during the event also.
Camera bags, cameras with detachable lens, tripods, and monopods, GoPro, GoPro with GoPro stick, selfie stick and drones will not be allowed inside the Lakeside Rodeo grounds. No photography or video devices will be allowed inside the Lakeside inside the Lakeside Rodeo Arena excepting PRCA approved professionals and are required to wear a Lakeside Rodeo badge at all times while on rodeo grounds.
This makes it difficult, even for the professionals that are covering the event. Now, for entrance to cover the sport, we have to be approved by the PRCA, not the Lakeside Rodeo. Which means an early preparation for us that cover the sport to be approved to take photographs and videos for media outlets. In our agreement, our signature confirms that we will not use any material captured by any media form for personal financial gain. Although it is a bother to have to start so early (like trying to get into Comic-Con, it is my belief it is in the best interest of the sport and the future of rodeo.
So do yourself a favor, and do not try to bring in professional camera and video gear and spend your time enjoying the sport. It is for the good of the sport and why take the chance of missing the wonderful things the rodeo has to offer.
