The show must go on.
That order originated when the Barnum & Bailey Circus was touring the country and often had travel problems with their entourage. Yet, producers were committed to every performance opening exactly when scheduled and seldom failed.
Rodeos have followed that philosophy, clearly stating in all advertising: “Rain or shine.”Certainly, many rodeos have been in heavy rain, thunder and lightning storms. We’ve been present when it was raining so hard one could barely see the contestants.
One memory is of 1963, when we’d just had our first horse for a few months, and had the opportunity to ride in the Strong City Rodeo parade when we received a free ticket to the rodeo that night and rode in the grand entry, too. We were just 12, yet we vividly remember a downpour during the entire parade, so everything was drenched.
Many of the riders stayed over and rode in the grand entry, but the rain never let up the entire afternoon and evening. Our cowboy friend and us did take the horses home, but we returned for further soaking at the rodeo. We’ve repeated that sequence many
times.
In the mid-’60s, saddle club members owned roping steers and had practice sessions every other Thursday night all summer. As much as we missed, we roped with the crowd. Not once was the regular gathering canceled. Sometimes, it was pouring rain the entire evening, mud was hip-deep on us, ropes slick and slimy, but the roping always continued.
Horse show participants are a somewhat different crowd than the rodeo group, whatever that means, but we’ve competed in many horse shows and shodeos of days gone by when intense rain continued and conditions worsened.
Likewise, we’ve judged a number of shows in very inclement weather, where over boots, raincoats and hat covers were essential. A few times, we couldn’t mark our official card due to the wet conditions, so we had to just point out placings to the ring crew.
Attitudes have changed for at least some horse groups. With many indoor show facilities these days, competitions do go on regardless of what it’s like outside. However, frequently horse shows, jackpots and even occasionally a rodeo will be postponed, or sometimes canceled, when it’s raining, or even just very muddy.
Oh, we understand there are hazards of having those events when conditions are undesirable. Lightning is always a real threat, and horses can more easily slip and fall,
increasing the risk both to themselves and their riders. Clothes, including high dollar hats, do get soiled, and fancy tack can become deteriorated and tarnished.
Although we have been in on decision-making for postponing an event, and have gone along with the majority, we’re still from the old school. With few exceptions, the show generally should go on regardless of the weather.
Conditions can be like Ezra 10:13: “But the people are many and it is a time of heavy
rain; we cannot stand outside.” Yet, it’s best to follow Second Corinthians 13:4: “For though He was crucified in weakness, He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him as He was humanly weak, we shall show ourselves alive and strong in fellowship with Him.”
+++ALLELUIA+++