The Rodeo Battle – Entertaining Or Cruel?

PALM SPRINGS – The “Palm Springs Wild Westfest” and Rodeo is going on this weekend. The event is jam-packed with barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping and much more. While thousands got a look at the action inside the rodeo, on Saturday, there was also a big scene outside the event.

Some call it tradition.

“I’m, trying to keep the west alive,” says Cotton Rosser, rodeo producer.

Some say it’s a sport or entertainment.

“It’s very entertaining, great competition, great riders,” says rodeo goer, Gail Barnett.

Others say it’s down right mean.

“We should not be entertained by animal cruelty,” says protestor Lori Kirshner.

Protestors spent the Saturday at the entrance of the “Palm Springs Wild Westfest” trying to persuade rodeo goers to stay away from the event.

“Don’t support the rodeo,” says Erlyn Garrison, protestor.

“All animal related events at the rodeo are abuse and are cruel,” says Kirshner.

However, not everyone agrees.

“we have never hurt a bull or a horse,” says Rosser.

Inside the rodeo, organizers, fans and owners say all of the animals are well taken care of. In fact some say the animals are better off than most people.

“They’re my family, my kids,” says Janel Flook. “They go before me.”

Flook has three barrel jumping horses in the rodeo. She’s says their health is her first priority, but Kirshner doesn’t buy it.

“No matter how well, she claims, she takes care of them; the rodeo is cruel,” says Kirshner.

Those on the opposing side feel the animals are forced to perform.

“Animals don’t have a choice,” says Garrison.

But Flook says her horses live for competition.

“She craves it,” says Flook. “If I leave with the trailer, she will be in the pin jumping and bucking cause she can’t go.”

“I don’t believe an animal can enjoy being noosed around the neck and pulled around,” says Garrison. “Animals die in rodeos.”

Organizers at the event say before, after and during events the animals are never harmed.

“The horns have wraps and we catch them by the horns and heels,” says Rosser. “This doesn’t hurt them, we take care of our animals.”

Still, the issue remains divided. Is it cruelty? Is it entertainment? It seems the only thing these two groups agree on is they’ll always disagree.

“I wish people would come see what a great event it is,” says Rosser. “They just don’t believe what happens.”

“For them to say we don’t know what goes on, yes we do,” says Kirshner.