They say times are hard but over the weekend Belizeans still flocked by the thousands to the National Agriculture and Trade Show in Belmopan. Ticket numbers are still being tallied but the unofficial count from the Ministry of Agriculture is that 45,000 people visited the show over the three days. Our team of Keith Swift and Alex Ellis went yesterday and got a side of agric, and of Belize, that many may have overlooked.

Keith Swift Reporting,
As always the National Agriculture and Trade Show is bustling with people. There are hundreds of people walking, drinking, but most of all shopping to take advantage of those too good to be true deals. But there were no deals in this corner of the trade show. This was the rodeo – a seeming world unto itself – with real cowboys in their signature hats and boots on their horses. And of course - no rodeo is a rodeo without country music. Among the cowboys there were cow-kids. Eddie Valencia is only 8 and this is his second year participating in the barrel race.

Keith Swift,
Which event are you participating in?

Eddie Valencia, 8 year old Participant
“Barrel race.”

Keith Swift,
How long have you riding in the rodeo?

Eddie Valencia,
“Two years. Riding is fun and the barrel race.”

And hard as he rode – Eddie was no match for 8 year old Edito Fuentes who’s been riding since he was three years old and participating in the rodeo since he was 6.

Keith Swift,
Eddy how long have you been riding?

Edito Fuentes, 8 year old participant
“From I was three.”

Keith Swift,
How long have you been participating in the rodeo?

Edito Fuentes
“Two years.”

Keith Swift,
You won this year. How did you feel?

Edito Fuentes
“Good.”

Edito’s 5 year old sister Soila Fuentes also rode – and that’s because for the Fuentes’ -the rodeo isn’t just a sport – it is a family tradition.

Eddy Fuentes, Father of Participants
“I involve my kids because it came from my parents. It was a tradition and they loved it also. They love it a lot.”

Keith Swift,
Soila, you enjoy riding the horse?

Eddy Fuentes,
“Yeah.”

And while the kids raced – the adults flirted with danger – riding wild horses and chasing young bulls. For these riders it is a way of life.

Allyson Coye, Bull Rider
“I am 40 years old and I’ve been out here from since I was 16 fighting for my life out here. In Belize there is one rodeo for the year and it is very exciting when that rodeo is coming up. So we go to sleep, wake up, and dream about it for the year to go through very fast. I wish in Belize they would have more rodeos than which is going on right now. But that is in my dreams, my father, my mother, my sister, and everybody is into it. It is just something that I love. Without rodeos, I don’t think I could ever survive.”

David “Quattro” Neufeld, Participant
“It is my life. I like rodeo-ing and so that is why I am here.”

Keith Swift,
What is it about the rodeo that you love so much?

David “Quattro” Neufeld,
“Just the riding, the roping, and the whole thing that happens there with the horses and people and it is just all a lot of fun.”

But those who crowded the stands and climbed into trees and took spots on top of some booths to get a view – came for the main event – bull riding. Giovanni Cruz was the first one out.

Giovanni Cruz, Bull Rider
“I think it is the best sport for me because it is just and a beast and no one can tell what that animal will do, you got to get out there and just prepare for whatever.”

Keith Swift,
And you’re not afraid of what that animal might do?

Giovanni Cruz,
“I am not afraid. I want to die riding a bull.”

Wilbert Vasquez had a smoother ride.

Wilbert Vasquez, Bull Rider
“This year will make 13 years that I’ve been riding. I’ve already gone international in Guatemala and this is the 7th or 8th championship for me.”

Keith Swift,
What’s the key to staying on the bull?

Wilbert Vasquez,
“Well you have to stay up on the rope. Stay up on the rope, lap your leg, and give him what you need because once you feel the bull isn’t too hard for you, you can open your leg. And once the bull is fighting too much, don’t open your legs – you wait for him to jump for you. I can give the bull what the bull needs because it is not a hard bull.

I love rodeo because a lot of people like to talk big that I can’t do it and I will prove to the Belizean people that I could do it.”

Allyson Coye – who’s been riding for 24 years – was the last to mount the bull.

Allyson Coye,
“I can’t wait. I need to get on it now and that is most exciting event out here and that is something I really love. I tell you it is a sweetheart to me or my wife or more.”

Keith Swift,
Have you ever gotten hurt?

Allyson Coye,
“Once I broke my leg but that is healed and it is just an accident that happened – you break some, it heals back, and you are good to go again.”

And while none of the bull riders were hurt – two participants had to be transported to the hospital for a broken leg in one case and a fractured arm in another.

The winners all received cash prizes.