Keeping rodeo livestock safe and healthy

The Flying Diamond Rodeo Company owners Mike Corey and Tom Lange have been Sisters Rodeo Stock contractors for seven years.

A stock contractor plays an important role in the rodeo; he supplies all the "rough stock" or bucking stock for rodeo competition.

The term "rough stock" can be somewhat misleading. While the animals may seem to be wild and untamed, they are actually bred and trained from birth to work in a rodeo.

Corey's ability to produce quality rodeo stock is well noted. His bull, King of Hearts, finished as third-best bull in the world at Corey's hometown rodeo in 2010 and has held that title twice.

"This year King of Hearts will be retiring," says Corey. He has been a great bull, loved his job and gave all."

Experienced livestock contractors observe potential rodeo animals carefully, watching the way they move and interact with humans and other animals. Bucking is a natural tendency for young horses and bulls; they typically buck and play with each other. Although this behavior decreases with age, good rodeo livestock will continue to buck and jump as they grow up.

"Some horses just don't want to be ridden, no matter what you do, so we give them a job in the rodeo where they are happiest. It's their calling," said Corey.

A stock contractor also has to keep the animals in peak physical condition.

"Rodeo is not just a recreational hobby to me, it is my life," Corey says. "Our livestock is the pivotal center of the rodeo. We love our animals. They are honored, respected and cared for."

Corey has been in rodeo all his life. In his younger days, he was a bull rider.

"I've done just about everything there is, from hauling and loading the animals to one of the better pickup men in the PRCA."

In 1999 Corey decided to form Corey & Horst Rodeo Co. Corey was raising his own stock of horses and bulls in his hometown of Moses Lake, Washington. Between what he was raising, what long-time friends were raising, and a keen eye for bucking stock, things began to look promising.

In 2007 Tom and Leslie Lange of Greely, Colorado, bought the Beard Rodeo Co. Corey and Lange became managing partners and the Flying Diamond Rodeo Company was born.

"After years of experience performing in rodeos, I would now rather have my hands right there knowing what is happening to each and every animal and how they are being cared for," Corey says.

In case of animal injuries, an onsite veterinarian is at the rodeo to make sure the animals are in top shape to perform.

Dr. Tim Phillips, DVM, has been the onsite veterinarian at Sisters Rodeo for the past two years.

Phillips was raised on a Montana cattle ranch owned by his family since the late 1800s, and has had a lifelong connection with horses and livestock.

Phillips is a career-long member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

A lifelong horseman, Phillips team-ropes for recreation. A gold card member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, he served as a team-roping director of the Columbia River Circuit for a number of years.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has instituted a number of rules and guidelines to protect hoofed competitors. The PRCA demands that every animal on the premises be treated fairly, and does not allow dangerous or abusive tactics to be used at any time.

"The injury rate for livestock in a professional rodeo is extremely low," says Phillips. "The contestants are much more likely to get hurt."

By the time the rodeo is over, Corey and his animals are tired. The livestock get to go home with him to graze on over 10,000 acres of scenic pastures.

"True stock people enjoy seeing their animals perform. We don't do it for the money or to hear our name. It's the pride we feel about our animals that's important," Corey says.