Rodeo for suburbanites: How to watch, enjoy event at DuPage County Fair

Never been to a rodeo?

You're not alone.

Mike Latting, who owns Latting Rodeo Productions, is used to getting questions from rodeo novices about exactly what they'll see and experience at his shows.

On Saturday, July 25, he'll stage two sanctioned rodeo shows at the DuPage County Fair at 1 and 6 p.m. in Wheaton.

Visitors will see courageous riders, bucking broncos and strong steer competing in six traditional events.

And they'll experience what Latting calls one of the last true forms of family entertainment that can thrill and intrigue all generations at once.

“There's something in rodeo for everyone, from the rodeo clowns to the bulls,” Latting said. “Everyone will have a good time.”

In the suburbs that have grown to take over the former farmlands of DuPage, an event with real cows and cowboys might seem like a throwback, a holdout from an earlier era. But Latting says that's not the case.

“Rodeo has never really taken a hiatus,” Latting said. “Rodeo in the U.S. has been going on for a long time and has not slowed down at all.”

But forgive a suburbanite's ignorance. Latting plays along just fine when faced with questions about rodeo rules, scoring, terminology and traditions, what to watch for and how to talk like a rodeo pro.

For anyone who's never seen the spectacle, call it rodeo for dummies.

The competitors

Yes, you can call them cowboys and cowgirls.

But Latting also refers to them as contestants, as they're competing for a grand total of roughly $5,000 in prize money and points toward their place in International Professional Rodeo Association standings.

Rodeo contestants across the country earn invitations to regional and national competitions where more prize money is at stake by racking up plenty of points at local competitions like the two scheduled for DuPage.

The events

Keep your eyes peeled for six events featuring humans, horses, steer and bulls.

The rodeo will feature bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding and barrel racing, a women's event in which cowgirls ride horses around barrels arranged in a cloverleaf shape.

“One of the major favorites usually at any of the rodeos is the bull riding,” Latting said. “A guy tries to get on a bull that weighs close to a ton and tries to see if he's better than the animal.”

Rodeo scoring

The three riding events are scored by judges, but the rest of the rodeo contests are a race against the clock.

Judges in bareback bronco riding, saddle bronco riding and bull riding each can award up to 50 points for each competing duo of man (or woman) and beast, with a perfect score being 25 for each.

“When there's a good ride the audience knows it,” Latting said. “It's a feeling.”

There are two judges, so the highest possible point total is 100. But don't hold your breath for a triple-digit score.

“There's no such thing as perfect,” said Latting, whose family has been producing rodeo events for 51 years. “I haven't seen perfect yet, let's put it that way.”

Timed events include tie-down roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing. As usual in racing, fastest is best.

For hockey fans

If you like to root for fights (secretly or not so secretly) when the Blackhawks play, then check out steer wrestling because, as Latting puts it, “sometimes guys crash.”

Cowboys start riding a horse, then jump off onto a steer, which they then wrestle to the ground.

“It's almost like hockey — you kind of want to see somebody crash, but you don't want to see anyone get hurt,” he said.

Rodeo playoffs

Rodeo contestants are kind of like golfers or tennis players. They're independent athletes working for themselves, trying to rack up as many points as possible for placement into the regional finals in November or the international finals in January.

So don't think this is just for show; points earned in DuPage will help contestants improve their chances of advancing to the postseason.

Two kinds of clowns

Rodeo clowns are for real. And there are two types.

The first — the funny type — exists simply to make jokes and add to the family entertainment appeal of the rodeo, Latting says.

But the second is actually more critical. Rodeo clowns serve a safety purpose by distracting or diverting bulls whenever a rider falls off. Sometimes the animal will be heading in a fallen rider's direction, and the rodeo clown has to step in with fast feet and athleticism to help the contestant avoid additional pain.

“Their job is to protect the bull riders,” he said.

Become a cowboy?

Before Latting took over the family business from his father, he went to rodeo school. Many colleges and universities in the West offer scholarships to rodeo contestants.

“Don't think you have to be from a horse family to participate,” Latting said. “A lot of guys started riding bulls that can't even ride a horse across the street. But they got into a school, learned how to do it and went on from there.”

If You Go

What: Latting Rodeo sanctioned shows

When: 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25

Where: DuPage County Fairgrounds arena, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton

Who: 150 cowboys and cowgirls competing for prize money

Cost: $10 a ticket

Info: dupagecountyfair.org or (630) 668-6636