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Regular
Posts: 94
Location: Texas | Anybody out there a Rodeo Secretary? If so can you let me know what responsibilities are involved and how hard is it to find a job in this field. What qualifications are needed to be successful. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
   
Location: Kansas | Honestly, you can find a better job that pays more than dealing with rodeo folk who will complain about just about everything. Hate to say it, but it's the truth. |
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 BHW Cheerleader!!
Posts: 6847
Location: Where it is too cold, SD | I would find someone to work with - assist - job shadow for a solid year before going out on your own. There is so much to learn and things to remember - rules - short cuts - etc
It is truly a thankless job and no matter how good of a job you do there is ALWAYS someone that will complain - yell at you - not follow the rules and make your life miserable. lol Just saying as I head out this week to secretary another one. lol |
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Regular
Posts: 94
Location: Texas | Thanks for the info. I'm trying to find a job that will get me into the equine world and thought that job might be a good one. Thanks for the advice. If you have any other ideas that would be great. |
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BHW Cheerleader!!
Posts: 6847
Location: Where it is too cold, SD | Lots of associations will have timer and secretary trainings during the off season just like trainings for judges.............might want to inquire with some local ammy associations. |
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 Go Your Own Way
Posts: 4947
Location: SE KS | As designer shoes as suggested - you really need to shadow of rodeo secretary for a year. I would start with an amateur association and get your feet wet there first. perhaps learn to be a timer first whom works with a rodeo secretary and get your feet wet that way. Also, most stock contractors have their secretaries in place yfear to year. Again I would start with being a timer since you still help the secretary learn the ropes and work up.
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | DesignerShoes - 2015-10-26 8:46 PM I would find someone to work with - assist - job shadow for a solid year before going out on your own. There is so much to learn and things to remember - rules - short cuts - etc
It is truly a thankless job and no matter how good of a job you do there is ALWAYS someone that will complain - yell at you - not follow the rules and make your life miserable. lol Just saying as I head out this week to secretary another one. lol
I have a solution for that. Cultivate a reputation for getting revenge on people who cross you. Seen it in action and it works. LOL |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 754
Location: Arkansas | Three 4 Luck - 2015-10-27 8:55 AM DesignerShoes - 2015-10-26 8:46 PM I would find someone to work with - assist - job shadow for a solid year before going out on your own. There is so much to learn and things to remember - rules - short cuts - etc
It is truly a thankless job and no matter how good of a job you do there is ALWAYS someone that will complain - yell at you - not follow the rules and make your life miserable. lol Just saying as I head out this week to secretary another one. lol I have a solution for that. Cultivate a reputation for getting revenge on people who cross you. Seen it in action and it works. LOL
Edited by rodeochick382 2015-10-27 9:12 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2678
Location: Mi | Its a thankless, endless job and you better have big shoulders and a back bone! You will run into some really great people who appreciate you, and you will run into some that are just plane aholes and appreciate no one and will try to get away with everything they can. |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| If you are looking in to this as a career option, there is not enough work and it doesn't pay well enough to support oneself. A side job? Maybe, but you'd better have tough skin. There was one around here (wife of the stock contractor) that had a reputation for being the biggest witch (with a capital B) around. I personally never had any issues with her. If I had the flexibility, I asked what performance she needed help with, always pivoted when asked and never avoided Grand Entry. I don't complain about the ground, the draw or how the pattern is set at every frickin rodeo I enter and don't argue with the judges or stock contractor. I always appreciate having a rodeo to compete at and if I ever have had a suspicion of any cheating, I just don't support those rodeos. Getting along is a two way street.
As a competitor, being a rodeo secretary was extra hard on me as I went the extra mile to make sure everything was above board and by the book as I know how important fairness and accuracy are to the contestant. It was not a job I sought out and I am VERY happy to be "just a contestant".. Financially it didn't even come close to parity for the work put in. If you are thinking about seeking the position, it had better be because you love rodeo and not for the financial rewards. And especially expect ZERO thanks or appreciation for a job well done.
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | rodeoveteran - 2015-10-27 11:48 AM If you are looking in to this as a career option, there is not enough work and it doesn't pay well enough to support oneself. A side job? Maybe, but you'd better have tough skin. There was one around here (wife of the stock contractor) that had a reputation for being the biggest witch (with a capital B) around. I personally never had any issues with her. If I had the flexibility, I asked what performance she needed help with, always pivoted when asked and never avoided Grand Entry. I don't complain about the ground, the draw or how the pattern is set at every frickin rodeo I enter and don't argue with the judges or stock contractor. I always appreciate having a rodeo to compete at and if I ever have had a suspicion of any cheating, I just don't support those rodeos. Getting along is a two way street. As a competitor, being a rodeo secretary was extra hard on me as I went the extra mile to make sure everything was above board and by the book as I know how important fairness and accuracy are to the contestant. It was not a job I sought out and I am VERY happy to be "just a contestant".. Financially it didn't even come close to parity for the work put in. If you are thinking about seeking the position, it had better be because you love rodeo and not for the financial rewards. And especially expect ZERO thanks or appreciation for a job well done.
That is no joke!
I have secretaryed a few rodeos and each November, I help my mother (the United Rodeo Association secretary) run the office at the URA Finals. You have to be organized, be able to multitask or you'll drive contestants nuts when it takes 10 minutes to pay their fees, flexible because there will always be some catastrophe you have to fix, and very patient because there are many folks you'll deal with who constantly NEED SOMETHING. That is not even mentioning the complainers, and we all know they're out there.
Secretaries are underpaid, under appreciated and I think timers fall into those categories as well. You couldn't pay me enough to time a rodeo.....I am not great at focusing on one thing only and you MUST do that as a timer.....too much money is riding on your reactions. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Missouri | I enjoyed my many years as a rodeo secretary, but it is a thankless job and everyone is correct you have to have a thick skin because most of the contestants think that if something goes wrong anywhere in that rodeo it is YOUR FAULT and you are cheating them! You have to be organized and be able to mulit task. People used to laugh at me because I could take fees, time and answer questions all at the same time! Now mind you I did not know what the annoucers said unless they anounced something wrong! lol
Does it pay good? no not really. Your job starts way before the 1st rodeo performance and you are not done until you have your books in order and sent to the asssoction, normally a day or 2 after the rodeo, depending upon travel time.
I am like others on here if you are a wife or a girlfirend who just goes and sits in the stands and watches then I would try to time some rodeos (they make crap for pay!) and shadow the secretary, most secretaries are willing to help but don't go stealing thier jobs! lol Every secretary has thier own way of doing things so you can always pick up on something that will help you out!
You might also get in with some youth rodeos and help them out some, that is where you can earn your thick skin! lol |
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Being a Rodeo Secretary