|
|
boon
Posts: 2
| General question for any b-racer out there? Who's responsibility is it to make sure the arena is clear and ready for a runner? Announcer, gate man, contestant, or some other? |
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
 
| Announcer/office staff, the gate man sometimes is not in a position to see the whole arena and if all is clear. |
|
| |
|
  A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
 
Location: NC | If the announcer doesn't hold you up and you run in and something is not ready, I believe that's on them, not you. If my name is called, I'm coming in unless someone holds me up or tells me otherwise. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | I believe it's the announcer. As long as i hear my name I'm comin unless I'm told to hold up
Edited by lexyy12 2014-04-27 5:21 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Peecans
| The announcer usualy tells the gate man, whom then gets out of the way if its all clear around here. Some of the indoor rodeos you cant here the announcer in the wating area, so the gate man relays what is said. |
|
| |
|
 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I posted on your other thread but my answer is all of the above. As a competitor I don't trust the announcer and a lot of times the arena is open to the holding pen so there isn't a gate person so even if the announcer might be telling me, the eye is ready and barrels are set, I do a double check before I get to the open alley. |
|
| |
|
Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
| I went to a church barrel race and they called my name, I ran and then they announce that the timer did not work. You think they could have figured that out about the time I got to the first barrel and said pull up. Nope, announce it when I finished. I had to run again in a very short period of time and needless to say I just cruised. |
|
| |
|
 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I feel like it's a team effort between the barrel setters, gate man, and your announcer. It really bothers me when there seems to be no communication between everyone. I'm just glad I don't have a hot horse about getting into the arena and is pretty okay with hanging around until they are ready. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| Announcer,gate man, and contestant.  |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 591
| All listed are responsible. Sometimes the announcer is looking down to read off something else and someone runs out to pick something up or adjust a barrel. Ultimately I feel it is the contestant's responsibility to look out into the arena and see that there is no one out there before they run. Even if they are saying "come running" I always do a quick glance to make sure it's clear. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 591
| Honeymoney - 2014-04-27 5:47 PM
I went to a church barrel race and they called my name, I ran and then they announce that the timer did not work. You think they could have figured that out about the time I got to the first barrel and said pull up. Nope, announce it when I finished. I had to run again in a very short period of time and needless to say I just cruised.
Having helped run many local barrel races, you don't always know the timer isn't working to tell someone to stop. Sometimes the timer starts but then doesn't stop at the end of their run, so they would have completed their run and then the timer malfunctioned. Or sometimes after a drag you won't notice the timer running because there are people in the booth wanting to ask questions, other distractions, etc. and you forget to hit that stop button. Every effort is made to ensure those things don't happen, but if you put on enough barrel races they are bound to happen at least once! I've had it happen to me and when I am announcing I try my very best to make sure everything is ready to go, but sometimes stuff just happens you can't control. I've been on the other end of it too having the timer not work for my run. It's just part of barrel racing. |
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Well since I've played the parts of both contestant AND announcer ... I honestly say it is the announcer's job. Often times, the announcer is sitting in a crow's nest sort of area that is higher than the arena and can see all areas of the arena. You sometimes can't see everything from your own horse. The announcer relies on the judge and arena crew on the ground to run and set up barrels. The announcer relies on the gate man to not open the gate until ready. The announcer relies on the timer person watching the timer to make sure it is set and ready after a drag, or prior contestant.
So the announcer relies on a lot of people to get the information, to know if the arena is ready for the next contestant. But it's the announcer's job to say it on the microphone. I sure as heck don't invite the next contestant into the arena until everything is ready to go. And if I see the gate man is starting to open the gate and there's something wrong in the arena, I will be hollerin' for them to hold up!!
I think everyone should HAVE to work a barrel race or rodeo at one point in their life. It gives you a whole new appreciation for how hard it is to get everything to run smoothly. As hard as we try, mistakes still do get made. If contestants have had to help before and know all the work involved behind the scenes, they often aren't as crabby to the "staff" if they have an understanding that they are doing the very best they can.
Long story short to answer the question -- the annoucer has the final call ... because their voice is over the loud speaker!!
|
|
| |
Folks on-line