Adding Instant Replay Review to Professional Rodeo

The American Western Weekend is set to take place at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on March 8 and 9 on one of Western Sports' biggest stages. With stakes high, new technology added to the industry could play well for rodeo athletes looking to score the million-dollar purse.

Setting a new pace for Western Sports, the Instant Replay Review Challenge could benefit both the contestants and rodeo committees during competition. The technology is not new to professional sports. However, it is new to professional rodeo. 

The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) were the first to introduce the concept of instant replay during an event. During the fifth round of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals, a test trial using instant replay was used in Las Vegas.

Team Ropers Coleman Proctor and Logan Medlin hammered out a record-breaking 3.1 seconds for the Thomas and Mack Arena. It was a heated topic after the two were flagged for a crossfire and given the 30-second penalty.

With a record-setting payout of more than $11.5 million and world titles on the line, it is the Super Bowl of all rodeos. Although, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has not yet adopted the technology.

Back in Las Vegas, but this time at the South Point Arena, instant replay was used for the very first time for official rodeo results during competition by The American Rodeo through a company called Omega Productions.

The system proved necessary and successful. It was used at each of the American’s qualifying rounds and contender finals this last weekend in Abilene, Texas.

“It is an NFL-level replay. You have an official coming up to a monitor, you have four different angles, and it levels the playing field In the sport of rodeo, just like the sport of football.” - Todd Greenway, President of Omega Productions

Greenway told SI Rodeo each arena may vary on how many cameras are needed, but a typical set-up for them used four cameras total, including one elevated above the arena, a PTC on the ground (which uses mechanics for precise camera placement), and two-manned ground-cameras.

“Our knowledge of technology and how to use it makes it very efficient. Those replay reviews have been really, really fast.”

A matter of 30-45 seconds is all Greenway says his team needs to get the replay up for rodeo officials to review on the big monitor.

Penalties such as missing the mark-out rule in rough stock events, a crossfire, or breaking the barrier in timed events are all circumstances Greenway said they are looking for and easily spotted with an overhead camera.

“We know what contestants are likely going to ask for a review so we are ready for that and we are covering those spots,” Greenway added.

The American Rodeo officials have welcomed the new technology. Professional Rodeo Judge Lane Peterson was the first to call a challenge during the breakaway roping at the West Region Qualifier.

Breakaway Roper Tibba Smith was flagged for leaving the barrier too soon, which would have added a 10-second penalty and taken her out of the running that weekend. However, Peterson asked for an Instant Replay Review Challenge, which resulted in favor of the contestant.

“It’s not to take it away from anybody but just to make sure we get it right,” Peterson said as he explained how the challenging system works.

When calling for a replay, either the competitor or the official may challenge the round.

“When there’s this much money involved and you are talking about a contestant winning a million dollars, you want to make sure you get it right,” Greenway added.

The technology also showed to be useful in Abilene during bareback riding, Greenway explained. It was the first time they tested the “markout rule” to challenge whether or not the rider had his spurs over his neck before leaving the chutes.

The reality is “pressure is a privilege,” Peterson explained, as rodeo officials are in charge of judging the animal’s ability to buck as well as the competitor’s ability to ride and people don’t always take into factor that there is also a lot of money on the line for these athletes, especially with rodeos such as The American.

“It’s something we do not take lightly. We get excited to work events such as The American, just to have the chance. It’s an honor.”

As far as the technology, both Greenway and Peterson believe contestants are noticing and welcoming the use of the cameras. Whether or not it will be a fit for other rodeos will take time and money, Greenway says.