What would I asked for if I could have a dream rodeo rig? That question would have varied throughout the years I’ve been involved in rodeo.
In 1964 when hubby Charlie was completing our first rig – a home-made pick-up camper from plywood and paneling, he thought side windows, door in the rear and board across forward part for the bed was sufficient (well, actually, all we could afford) but I asked for an electrical outlet on the inside so I could at least plug in a coffee pot. The cab-over pickup camper purchased new in 1971 for fishing soon went into service as the rodeo rig when the kids began youth rodeos, and my dream rig at that time would have included “facilities,” but we made do.
The trailers? Well, they were mostly ranch stock trailers. The camper/trailer was never replaced by anything fancier, as hubby gave up rodeoing to further the kids’ college educations and rodeo careers.
My, the rodeo rigs today! True, Charlie and I experienced driving/living in a more modern rodeo rig when we helped K.C. get his outfit somewhere on the rodeo road while he flew. Today, as a spectator, I’m content to rough it at a motel with pool and spa. I was, however, gratified when K.C. and his wife, Gayle, were asked the opening question and had the opportunity to actually have their rodeo rig dreams fulfilled.
When the Sooner and Exiss Trailers merged under the Universal Trailer Company, national sales director Gary Storke approached K.C. to be a spokesperson for a new line of high-end trailers the company was designing, tailored especially for horse competitors like full-time rodeo contestants. After a year of “discussion, creations and construction” with much input from K.C. and Gayle, the Legacy line was unveiled at a huge launch party the company held in El Reno, Okla., last June. Hubby and I were invited to attend. We toured the plant, met all the players from the president to the warehouse janitor and were duly introduced to “Black Betty,” as K.C. affectionately named his new 33-foot, 8-foot wide, five-horse slant aluminum gooseneck with live-in quarters.
The trailer had to meet high expectation since Charlie had built more than one horse trailer and pulled a great number of them throughout his lifetime. He helped K.C. build a four-horse trailer in the early 1990s, which traveled to many college rodoes and early PRCA shows, so it wasn’t like the duo didn’t know what they were looking for. They were suitably impressed with the nose and kingpin construction, but particularly liked that the frame was welded anywhere it touched the remainder of the trailer – a feature not found on most trailers. Otherwise, Sooner trailers had all the basic features customers have come to expect – electric brakes, rear tack storage with a saddle rack per horse plus bridle hooks, brush trays, blanket bars, dome lights, high turn signals, electric/hydraulic jack, inside-outsides ties, as well as a window per horse, butt bar, insulated and double-walled horse compartment rubber lined, floor mats, removable dividers with pads and holdbacks, roof vents, double rear doors, drop down feed doors, walk-through door to first horse compartment from quarters, rubber wheel wells, generator for lights, heat, cooling and electricity, as well as roof storage and access ladder.
What more could one ask for in their dream rodeo rig? More tie-rings. K.C. asked for five tie rings on each side rather than the standard three, so that he can put all the horses on either side depending on shade or limited space in crowded arena contestant parking.
Lower Handles on the Exterior Windows. As K.C. commented, “We need the handles lower so everybody’s wife (including Gayle who is only 5 ft.) can reach them as she’s probably doing all the work anyway!”
Safer Back Doors. The tack room doors fold around flat against the back of the trailer removing the chore of carrying a saddle around an open door. Additionally, there is never an open door where a horse can get a halter underneath it and rear back and tear up the door.
The Mangers. Because K.C. rodeos for a living, his horses are riding a great deal of the time, so he wanted them to eat a little lowers to the ground as they have to drain while they eat. The lower mangers let them relax and have more room to be flexible—features that help the horses feel better so they can be at their competitive best at the rodeo.
More Horse Area Features. Besides the drop down feed doors and standard chest/stall pads, a rugged aluminum divider with patented slam latch was added. LED light strips illuminate the lined area and the ceiling is insulated.
Bunk Beds. With three to four traveling partners to minimize fuel and travel expenses, a bed and “space” for everybody was essential. Most living quarters have a couch or a table that doubles as a bed, but Sooner included 2 more bunks above each that can also be folded up into the interior walls to appear as cabinets. A master suite is in the nose for privacy when desired with small storage areas, dividing curtains and a TV that swivels toward the bed or the bunk area.
Dark Interior. Gayle suggested the dark interior to hide the dirt, fly specks and scuffs, and K.C. wanted it dark inside to induce sleep during an afternoon nap after driving all night for 8:00 a.m. slack.
Other Interior Extras. Lots of traveling partners equals lots of clothes, especially boots, so Sooner included a boot box by the interior door. Since an oven/stove burner unit is unnecessary for rodeo contestants (who eat at rodeo committee hospitality rooms or convenience food stores), that space was used for closets, plus every other possible area was utilized for storage. Between the bunk and shower area, another TV is located that also swivels. Gayle particularly likes the central vacuum where guys can whisk broom their dirt toward a slit under the seat and see it disappear!
Other Exterior Extras. What is a rodeo without some wind? The automatic retractable awning lets the travelers have some shade, then leave for the arena knowing it will roll itself up with too stiff a breeze. A portable barbeque that hooks to the side where the propane tank is located lets them have a party if the stay is for several days. The extra-large pod on the roof holds 20 bales of hay, suitcases to pack when they fly, and all the extras it takes for four or five guys to travel down the road together.
Black Betty has been on the road for a year now, and K.C. and partners thoroughly enjoy her every feature—truly a dream rodeo rig. On Monday, Gayle received her new trailer from Sooner which she named “Baby Betty,” so stay tuned for the features Sooner and Gayle designed for barrel racing divas!
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What would I asked for if I could have a dream rodeo rig? That question would have varied throughout the years I’ve been involved in rodeo.
In 1964 when hubby Charlie was completing our first rig – a home-made pick-up camper from plywood and paneling, he thought side windows, door in the rear and board across forward part for the bed was sufficient (well, actually, all we could afford) but I asked for an electrical outlet on the inside so I could at least plug in a coffee pot. The cab-over pickup camper purchased new in 1971 for fishing soon went into service as the rodeo rig when the kids began youth rodeos, and my dream rig at that time would have included “facilities,” but we made do.
The trailers? Well, they were mostly ranch stock trailers. The camper/trailer was never replaced by anything fancier, as hubby gave up rodeoing to further the kids’ college educations and rodeo careers.
My, the rodeo rigs today! True, Charlie and I experienced driving/living in a more modern rodeo rig when we helped K.C. get his outfit somewhere on the rodeo road while he flew. Today, as a spectator, I’m content to rough it at a motel with pool and spa. I was, however, gratified when K.C. and his wife, Gayle, were asked the opening question and had the opportunity to actually have their rodeo rig dreams fulfilled.
When the Sooner and Exiss Trailers merged under the Universal Trailer Company, national sales director Gary Storke approached K.C. to be a spokesperson for a new line of high-end trailers the company was designing, tailored especially for horse competitors like full-time rodeo contestants. After a year of “discussion, creations and construction” with much input from K.C. and Gayle, the Legacy line was unveiled at a huge launch party the company held in El Reno, Okla., last June. Hubby and I were invited to attend. We toured the plant, met all the players from the president to the warehouse janitor and were duly introduced to “Black Betty,” as K.C. affectionately named his new 33-foot, 8-foot wide, five-horse slant aluminum gooseneck with live-in quarters.
The trailer had to meet high expectation since Charlie had built more than one horse trailer and pulled a great number of them throughout his lifetime. He helped K.C. build a four-horse trailer in the early 1990s, which traveled to many college rodoes and early PRCA shows, so it wasn’t like the duo didn’t know what they were looking for. They were suitably impressed with the nose and kingpin construction, but particularly liked that the frame was welded anywhere it touched the remainder of the trailer – a feature not found on most trailers. Otherwise, Sooner trailers had all the basic features customers have come to expect – electric brakes, rear tack storage with a saddle rack per horse plus bridle hooks, brush trays, blanket bars, dome lights, high turn signals, electric/hydraulic jack, inside-outsides ties, as well as a window per horse, butt bar, insulated and double-walled horse compartment rubber lined, floor mats, removable dividers with pads and holdbacks, roof vents, double rear doors, drop down feed doors, walk-through door to first horse compartment from quarters, rubber wheel wells, generator for lights, heat, cooling and electricity, as well as roof storage and access ladder.
What more could one ask for in their dream rodeo rig? More tie-rings. K.C. asked for five tie rings on each side rather than the standard three, so that he can put all the horses on either side depending on shade or limited space in crowded arena contestant parking.
Lower Handles on the Exterior Windows. As K.C. commented, “We need the handles lower so everybody’s wife (including Gayle who is only 5 ft.) can reach them as she’s probably doing all the work anyway!”
Safer Back Doors. The tack room doors fold around flat against the back of the trailer removing the chore of carrying a saddle around an open door. Additionally, there is never an open door where a horse can get a halter underneath it and rear back and tear up the door.
The Mangers. Because K.C. rodeos for a living, his horses are riding a great deal of the time, so he wanted them to eat a little lowers to the ground as they have to drain while they eat. The lower mangers let them relax and have more room to be flexible—features that help the horses feel better so they can be at their competitive best at the rodeo.
More Horse Area Features. Besides the drop down feed doors and standard chest/stall pads, a rugged aluminum divider with patented slam latch was added. LED light strips illuminate the lined area and the ceiling is insulated.
Bunk Beds. With three to four traveling partners to minimize fuel and travel expenses, a bed and “space” for everybody was essential. Most living quarters have a couch or a table that doubles as a bed, but Sooner included 2 more bunks above each that can also be folded up into the interior walls to appear as cabinets. A master suite is in the nose for privacy when desired with small storage areas, dividing curtains and a TV that swivels toward the bed or the bunk area.
Dark Interior. Gayle suggested the dark interior to hide the dirt, fly specks and scuffs, and K.C. wanted it dark inside to induce sleep during an afternoon nap after driving all night for 8:00 a.m. slack.
Other Interior Extras. Lots of traveling partners equals lots of clothes, especially boots, so Sooner included a boot box by the interior door. Since an oven/stove burner unit is unnecessary for rodeo contestants (who eat at rodeo committee hospitality rooms or convenience food stores), that space was used for closets, plus every other possible area was utilized for storage. Between the bunk and shower area, another TV is located that also swivels. Gayle particularly likes the central vacuum where guys can whisk broom their dirt toward a slit under the seat and see it disappear!
Other Exterior Extras. What is a rodeo without some wind? The automatic retractable awning lets the travelers have some shade, then leave for the arena knowing it will roll itself up with too stiff a breeze. A portable barbeque that hooks to the side where the propane tank is located lets them have a party if the stay is for several days. The extra-large pod on the roof holds 20 bales of hay, suitcases to pack when they fly, and all the extras it takes for four or five guys to travel down the road together.
Black Betty has been on the road for a year now, and K.C. and partners thoroughly enjoy her every feature—truly a dream rodeo rig. On Monday, Gayle received her new trailer from Sooner which she named “Baby Betty,” so stay tuned for the features Sooner and Gayle designed for barrel racing divas!
