We’ll be heading to Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo next week. I’m not really a rodeo guy, but my dad was. My brother, sisters and I have been to every NFR since it moved to Las Vegas in 1985. It’s my favorite holiday tradition. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗜 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝘁. The NFR is held indoors at the UNLV Thomas and Mack Arena, where the basketball team plays. Every year, they haul in a bunch of dirt and spread it on the arena floor. I wonder where the dirt came from. I wonder if it’s a special mix or just came from a local ranch. It looks like it’s about 12 inches thick and consists of sandy loam ( an agricultural term, not engineering). I wonder what kind of surface they put the dirt on. Surely, they don’t put it on the hardwood. I would think that a compacted soil subsurface with loose soil on top is probably best and most like a typical rodeo arena. I wonder if it’s true that they’ve used the same dirt every year since 1985 and that it’s stored off-site for the rest of the year. I wonder how they reuse the same soil and control its organic content year after year, if you know what I mean. After the rodeo, I’ll forget about these things until next year when I’m staring at the dirt again. #FamilyTraditions #NFR #WranglerNFR
Cynthia Gabaldon
1mo
Cowboy Christmas is the best
Transprotation Surveyor - Caltrans
1moThe footing used at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is a carefully managed blend of sand, with a specific focus on particle size and consistency, designed to provide a stable yet slightly yielding surface for the horses, typically incorporating a mix of sand, clay, and silt to achieve the right balance of grip and cushion, crucial for the various rodeo events taking place; experts closely monitor and maintain the dirt throughout the competition to ensure optimal conditions for the animals. Key points about NFR footing: Sand blend: A specific blend of sand particles is used, with careful consideration to size and texture. Moisture control: Maintaining the right moisture level is critical to prevent the dirt from becoming too slick or too dry. Depth consistency: The depth of the footing is important for providing adequate cushion without hindering maneuverability. Regular testing: The arena surface is regularly tested and adjusted to maintain consistent quality throughout the event.