Missouri’s electric cooperative lineworkers show off technical skills during annual Lineman’s Rodeo
by Paul Newton | pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop
photos by Jim McCarty, Sara Schafer and Ricki Spargo
The clangs of climbing gear fill the air as the lineworker grips his spikes and quickly scales a 35-foot pole. High above the ground, he steadies himself before reaching a limp mannequin representing an injured coworker and begins the careful rescue by lowering it safely down to the ground. Up the hill, the low rumble of a digger-derrick truck echoes as another competitor inches a concrete-filled bucket through a tight obstacle course. At other stations, lineworkers race skyward on poles and handle tennis balls using an excavator to showcase their precision. Every move is watched and judged closely. It’s a friendly competition for bragging rights and a few trophies. But this rodeo is about something more important: safety.
Lineworkers from electric cooperatives across the state gathered in Jefferson City to compete in the 8th Annual Lineman’s Rodeo on Sept. 24-25. The rodeo allows lineworkers to practice their safety skills and knowledge in a fun and competitive environment while also raising funds for the Missouri International Program, which electrifies remote villages around the globe for the first time.
The rodeo is hosted by Missouri Electric Cooperatives (MEC), the statewide association that represents Missouri’s 47 electric co-ops. “The most important thing we do is help train Missouri’s linemen to work safely so they can return home to their families every single day,” says MEC’s Director of Field Services Craig Moeller, who oversees both the rodeo and the international program. “This rodeo helps these guys master their safety procedures, which are so important whether they’re maintaining lines at home, electrifying a village in Guatemala or restoring power following a natural disaster.”
The rodeo includes events meant to replicate what lineworkers might encounter in the field. The lineworkers competed in events such as the hurt-man rescue — where they rescued the mannequin — and transformer arrester change-out. Competitors are judged on how safely they complete each event. Speed is only accounted for in the case of a tie. There is also a 100-question written test. The competition had three divisions — journeyman, apprentice and team — with a total of 45 lineworkers competing.
Ozark Electric Cooperative’s lineworkers have been competing in the rodeo for the past three years. Patrick Oehlschlager, general manager of the Mount Vernon-based co-op, joins his crew at the rodeo each year and says the reason for participating is twofold. “No. 1, it lets our linemen showcase their skill set, focus, dedication and devotion to their craft,” he says. “No. 2, it shows solidarity between not only our lineworkers coming to Jefferson City, but solidarity with all the cooperative linemen.”
Tim Gilbert has participated in Missouri’s Lineworker Rodeo in some role every year and has volunteered to build power lines in Haiti and Bolivia. This year, the Boone Electric Cooperative journeyman lineworker served as a judge. “It allows you to see some tips and tricks of the trade you may not have already known,” he says. “Sometimes you’ll find safer ways to do things using different tools. Those things might make you safer or more efficient when you’re working in the field.”
Barton County Electric Cooperative Crew Foreman Clayton Buzzard got plenty of practice for the rodeo climbing poles this past year when he volunteered in Guatemala, bringing electricity to remote villages without the conveniences of the normal bucket trucks he uses back home at his Lamar-based cooperative. Clayton says the rodeo also gives lineworkers a sense of camaraderie with their cooperative peers from across the state.
“This is like a long-distance family for us,” Clayton says. “We hang out here and even though we’re competing, we’re having a good time together. The next time I might see some of these guys might be cleaning up after a hurricane or ice storm. There we might work for different co-ops, but we’re united in our goal. So this relationship we have will only help going forward.”
The rodeo raised more than $30,000 for the Missouri International Program. Missouri lineworkers have completed seven missions to Bolivia and Guatemala. Following a break in the program due to COVID-19, two crews of eight Missouri lineworkers traveled to Viucalvitz, Guatemala, in 2024, bringing power to the village for the first time. Missouri has another mission to Guatemala planned for 2026.
Individual rodeo winners were Cuivre River Electric’s John Sullivan in the apprentice division and Ozark Electric’s Clint Deatherage in the journeyman division. Three Rivers Electric’s team of Cory Kleffner, Alex Buschjost and Ryan Deeken took home the top spot in the team division and the Governor’s Cup.
Patrick says while the competition and the focus on safety is evident at the rodeo in Jefferson City, he sees its effects back in southwest Missouri.
“We send apprentices and journeymen lineworkers,” he says. “They go up and compete representing Ozark Electric. Then, when they come back to work, every single one of them is more confident in what they do and the skills they have. They work with clearer eyes, more focus and steadier hands. That can only make them safer. That can only help our members at the end of the line.”