BELMOPAN, Sun. May 29, 2022
The rodeo at the National Agriculture and Trade Show is one of the events that draws the largest number of the show’s attendees, but when the bull cast off the first cowboy which attempted to mount it and leapt over the rodeo fence as the ranchers were trying to wrangle him, the crowds likely experienced a bit more of an adrenaline rush than they had signed up for.
Yesterday afternoon at the show grounds, shortly after the rodeo show started, the very startled bull jumped over the right-side fence barrier and began to run away from the corral, and cowboys, and into the crowds. Those in the crowd immediately began to run away, and at one point the bull came face to face with one of the vendors at the trade show before charging. Luckily, the man moved out of the seemingly frustrated animal’s way without sustaining any apparent injury.
All this chaos was live-streamed on Facebook and stirred a flurry of discussions on social media. While the comments of many had a comedic overtone, many maintained that the lack of serious oversight which led to the bull escaping the corral could have caused serious injuries to attendees. An estimated 18,000 persons were in attendance yesterday at the show grounds, and a large number of persons viewed the rodeo.
The bull was secured shortly after its escape and, up to this point, no injuries have been reported, fortunately. All indications are that this is a first in “Agric” history. This is the first show in two years, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, and it also marks the 50th anniversary of the National Agriculture and Trade Show.
On social media, the NATS committee thanked all Belizeans for their attendance at, and participation in, the National Agriculture and Trade Show 2020. We have reached out to the chairperson of the NATS committee for an official comment on the escape of the bull and measures being taken to avoid another such occurrence but have received no reply yet.
A released issued late this evening from the Ministry of Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise stated, “There were no major incidents reported in connection with the event. The bull’s escape from the rodeo arena on Sunday was regrettable. The ministry is grateful that no one was seriously injured; the animal was quickly captured by the rodeo team and returned to its pen with no further issues.”
The event is nonetheless being considered a huge success.