Linemen must always be ready to take on the elements, whether facing rain, wind, sun or snow. But their real challenge is not weather. Linemen are at their best when working to keep current flowing down the power lines that provide electricity to homes and businesses. Linemen are proud of their profession, yet seldom have a forum to show off their acumen.

That was not the case on Oct. 18, 2003, when blue skies and sunshine greeted the more than 3000 electric utility linemen who gathered from around the United States and Canada, as well as England, Ireland and Jamaica, to compete in the 20^th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo held in Bonner Springs, Kansas, U.S. The event drew 232 journeyman teams (three-person crews) and 246 apprentices (singles) from 114 utilities. The line crews demonstrated their line working skills by competing in several events, including the pole climb, hurt man rescue and two mystery events. To make it to Bonner Springs, many of the crews had already participated and won in regional events.

For linemen, the objectives never change. Linemen always seek to complete each task as safely, quickly and precisely as possible. At the rodeo, linemen have the opportunity to learn from one another. Moreover, the rodeo gives linemen the opportunity to bring their families to an event where they are center stage.

The rodeo was preceded by a two-day exposition at Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., where about 80 vendors demonstrated the materials, tools, belts, coverups and line apparel that line workers use every day.

The biggest social event was the barbecue on Friday evening. In addition to a live band for entertainment, much of the adrenaline for the evening's soiree was supplied by the linemen themselves as they bartered with one another for company T-shirts, hats and belt buckles.

The 20^th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo and Exposition ended with an awards banquet at Bartle Hall on Saturday evening.

International Lineman's Rodeo Scholarship Program

The International Lineman's Rodeo Association has established a Scholarship Program. The main objective of this program is to inspire and promote the lineman trade for today and the future. This scholarship program is designed to assist students entering an Electrical Lineman Training School and achieve the completion of the training program.

The International Lineman's Rodeo Scholarship Committee has the following representatives for the selection process: Dennis W. Kerr, Detroit Edison; Jerry Evans, Kansas City Power and Light; Steve Laquinto, PECO Energy; Rick Childers, IBEW Local #66; and Charley Young, Southwestern Line Constructors. These individuals have worked diligently to establish the guidelines for the distribution of the scholarships and have spent many hours in the selection process.

The following criteria have been established for the Scholarship Program:

A. Recommendation by a Journeyman Lineman

B. High-School Diploma or Equivalent GED

C. Letters of recommendation from a high-school advisor or equivalent GED advisor and a friend or relative

D. A letter written by the candidate to the scholarship committee on why he should receive the scholarship, including financial need

In 2002, the International Lineman's Rodeo Association presented its first $1000 scholarship in the name of Billy Begnaud to James Dillow, who attended Manhattan Vocational Technical School for the January Class of 2003.

In 2003, the International Lineman's Rodeo Association will present five US$1000 scholarships. It will continue providing the Billy Begnaud Scholarship plus four additional International Lineman's Rodeo Scholarships.

Recipients of the 2003 scholarships are:

Brian Smith	Utah Valley State	Billy Begnaud Scholarship
Jordan Clark	Manhattan Vocational	ILRA Scholarship
Tyler Naylor	Manhattan Vocational	ILRA Scholarship
Bradley Vaughn	Northwest Iowa Community	ILRA Scholarship
Matthew Soukup	Northeast Community	ILRA Scholarship

For more information about the scholarship program, visit the International Lineman's Rodeo Web site at www.powerlineman.com.

Winners of the 2003 International Lineman's Rodeo

Journeyman Event Winners

Overall Journeyman Winners

Place	Company	Team Members
1st	Cobb EMC	Cole, Brumelow, Lee
2nd	Georgia Power Co.	Bell, Jarrard, Simpson
3rd	Georgia Power Co.	Culverhouse, Polatty, Guilfoyle
4th	Savannah Electric	Hendrick, Hall, Gracen
5th	CenterPoint Energy	Clapp, Goyer, Pace

Journeyman Division Winners

Place	Company	Team Members
Investor-Owned	Georgia Power Co.	Bell, Jarrard, Simpson
Municipal	New Bern Utilities	Small, Rowe, Harper
REA EMC & Co-op	Cobb EMC	Cole, Brumelow, Lee
Contractor	IBEW Local 17	Hinkle, Meicher, Angell
Senior	AEP	Ybarra, Langle, Goodwin

Pole Climb

Place	Company	Team Members
1st	AEP-Swepco	Coe, Weems, Iman
2nd	Nstar Electric Co.	Sutherland, Horn, Berardi
3rd	We Energies	Klein, Klein, Gaynor

Hurt Man Rescue

Place	Company	Team Members
1st	Jackson EMC	Connell, Whitmire, Winkler
2nd	Georgia Power Co.	Jarrard, Bell, Simpson
3rd	We Energies	Klein, Klein, Gaynor

Mystery Event 1: Insulator Changeout

Place	Company	Team Members
1st	Georgia Power Co.	Culverhouse, Polatty, Guilfoyle
2nd	Georgia Power Co.	Bell, Jarrard, Simpson
3rd	Savannah Electric	Hendrick, Hall, Gracen

Mystery Event 2: Changeout Disconnects

Place	Company	Team Members
1st	Cobb EMC	Cole, Brumelow, Lee
2nd	Georgia Power Co.	Cochran, Hines, Miles
3rd	Souther California Edison	Lekvoid, Lee, Gossett

Apprentice Event Winners
Top Overall Apprentices

Place	Company	Apprentice
1st	Cinergy	Jason Seiter
2nd	Xcel Energy	James Stovall
3rd	Georgia Power Co.	Tim Heath

Apprentice Division Winners

Place	Company	Team Members
Investor-Owned	Cinergy	Jason Seiter
Municipal	Austin Energy	Jeff Bardford
REA EMC & Co-op	Jackson EMC	Stephen Poole
Contractor	Hooper Corp.	Wade Harshman

Written Test

Place	Company	Apprentice
1st	Georgia Power Co.	Tim Heath
2nd	Cinergy	Jason Seiter
3rd	Xcel Energy	James Stovall

Hurt Man Rescue

Place	Company	Apprentice
1st	Greystone Power	Tony Brown
2nd	Cobb EMC	Jim Davis
3rd	Georgia Power Co.	Jesse Brock

Pole Climb

Place	Company	Apprentice
1st	Cobb EMC	Brandon Cook
2nd	Jamaica Public Service Co.	Dwayne Muschette
3rd	Cobb EMC	Jim Davis

Mystery Event: Relocate Arrestor & Bracket

Place	Company	Apprentice
1st	Navopache Electric	Toby Claude
2nd	Savannah Electric	Benji Hildebrant
3rd	AEP	Michael Brock