If you have never been to a rodeo, you will never know the excitement that comes with running in front of a crowd.  The flags flying, the cattle in their pen, and the people.  The major difference between rodeo and horse shows are the people.  It seems to me that the people at the rodeos are a little more down to earth and have more common sense then the horse show people.

Now don't get me wrong, I like the horse show people, mainly cause I'm one of them, but I also jump to the other side of the tracks and run rodeos.  At a horse show you will hear how the ground isn't perfect and the announcer sucks and so many other things.  But at a rodeo, the barrel racers are just happy to have a chance to show off their animal and their talents.  No matter if they are running on a track or a deep arena, they smile and shake your hand and truely want to know how you are.

Rodeo vs Horse Shows.  The rodeo wins out every time.