Priefert Manufacturing is a major name in rodeo infrastructure, known for building chutes, panels, and arena systems used across the industry. ABI Attachments has long been part of that ecosystem, supplying ground maintenance and water equipment used in both daily ranch operations and major events like the Priefert Ranch Open.
What Is The Priefert Ranch Open
The Priefert Ranch Open began as a smaller local rodeo effort and has grown into a multi-day, multi-discipline event. It now includes team roping, steer roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and ladies events across a six-day schedule.
The goal from the beginning was simple: give contestants more runs, more chances to compete, and more opportunity in one location. As the event has expanded, so has the need for consistent arena footing management.
Courtney Dyer, Director of Marketing at Priefert, explains the origin and growth of the event:
"we started four years ago when our local rodeo decided to go pro. we held just a little team roping and breakaway helping give contestants two places to enter in town, two chances to make money."
She continues:
"here we are four years later. i think the plan's working. we've now got six days of events. we've got team roping, we've got steer roping, we've got tie down, we've got steer wrestling, and we had ladies day."
Why Arena Footing Becomes More Complex In Multi Discipline Events
Multi-discipline rodeos place different demands on arena footing. Breakaway roping, steer wrestling, and tie-down roping all require different surface response, moisture balance, and compaction levels.
Instead of maintaining one static surface condition, crews must actively adjust footing between events. That means breaking compaction, redistributing material, and resetting the surface multiple times during a single event schedule.
This is where equipment choice becomes critical. Consistency is not just about grooming the surface. It is about managing depth, compaction layers, and moisture distribution throughout the arena profile.
ABI TR3 Rodeo Edition In Event Use
The ABI TR3 Rodeo Edition is designed for multi-pass arena work where operators need to decompact and finish in a controlled sequence.
Jay Johnson describes the functional advantage:
"the favorite part is you have two implements in one. you can rip and claw bust or you can knock down and rake all at the same time."
That flexibility matters in a live event environment where time between classes is limited and footing must be reset quickly.
Ground Crew Operations And Preparation Cycle
At events like the Priefert Ranch Open, arena footing is continuously managed.
Crews typically work:
- Weeks ahead of time for preparation
- Early mornings before events
- Between classes during competition
- After events for full reconditioning
Courtney Dyer explains:
"these guys are out here weeks ahead of time prepping the ground. they come early every morning. they stay late every night. so that is a really important part to the quality of our event."
Water Management And Equipment Integration
Arena footing is only part of the system. Moisture control is also critical.
Culture Buck, horse barn manager at Priefert, explains:
"they actually use abi water wagons to water the horses. we build all the wagons down here, make sure they are the correct setup, and set them in position so they can water the horses."
What Priefert Values In ABI Attachments
Courtney Dyer says:
"priefert really values innovation. that is one of our core company values. you can easily tell that is something that abi values as well."
She also notes:
"watching the equipment they manufacture grow, change and become even better to really make sure the ground is perfect for whatever discipline is happening is really huge to us."
Culture Buck adds:
"the quality of their product is head and shoulders above the rest. you can tell by the design that there is a lot of thought that went into it."
What Actually Matters For Arena Footing Performance
Three key factors:
- Compaction control
- Moisture consistency
- Depth management
When these are controlled, performance conditions stay consistent across disciplines.
