From the archives: B.C. Equipment Dealer Attends Case National Excavator Rodeo Finals

Sep 23, 2021 - 4 years ago

From the Supply Post archives, April 1986

Local construction dealer, Arnold MacIntyre of Case Power & Equipment, Coquitlam, BC, attended a highly unusual rodeo — the Fourth Annual J I Case National Excavator Rodeo in Phoenix, Arizona.

B.C. Equipment Dealer Attends Case National Excavator Rodeo Finals

MacIntyre’s trip to Phoenix came as a result of a local rodeo he co-sponsored with Case at his dealership, Case Power & Equipment, on October 5, 1985. The 91 excavator equipment operators who participated in his local rodeo competed for first and second place standings that would qualify them for the National Rodeo Finals held in Phoenix on February 28 and March 1.

Case Power & Equipment is one of 24 dealers who sponsored a local rodeo in 1985 MacIntyre has been sponsoring a local rodeo for two years.

MacIntyre’s Smith’s two 1985 winners, Tom Mann and Bill Lasell, are both employed by Steven Mann of Don Mann Excavating, Inc. At the National Event, MacIntyre as well as Steve Mann watched Tom Mann and Lasell compete in tests of their equipment handling skills.

“I am proud to have sponsored two local operators in this championship. It was a close competition, and all 48 operators were tough competitors,” MacIntyre said. “I also appreciate the support of Steven Mann and all the other local contractors who backed their operators throughout the rodeo program. They are the ones that made it possible for these operators to compete.”

Each event, which increased in difficulty over the two days, was designed to test the operator’s skill and dexterity in controlling multi-ton excavators. For example in one event the operator had to smoothly control the excavator’s hydraulics in order to pour golf balls into vertical tubes. Another event required placing a miniature oil derrick onto a floating platform.

The six events that comprised the semi-finals and finals narrowed the field to the Top ten contestants. They then battled for the championship in a difficult event that required absolutely control over the excavator. Contestants passed a ball and chain between and through a maze of six tightly-spaced obstacles. In so doing, they had to avoid hazards for which they would have been penalized.

Winner of the $10,000 grand prize was Bobby Jackson of Villa Rica, Georgia. Second prize of $5,000 went to Gordon Smith, Cedar Hill, Texas, with Johnny Lee of West Monroe, Louisiana winning the $1,000 third place award.

Also in attendance were Norm Patterson, Atlas Leasing Ltd., and Fred Bowcott, D.F. Bowcott Excavating Ltd., who were invited by MacIntyre.

Despite the absence of bucking broncos and untamed steers, Victoria residents Tom Mann and Bill Lasell battled 46 other “construction cowboys” on March 5th in a highly competitive rodeo held in Phoenix, Arizona.

The best hydraulic excavator operators in North America squared off during the fourth annual J I Case National Excavator Rodeo, held February 28 and March 1.

Mann and Lasell earned places in the finals by placing first and second at a qualifying rodeo held October 5 by local Case construction dealers Case Power & Equipment, Coquitlam, British Columbia. At that event, 91 contestants competed in specially designed tests of equipment operating skills.

At the finals, all 48 contestants competed in six events to narrow the field to the Top Ten. Those 10 operators competed in an event that called for them to maneuver a bowling ball attached to the excavator bucket with a chain through six tightly-spaced obstacles.

“We’re honored to have had Tom Mann and Bill Lasell compete in our rodeo,” said LeRoy Kostroski, Case manager or product and sales support. “Although our event is meant to be fun, it has a serious tone. All of these operators are committed to excellence in their profession. That in turn translates to better services for the general public.”

Tom Mann is employed by Don Mann Excavating, Ltd., Victoria, B.C. He has been with the company for three years. This is his first year of participation in the national finals.

Bill Lasell is also employed by Don Mann Excavating. He has been with the company for 15 years. He has competed in two national rodeos.

The grand prize winner of $10,000 was Bobby Jackson, Villa Rica, Georgia. The second place prize of $5,000 went to Gordon Smith, Cedar Hill, Texas, with Johnny Lee of West Monroe, Louisiana, earning $1,000 for third place.

This article first appeard in Supply Post, April 1986.