Topic background: Rodeos began out west in the early 1700s when cattlemen competed against each other in various skills required of their “profession”. Rodeos continue today, and are very popular in western United States, western Canada and northern Mexico. Rodeos involve livestock, including horses, and are still designed to display the competitor’s skills in the same way. In the United States and Canada rodeos are overseen by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), and they claim that much progress has been made in improving the welfare of rodeo animals over the years. However animal rights and animal welfare groups argue that rodeo competitions still constitute animal cruelty and should be banned.