About two dozen PNM linemen and apprentices on Saturday will compete in a “lineman’s rodeo” in Albuquerque to test their skills and potentially qualify to participate in an international competition later this year.

Several temporary electric poles will be installed at the north end of Albuquerque’s Tingley Beach for Saturday’s event. The linemen will compete in a number of contests, including one to test the speed of their pole-climbing abilities and another one – known as the “hurtman rescue” – in which participants simulate the rescue of an injured, fellow lineman represented by a 175-pound mannequin. This is the first time PNM has held a lineman’s rodeo since 2002.

"This is an opportunity not only for our linemen to hone their great skills, but also to demonstrate to the public how important those skills are to safe, reliable electric service," said Joel Ivy, vice president, NM operations. Employees and the public are invited to the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

The top competitors in Saturday’s competition, in addition to one to be held in Ruidoso in July, will compete in the 26th Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas in October.

Lineman's Rodeo Schedule of Events
Event Time
Breakfast burritos, coffee & juice for participants.  Family and guests can purchase food 7:30 a.m.
Safety briefing (all team members, apprentices and judges) 8 a.m.
Tool inspection for all apprentices 8:15 a.m.
Tool inspection for all team members 8:30 a.m.
Written test for apprentices 8:30 a.m.
Climbing events start 9 a.m.
Event concludes at noon


This is a really neat thing to witness - so I thought I would pass it along.