Electrical workers show off skills in Lineman Rodeo competition

El Paso Electric held their second annual Lineman Rodeo Saturday with dozens of electrical workers showing off their skills in competition.

“The eyes on you probably makes you a little more nervous”,” said lineman Joe Roybal.

The electrical workers competed in events like transformer replacement, injury rescues, and electrical line repairs.

The event, workers said, gives them a chance to show their families what they do and make them feel safe.

“They know it’s dangerous, but as soon as they see what we’re doing and how safe it is, then it takes the edge off and it gives them a little more comfort to relax at home knowing. Of course, you still have to deal with the storms and lightning, everyday situation that aren’t normal, other than our normal working day,” said Travis Gonzalez, one of the workers and team leaders at Saturday’s competition.

The rodeo was held at the Chaparral Doña Ana Community College on their electrical work training grounds. Workers explained going back to basics and working against the clock helps their teams come closer together.

“As a team you communicate more, and you have to learn how to read and understand somebody else as far as working together,” Gonzalez said.

The team with best times and scores will go on to represent the borderplex at a state level competition in July.