Media Guidelines
NOTE: The following guidelines govern media covering Toughest Cowboy events, as well as Bulls and Broncs which are owned by Grit Rock Rodeo and AEG. All media must review these. At the discretion of Grit Rock Rodeo and AEG failure to adhere to these may result in forfeiture of media credentials and escorted from the premises, as well as refusal of accreditation for future events. Unless specified otherwise, journalists and media are general terms for print, electronic, television, Internet and photo journalists.

To request media and/or photography credentials contact: info@toughestcowboy.com

General media guidelines and regulations

• Credentials are distributed on an as-available basis to journalists of recognized news outlets who are on assignment to cover the event and/or Grit Rock Rodeo. Journalists must represent recognized daily or weekly newspapers; news services; recognized publications and outlets that regularly cover rodeo, sports, and/or television events; recognized national/regional radio and television networks; local radio and television stations; and/or recognized Internet sites. In each case, this is determined by Toughest Cowboy and Grit Rock Rodeo at their sole discretion.
• Accreditation badge must be worn at all times.
• Freelance journalists and photographers must provide proof of assignment to be considered for accreditation. They also must sign a form confirming that the images taken will only be used for that specific publication and for that specific story.
• Security checkpoints and procedures have been implemented for the safety and protection of all. Accredited media are expected to cooperate with the procedures and requirements implemented for access to the media, photographer and broadcast areas. Media access will vary by event, and the media rules of the respective event must be followed.
• Contestants are available for interviews after they compete.
• Many of the individuals staffing media areas are volunteers, and the accredited media and broadcasters are expected to treat them with courtesy and respect.
• The pressroom is workplace for accredited media. To ensure a positive working environment for all, please avoid making excessive noise in working areas; do not leave belongings in the common work area overnight; and dispose of unwanted papers, etc., to assist in keeping the area neat. This is not a gathering place for staff and volunteers.
• The media rooms at all events are non-smoking.
• Due to the limited number of general-use phones (if provided), accredited media should be mindful of the needs of other journalists and limit phone usage to filing and business-related calls.
• Each individual is responsible for his/her personal property. Grit Rock Rodeo is not responsible for theft or damage to personal items.
• Media access to contestant dressing areas and warm-up areas depends on the regulations of the event.

Television, radio and Internet

• Grit Rock Rodeo owns the rights to originate live, play-by-play coverage from the event venue, and in many instances, these rights may have been awarded to a broadcast or cable network and/or an Internet provider. Subject to the limitations previously outlined, non-rights-holding local radio, television stations, networks and Internet providers are encouraged to cover Toughest Cowboy events with the following limitations.
• Grit Rock Rodeo retains all rights in and to the filming, taping, recording in any media now or hereafter known, still footage/photography, radio or television broadcasting or reproduction in any manner or form thereof of any Toughest Cowboy event. The only exemption is coverage for local, regularly scheduled newscasts. Any non-local news outlets must first get approval from Grit Rock Rodeo before it can shoot footage at any Toughest Cowboy event.
• Any TV/radio broadcaster who does not comply with the above regulations will, without warning, have his/her accreditation withdrawn for the remainder of the event and may be banned by Grit Rock Rodeo from covering future events.
• For local, regional and national TV news coverage, coverage of Toughest Cowboy events shall not exceed three minutes in length in the daily aggregate and must be a part of a regularly scheduled newscast. Only taped footage may be included in these reports. The outlet may not purport to show live, play-by-play coverage from a event unless approved in advance by Grit Rock Rodeo.
• Local credentialed TV outlets may broadcast live from the venue, as long as the broadcast does not include action from inside the arena (which is covered above).
• The use of tripods is limited, based on available space.
• Television cameras are not allowed on the arena floor, with the exception of the TV network covering the event.
• Grit Rock Rodeo owns the rights to all recorded coverage of its events, whether it airs on a national, regional or local network. Such television outlets will provide Grit Rock Rodeo with copies of their coverage upon request.
• Radio and Internet (audio or video) coverage may not purport to be live, play-by-play from the event unless this has been approved and arranged in advance with Toughest Cowboy and Grit Rock Rodeo.

General photography guidelines

• Only credentialed photographers may shoot at a Toughest Cowboy event.
• Freelance photographers will not be accredited without proof of assignment for a specific media outlet and without signing an agreement for limiting usage of the images to the specified assignment.
• Only photographers hired by Toughest Cowboy and Grit Rock Rodeo are allowed to shoot in the arena. The only exception to this is written permission from a Toughest Cowboy/Grit Rock representative. Contact Media Photography
• Photographers must shoot from designated photo areas.
  • Equipment guidelines. Cameras should be an SLR or DSLR, with an appropriate lens to capture the action from an appropriate distance that ensures the safety of the photographer and those in the arena, as well as to eliminate the chance of the photographer impacting the conduct of the event.
    • Recommended lenses are 80-200 f2.8, 120-300 f2.8 and 300 f2.8/f4. Photographers shooting in the arena are required to use equipment sufficient for obtaining quality images at a respectable and safe distance from the action.
    • (Norman/Quantam/Lumindyne 400-watt second flash and battery pack systems with high gain reflectors or the equivalent are recommended. Using the TTL setting is preferred.) Those cleared to shoot behind the chutes must only use equipment that can be carried.
    • Commercial photography is prohibited unless it has received prior approval and the proper clearances made.
• Any secondary non-editorial or commercial use of any picture, film or drawing of a competitor is prohibited without prior consent of Toughest Cowboy, Grit Rock Rodeo and the contestant.
• All pictures must be taken at an appreciable distance, as far from the action as possible, and from angles that are not in the direct line of sight for the contestant or the judges. Most events will have pre-designated photo areas.
• Photographers who do not comply fully with the above regulations may, without warning, have their credentials withdrawn for the remainder of the event and could be banned by Toughest Cowboy and Grit Rock Rodeo from attending future events.