Snow Plow Operators Dodge Obstacles in Annual Competition

More than 50 operators maneuvered equipment around the Motor Grader Roadeo obstacle course on Sept. 25 at the Western Snow & Ice Conference in Estes Park.

Photo courtesy of John Deere Construction & Forestry Co.

Known as the toughest obstacle course west of the Mississippi, the Motor Grader ‘Roadeo’ held Sept. 25 at the Western Snow & Ice Conference in Estes Park featured motor graders, loaders and some of the best operators from all over the country.

Dale Frey of Summit County Road & Bridge in Colorado went home with the first-place prize.

“More than 50 operators got to strut their stuff, maneuvering equipment around the obstacle course,” said Kurt Pease, territory sales manager of John Deere Construction & Forestry Co., who partnered with local John Deere dealer Honnen Equipment to provide machines for the event. “Between his skilled operating and his fantastic effort on the written and diagnostic tests, Frey garnered the highest point total of every operator that competed.”

In addition to providing the equipment used in the roadeo, John Deere and Honnen Equipment have sponsored the conference for more than 15 years. Other events at the conference include educational seminars and motivational speakers. Each year, the Snow and Ice Conference generates between 1,000 and 1,500 attendees, most of which come from the central and western United States.

“This event is the highlight of the year for many snow plow operators local municipalities often conduct their own obstacle course events throughout the year and will send the winner to the Snow & Ice Conference Roadeo,” Pease said.

In addition to Frey, two other Colorado operators were in the top four. Second place went to Vic Schroeder of Summit County Road & Bridge; third place was awarded to John Hoppe Pierce of County Public Works of Washington; and fourth place went to Spencer Esch of the town of Breckenridge.

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