At the South Texas State Fair, the safety of rodeo participants and livestock is heavily reliant on the specially engineered dirt used in the arena. According to Donnie Warner, chairman of the Young Men's Business League Rodeo, the arena floor comprises 12 to 13 inches of dirt, which is meticulously placed and maintained. This dirt sits atop a concrete foundation originally designed for a hockey rink, which presents unique challenges for organizers, particularly due to the underlying ice-freezing piping. To create a safe surface, between 60 and 70 dump trucks of dirt are brought in, watered, and worked to ensure a solid base. Safety is paramount, as noted by rodeo judge Blue Jeanes, who emphasizes that good footing is crucial to minimizing accidents. To further enhance safety, organizers have established a separate pile of dirt specifically for rodeo events, avoiding contamination from debris associated with other activities like monster truck shows. The ideal dirt mixture of 60% clay and 40% sand provides a softer landing surface, ensuring better footing and reducing the risk of injuries during competitions.