Lighting for rodeo arenas is advancing and becoming more complex every day. Ensuring your rodeo is appropriately lit is important for the safety of both the public and the animals, too. Safety, aesthetics, and electricity costs are just three reasons why you must put as much thought into lighting your arena as you did building the arena itself. Selecting the correct light source and fixture, safely and appropriately installing it, and ensuring it is all done in a safe manner should be your top priorities when lighting your rodeo arena. Access Fixtures has a wide range of rodeo arena lighting to choose from, including multiple kinds of LED sports lighters. Whether your arena is located indoors or outdoors, Access Fixtures has the lighting solution for you.

  

LED Rodeo Arena Lighting

In the past, metal halide proved to be the most popular option when lighting rodeo arenas. While LEDs have understandably taken the lion’s share of the market, metal halide remains popular due to its bright light and excellent color rendering.

For example, a 1500w metal halide fixture is a powerful fixture with excellent performance, light output, and a good CRI of 65, which means colors under this fixture will appear accurately. The unit is CSA listed for wet locations, making it perfect for use in your outdoor rodeo, and its die-cast aluminum housing and ballast box make the fixture extremely durable. Not to mention its initial light source output of 160,000 lumens. Another benefit to metal halide is that it can achieve efficacies of up to 110 lumens per watt. Most LEDs have surpassed this, but 110 lumens per watt is still commendable. The relatively low upfront cost of metal halide fixtures also adds to their viability, in addition to their flexibility across a wide range of temperatures. These factors make them great for use in outdoor rodeo arenas, where budgets can be tight and temperatures can fluctuate regularly. Two final benefits of metal halide is its relatively quick start-up time and its ability to work well in dirty environments.

Metal halide is impressive, sure, but if you want to be blown away, LED is the answer. LEDs have become so efficient and affordable that they are the go-to solution for almost any lighting project, including rodeo arenas. Unlike metal halide or other lamp-based solutions, LEDs do not waste any light (or energy) by illuminating areas that do not need to be lit. LEDs are directional, meaning they send their light in only one direction; this makes it easy to aim the light exactly where you need it.

To avoid frequent relamping, steeper energy costs, increased warm-up time, and heavier wiring and circuit breakers, choose LED. You will have little to no maintenance, decreased energy costs, instant on-off abilities, dimmable features, and much more. LED performance goes above and beyond any other light source, and though LEDs come with a higher upfront cost, your fixtures will more than pay for themselves over years of reduced energy costs. There is very little an LED cannot do. It’s a no brainer: If you want the best lighting for your rodeo arena, choose LEDs from Access Fixtures.

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Rodeo Arena Sizing and Footcandle Specifications

Typically an average-size rodeo requires approximately 30 footcandles to meet the Class 3 requirements and 50 footcandles for the Class 2 requirements. As a reference, remember that Walmart is lit to approximately 30 footcandles.

Lighting a rodeo arena is different in almost every case. There is no simple out-of-the-box solution that will apply to all rodeo arenas. Evaluate your space and speak to an Access Fixtures lighting specialist about how you can achieve the best lighting for your rodeo. Our rodeo lighting systems are designed to offer a targeted and customized lighting solution for your specific facility. Unlike tennis courts or other sporting arenas, there is no “standard size” for rodeos.

For this reason, you may want to have Access Fixtures run a photometric analysis for your specific space. Our lighting specialists will map out computer simulations of your space and will use software to add or remove fixtures from the layout. If a first layout doesn’t meet your requirements or reveals some kind of flaw, we will adjust and rerun it until you are satisfied with the results. Our lighting specialists can manipulate the type of fixtures, the quantity of fixtures, the aiming angles, and more, in order to provide you with a safe and suitable solution. Once each report is generated, a lighting specialist will walk you through the results so you know exactly what you’re looking at. Running a photometric analysis saves time and money; lighting a rodeo is a timely and expensive investment, so it is crucial to get it right the first time.

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Safety Concerns

Selecting the incorrect fixtures for your rodeo can cause potentially serious damage to the animals, the humans, and the arena itself. Choosing the correct lighting system will not only increase light levels and improve safety, it will provide a more enjoyable overall environment. Consider your main goals and concerns when shopping for a rodeo arena lighting solution. You’ll likely want to be sure to avoid creating dark spots or shadows, for instance. Not only can poor visibility be a distraction for riders and spectators, animals can get easily spooked by shadows and unexpected dark spots. A frantic or fearful horse or bull can be a serious liability. Ensuring your arena is evenly lit in all areas will keep the animals, horses, and patrons safe and calm.

Glare can be just as disruptive. Imagine yourself as a spectator and ask the following questions: What kind of lighting would improve your experience? How can you prevent glare in the peripheral areas? Should the spectator areas and stands be lit in the same way as the rodeo ring or training area? These few short questions come with serious repercussions if left unconsidered or if answered incorrectly. Prioritize and consider each factor of your rodeo arena.

To discuss your priorities and goals, contact a lighting specialist today. The Access Fixtures team will help you answer all those questions, understand the ins and outs of this kind of lighting, and more. Our team of specialists will find a solution to ensure safety is a top priority at all times.

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IP-Protected Fixtures

You are most likely lighting an outdoor rodeo arena, which means you will need fixtures enclosed in housings that protect the light source and wiring from the elements. IP-rated fixtures are used in locations that need excellent lighting in wet and dusty conditions. When choosing a fixture for your outdoor arena, it is important to always pay close attention to the IP ratings on your fixtures. Is it suitable for the intended environment? Will it be protected against outdoor elements? How much protection do the fixtures really need? Ask these questions before choosing an appropriate lighting system for your rodeo. In almost all rodeo lighting cases, selecting a high IP rating is necessary. In an outdoor rodeo arena, your fixtures need to be protected against dust and debris from the rodeo ring, training center, and vehicles, along with any other elements that could affect the performance of your lighting system. Here is a brief summary of IP ratings and their liquid/water protection:

• IP65 – Water resistant
• IP66 – Water resistant against powerful jets
• IP67 – Completely submersible and sealed

Finding out which IP rating you need will ultimately depend on the environment in which your fixtures will be located. Exam your space to appropriately choose which IP rating is suitable for your project; you can also reach the Access Fixtures team at 800-468-9925 for assistance.

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Rodeo Arena Fixtures

Flood lights and sports luminaires are ideal for illuminating large outdoor areas such as rodeo arenas. These fixtures emit large amounts of light, making them hugely popular for arenas, sports lighting, stadiums, and other large spaces. Outdoor flood lights and sports luminaires come in various styles and sizes and can be customized to your specification. For example, they almost always have adjustable beam spreads or various beam spread options, so you can illuminate areas of any size or shape.

Access Fixtures provides an array of lighting suitable for rodeos, including small and large adjustable area lighting with forward throw, cutoff, and wide-angle reflectors. Flood lights will not only appropriately light and accentuate your rodeo arena, they are often an insurance requirement for safety purposes. These commercial-grade units are made for outdoor use and are built to perform and protect against all weather conditions, including vast changes in temperature.

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APTA LED Sports Lighters and High Bays

The APTA LED is an excellent choice. Its versatile design makes it ideal as both a high bay and a flood light. APTA fixtures are most popular in spaces such as detailing shops, warehouses, commercial facilities, and indoor/outdoor led sport lighting.

APTAs are, simply put, very powerful fixtures. APTA comes in a huge range of wattages. The APTA 320 delivers up to 22,388 lumens; all models of APTA are L70 rated at a whopping 200,000 hours. Unlike other high bays out there, the APTA features a modular design that is easy to replace in the event of breakage. The LED chips inside an APTA module are exposed, protecting them from overheating. These LEDs stay cooler and, as a result, last significantly longer. These chips can operate at your desired Kelvin temperature, making it easy for you to achieve the light you want and need.

APTA LED fixtures feature polycarbonate lenses, and the lens on each APTA LED chip is sealed tight against dust and water with an impressive IP rating of 67. APTAs are designed to be virtually maintenance-free and their extreme rated life prevents downtime and makes for consistent performance.

Mounting an APTA is made simple by options for sport mounts (for use on standard 2 ⅜” pole tenons), bracket mounts (for use on walls or ceilings), and hook mounts (for use on ceilings). You can even invert these fixtures and use them to indirectly light the area below. The sport mount and bracket mount are both adjustable, so you can tilt and aim the fixture where you need it. If an adjustable mounting arm isn’t suitable, a direct pole-top mount is a good choice. All in all, the APTA family is the dream fixture for electricians and customers alike.

 

 

Fixture Mounting: Poles

Lighting your outdoor rodeo will mostly likely involve pole mounting your fixtures. Access Fixtures offers 4-inch and 5-inch, 20-foot, 25-foot, and 30-foot steel and fiberglass poles. These poles are almost always stocked and ready to ship. If your project requires a customized pole (e.g., custom cutting, heavy gauge, high wind rating, etc.), Access Fixtures can discuss affordable, reliable solutions with you.

An 11-gauge, 20-foot pole weighs 146 pounds and measures 4 inches in diameter (round poles) or 4” x 4” (square poles), while the 7-gauge, 25-foot pole weighs 256 pounds and is available in both 4” and 5” diameters. 11-gauge, 20-foot poles are the most popular poles sold at Access Fixtures and in most locations are an excellent way to mount your LED fixtures.

All poles are pre-drilled for side mounting and come standard with an easily secured base cover with a single vertical tenon included. Each pole is finished with a bronze polyester powder coat to ensure maximum paint adhesion. All poles ship with mounting hardware and a set of four anchor bolts. If you are mounting multiple fixtures in a single pole, or if your rodeo arena is in a high-wind zone with strict EPA requirements, our lighting specialists will do an EPA analysis and may suggest using stronger poles.

All of Access Fixtures poles and hardware are protected from rust and corrosion with baked-on, polyester powder-coat finishes that help guarantee the ideal hardness and weather resistance. The durability of these poles results in years of hassle-free reliability. Do you need to color match the poles to other parts of your facility? Not a problem. We specialize in custom-painted finishes and can custom-color your poles to any RAL color of your choice. If your rodeo has unique mounting requirements, Access Fixtures lighting specialists will help you explore each option to ensure you get the layout and results that work best for your business.

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Fixture Placement

As previously established, to evenly and appropriately light your rodeo facility, selecting the correct lighting is crucial. The placement of each fixture and pole is dependent on a number of variables, including the application, space, light source, and client preferences. If running a photometric analysis, we will provide you with details like the number of fixtures that are needed for your space and the exact angles to which they should be pointed. The necessary number of poles depends on the size of the ring and the number of fixtures mounted to each pole. Most rodeos require at least four poles, but our team of lighting specialists will discuss the specific needs for your location. If you are unsure about the process, give us a call today at 800-468-9925.

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Speak to an Access Fixtures Lighting Specialist about Choosing the Right Fixture

Access Fixtures is your factory-direct source for all light fixtures needed to suitably illuminate your rodeo arena. Questions about pole mounting? Need help with custom coloring? If you have any lighting question, we will be glad to help get you answer. We want to make sure you get the exact fixture for your needs, your budget, and your goals. We are passionate about lighting and love what we do. To speak with an Access Fixtures lighting specialist, call (800) 468-9925.

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