A&N Electric Cooperative teams and apprentices had several top 10 finishes in the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo competition this year.
Celebrating the 21st anniversary in showcasing the skills and hard work of utility lineworkers, this year’s event was the largest ever with more than 350 competitors registered to compete from 12 states as far away as Hawaii.
“We are excited to celebrate 21 years of honoring our lineworkers with this competition, that gives their family members and others an opportunity to see the work they perform — with an emphasis on safety — during the worst weather,” says Brian Mosier, president and CEO of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, host of the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo. “The quality of this event and the teamwork behind putting it all together has taken this rodeo to new heights. We have surpassed last year’s record numbers and look forward to working with Altec to maintain the Gaff-n-Go’s reputation as one of the premier industry rodeos in the U.S.”
The events began Friday morning following the opening ceremony and a special presentation of a Gubernatorial Certificate of Recognition recognizing May 17, 2025, as Electric Utility Lineworker Day in the commonwealth. Competitors from 30 teams participated in equipment operator events that afternoon.
The A&N team comprised of Jacob Baldwin, Garrett Baylis and Jason Blake had a ninth-place overall finish in the Equipment Operators competition. The team also placed eighth in the Equipment Operator’s Wire Transfer Competition with the A&N team of Denny Crockett, Spencer Nottingham and Jake Parker placing ninth in the same event.
Team Baldwin, Baylis and Blake also scored an 11th place finish in the Digger Derrick/Mini-Excavator Obstacle Course Competition. and a 12th place finish in the Bucket Truck Hurtman Rescue.
“We compete in the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo to celebrate the skill, dedication and teamwork of our lineworkers,” says Dominion Energy Manager of Electric Operations & Construction Marty Bowman. “It’s a powerful way to build camaraderie, strengthen relationships and honor the craft through friendly competition.”
Saturday features the main events during which lineworkers climb utility poles and perform a variety of tasks to simulate real-life scenarios, such as a pole-top rescue of an injured lineworker.
Apprentices compete individually, while journeymen work in teams of three.
A&N’s Adam Wirth was the eighth overall apprentice in the competition scoring a total of 492 points out of a possible 500, and missing first place by only 4 points.
Jose Carreras scored a fourth-place finish in the Written Test portion of the competition, the highest ever finished for an A&N apprentice.
“This event and its judging are based on safety and accuracy,” says VMDAEC Vice President of Safety and Training Alan Scruggs. “Competitors aspire for a perfect score. Speed is secondary in every event but those involving a rescue of an injured worker. It’s not just speed there, either; it’s about doing it correctly and efficiently.”
Many Gaff-n-Go Rodeo competitors will continue on to the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas, in mid-October.
This year’s family-friendly and free event took place May 16-17 at Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Va.
A&N’s Len Mapp, Bernie Hastings and Curtis Taylor served as judges for this year’s event.