TILTON, Ill. (WCIA) — For more than 40 years, the International Lineman’s Rodeo has drawn in the most skilled utility workers around the world for conferences, exhibits and a rodeo competition. Ameren Illinois is sending six apprentices to the rodeo — three are based in Central Illinois.

The three apprentices faced off against other Illinois utility workers to attend the rodeo.  

Apprentice lineman Devin Richards said he’s looking forward to a couple of things at the expo. 

“I’m just excited to meet all the people there. We’ll have over 400 apprentices there with us. There’s even a time that we all get to trade shirts with everybody and just meeting new people,” Richards said. 

The rodeo is more than just socializing. There will be five competitions, including a general knowledge test, rescuing a hurt man, two mystery contests, and speed climbing.

Apprentice lineman Jakob Weder said the speed climbing competition is not an easy task. 

“You just climb up as fast as you can and you’ll climb up and throw a bag to the ground and take an egg out of that bag,” Weder said. “Put [the egg] in your mouth and you gotta come down really fast without cracking the egg.”

Weder said he has definitely cracked an egg while performing the stunt. 

“I’ve cracked a few. I don’t know how many, but probably three or four. I try not to crack them,” Weder said.  

The International Lineman’s Rodeo will be held Oct. 15 through Oct. 18 in Overland, Kansas.