Gator-fightin’
fun at the rodeo
ARCADIAN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com
Trey Huntoon, left, and Andy Riffle of The Gator Boys share a laugh as spectators line up to see the gators up close. The two are among the real-life licensed alligator trappers appearing on Animal Planet's popular TV show. They gave performances during the rodeo in the arena, as well as before and after the events in the livestock barn.
ARCADIAN PHOTO BY KELLEY BAKER, skfshowcattle@aol.com
Jimmy Riffle, one of the Gator Boys from the Animal Planet TV show, demonstrates his control over an alligator during a break in the rodeo action. Several of the lilcensed trappers of the Gator Boys were in Arcadia over the weekend and were available to meet spectators and give autographs.
Walking around the grounds of this year’s Arcadia rodeo, it was hard to ignore the large crowds gathered in the livestock barn. The standing-room only spectators were there for one thing: alligator wrestling.
After years of sharing their conservation message with local audiences in south Florida, Jimmy Riffle, Andy Riffle and Trey Huntoon became overnight celebrities thanks to their appearances on Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” television show. The trio were featured performers during this year’s rodeo, entertaining crowds both inside the barn and during live performances in the arena between rodeo events.
