HDD Rodeo Showcase Slated for the Utility Expo

Utility contractors are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in underground infrastructure — and nowhere is that innovation more visible than at the HDD Rodeo Showcase, organized by Benjamin Media, at The Utility Expo, Oct. 7–8 in Louisville, Kentucky.

This high-energy event pits top horizontal directional drilling (HDD) crews against each other in a live competition that highlights the precision, speed, and ingenuity required for modern underground utility installation.

Hosted in partnership with Benjamin Media (publisher of Trenchless Technology) and supported by main event sponsors – American Mfg. HDD Products, Ditch Witch West, Kondex, Underground Magnetics and Vermeer – the HDD Rodeo Showcase will feature head-to-head competition using cutting-edge equipment in a live demonstration of best practices in underground utility installation.

“Underground utility work has become a hotbed for innovation,” said Brianne Somers, show director for The Utility Expo. “The HDD Rodeo puts that progress on display and allows crews to demonstrate the skill, strategy, and technology that drive the industry forward.”

The 2024 champion Ward Trenching will defend its title, competing for 1st place bragging rights and prizes donated by HDD Rodeo sponsors.

The top six crews from the 2024 HDD Rodeo were invited to compete in the HDD Rodeo Showcase at Utility Expo, joined by two standout crews from PG&E—bringing together some of the best in the industry.

Beyond the HDD Rodeo Showcase Competition

The Utility Expo is the premier destination for those working in horizontal directional drilling:

• More than 140 exhibitors will showcase cutting-edge HDD equipment, tools, and trenchless solutions — explore them now in our online directory: https://directory.theutilityexpo.com/home
• Two dedicated Walking Classrooms offer on-the-ground education tailored to HDD professionals, including Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD): Fundamentals of the Technology and Applications and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD): Challenges and Good Practices for a Successful Installation.

And with key industry leaders involved — including Utility Expo Management Committee Chair Brian Metcalf of Ring-O-Matic, a Rodeo sponsor — the event brings together decision-makers who are shaping the future of underground utility installation.

“This is about more than bragging rights,” said Joe Ward owner of Ward Trenching. “We want to show what’s possible when the right tools, training, and teamwork come together. HDD is the future of utility installation, and we’re proud to be part of raising that bar.”

Benjamin Media spearheaded the original HDD Rodeo in December 1998, when HDD was coming to the forefront of the trenchless industry. As the economy slowed, the event was placed on hold — until 2024.

“This is more than a competition—it’s a platform for promoting industry standards and celebrating skilled professionals,” said Benjamin Media president and CEO Rob Krzys. “We’re proud to bring our expertise in underground construction to a show as influential as The Utility Expo.”

The 2025 HDD Rodeo Showcase at The Utility Expo promises to be the biggest and most exciting yet, with more than 1.5 million square feet of equipment, education, and live-action demonstrations designed for utility construction professionals.

For more information about the HDD Rodeo Showcase or to register for The Utility Expo 2025, visit theutilityexpo.com.