Electric linemen from Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative took top honors at the 13th Annual Gaff-n-Go Lineman’s Rodeo, March 28, at Caroline County Agricultural Fairgrounds near Ruther Glen, Va. NOVEC’s linemen competed with more than 150 other linemen from 14 electric utilities in seven states. 

The Gaff-n-Go Lineman’s Rodeo features three-man journeyman teams and individual apprentice linemen who perform a variety of required skills atop 40-foot utility poles. Judges score the competitors on how quickly they can complete each task correctly and safely. The Gaff-n-Go gets its name from the gaff — or metal spike — that linemen attach to their boots to assist in climbing wooden utility poles.