CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Several Ameren workers in Central Illinois are back home with bragging rights after the international lineman rodeo.

The event is held every October in Kansas. More than 1,300 competitors were there from countries like Brazil, Canada and Jamaica. A group of Champaign linemen placed 5th in the best-of-best competition and apprentice Kris Fielder placed fourth in the speed climb out of 450. He said it was exciting doing something he loves and even more satisfying getting admiration from his peers.

“You’re sitting there with all your colleagues, all these people and you see your number put up on the screen,” Fielder said. “It’s an extraordinary feeling and then walking across that stage and having 5,000 people on their feet clapping for you, there’s no feeling like it in the world.”