Organisers have cancelled the 16th annual US Open Forklift Rodeo & Safety Expo, which was scheduled for October in Springfield, Ohio.

According to Springfield Clark County Safety Council president Kristina Downing, Safety Council and Forklift Rodeo founder Colonel Dick Higgins had an unfortunate accident a couple of months ago from which he is still recovering.

"After extensive efforts by the steering committee to find a project manager to assume oversight of the forklift rodeo in his absence, we have been unsuccessful in filling his oversized shoes," she notes.

"It is necessary, therefore, to cancel the 2011 Forklift Rodeo event. This was a difficult decision to come to given our respect and affection for Dick. It is our hope that this signature event can be resumed next year."

Downing notes that the local community benefits in many ways from hosting the event, which draws participants from many states, with occasional international participants.

She stresses that all the resources are in place to resume the event for 2012, a complete "how to" manual including timelines, contacts, a committee of volunteers to assist, and an experienced event manager to set up and schedule the events. "What we need is a leader," she says, calling for a volunteer to head up next year's October event.

The cancellation comes after a record participation in last year's competition. Thirty-two teams and a total of 66 forklift operators participated.

Teams and individuals from KTH Parts Industries Inc of St Paris, Ohio cleaned up at the event, with employee Eric Zumbrin named rodeo champion and masters' division winner. Colleague Larry Lawrence was second, and Phil Owings with Keystone Foods/M&M Restaurant Supply in Springfield was third overall.

Forkliftaction.com has been a long-time supporter and sponsor of the event.