MOLINE, Illinois (September 27, 2007)-Toughest obstacle course west of the Mississippi? Check. Fleet of slick motor graders and loaders? Check. Hot shot operators from all over the country? Check. All of this and more greeted spectators at the national "Motor Grader Roadeo" competition for snow plow operators, held September 25 at the Western Snow & Ice Conference in Estes Park, Colo.

Dale Frey of Summit County Road & Bridge in Colorado went home with first place.

In addition to providing the equipment used in the Roadeo, John Deere and Honnen Equipment have sponsored the conference for more than 15 years. Other events at the conference include educational seminars and motivational speakers. Each year, the Snow and Ice Conference generates between 1,000 and 1,500 attendees, most of which come from the central and western United States.

Listing of the first through fourth place winners