"La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros" - part 2, rodeo

 

This was the 99th Tucson Rodeo this year. We walked back from the parade grandstands to the rodeo arena (about 3 mi.), picked up our media credentials, had lunch and explored the grounds. Then, at noon, the Junior Rodeo competitions (for kids) started, including popular Mutton Baskin’ (sheep riding, photo below), barrel racing, bull riding for boys, roping.

 

The main event (above inspection of the arena) followed at 2 pm in the afternoon with an official Opening Ceremony –  the presentation of all the military divisions’ flags and the U.S. flag, a prayer and the National Anthem (pics below):

 

Then the competition traditionally (same with all rodeos) starts with Bareback Riding and ends with Bull Riding. Inbetween there is Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie-down and Team Roping and Barrel Racing (only for cowgirls). Bull Riding is one of the most popular competition for viewers and media (probably the most dangerous, too), and, they have their own Bull Riding Association and their own competitions as well. Lot of money involved! 

Bareback and Saddle Bronc competitors above

Steer Wrestling

Team Roping

Tie-down Roping

Barrel Racers below:

,,, and Bull Riding:

Rodeo cowboys  have a tough life. They travel around, from rodeo to rodeo, during the season, to win price money at events like the one in Tucson, which is given by big sponsors like Jack Daniels, Coors or Wrangler. There is more money to earn at the big/prestigious events, less at smaller ones. By taking part successfully and winning, rodeo cowboys get into a ranking, and, simplified: the best ones end up in Las Vegas at the Finals Rodeo in December.

Being successful first of all means to complete the chore, which means to stay on the animal for 8 seconds and deliver a good performance (provided, rider gets a good bucking horse alloted, read below) or to rope or catch an anmial as quick as possible. Also, in barrel race, ladies have to circle three barrels and the best time counts. Staying healthy is another main factor: broken bones and other injuries are nothing unusual and cowboys invest a lot of time in taping, bandaging, stretching and getting prepared properly for the short ride (see above).

Usually, the big rodeos - e.g. Houston, San Antonio, Cheyenne, Calgary, Pendleton - go over several days and have a declared winner every day, plus an „all-around cowboy“ for the event. Around a rodeo there is usually either a stock show or/and a fair with rides, food vendors, vendors, bars/saloons, dances or concerts going on.

  

Professional Rodeo is controversely discussed, but for sure a popular sport in the Western part of the U.S.A. and Canada rooting in the cowboy work on ranches. Of course, there are people saying it is mis-treatment of livestock, but, on the other hand, watching the horses and bulls in the pen, which were designated to „buck“ or to be caught in the competitions, you can’t avoid the impression, that those animals are healthy, well taken care for and lively. No scars, shiny fur, strong and fit.

Fact is that there are special breeders for rodeo livestock, meaning bucking horses, bulls and calves. There are strict PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) rules that ensure humane treatment of the „animal athletes“. BTW: half of the score (in bucking competitions) go to the horse/bull, half to the cowboy. There are veterinarians present, and, animals are checked on their health before the competition.

And, consider this: the average bucking horse or bull works less than 5 minutes per year in the rodeo arena. A ride takes 8 seconds and each horse just is used once in each rodeo and gets rest inbetween competitions. Injuries are rare and most animals reach high age being kept in very comfy conditions, fed with quality feed and treated with care. They are very valuable to the owner and sell for high prices. Not every regular ranch horse (and, especially not cattle) has such a good life. Same for jumping or dressage horses (which are highly admired in our country), or, dogs at dog races.

It's been a fun day, we enjoyed it and plan to be back for the 100th rodeo!