Tucson Rodeo - the 100th!

Rodeo cowboys have a tough life. They travel all over the country during rodeo season, and, conditions are not really luxurious! Throw your saddle and bag in the dust, get yourself stretched and bandaged up, take your dusty boots and put on your saddle, a short ride, and on we go,,,  from rodeo to rodeo. The Tucson Rodeo is one of the bigger ones: there is quite a bit of money to earn and step up in the ranking to end up in Las Vegas at the Finals Rodeo in December (on our bucket list!).

First rodeo day yesterday, on the rodeo grounds, with food and souvenir vendors, entertainment, a dance hall, a beer garden and much more:

First event today, at noon: kids' events, starting with mutton busting (pic on the right, sheep riding), then, the main event starts 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:

 

 

Then the competition officially started with Bareback Riding (photos below:

Following competitions are: Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding (below), Tie-down and Team Roping and Barrel Racing (for cowgirls). Bull Riding is one of the most popular competition and, probably, the most dangerous, too.

Steer wrestling:

Team roping:

Tie-down Roping:

Being successful, first of all means to complete the chore to stay on the animal for 8 seconds and deliver a good performance (which requires to get a good bucking horse or bull alloted). Or, it means to rope or catch an anmial as quick as possible by jumping out of the saddle in full flight. In barrel race, ladies have to circle three barrels as quick as possible. 

Staying healthy is a main factor for the cowboys/girls: 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 - physically and mentally!

The Tucson Rodeo - the 100th! - started on Saturday and will take place on two weekends plus next Thursday, introduced by a big parade. We'll miss that this year!

Barrel Racing (only women's competition):

Yes, for sure, professional rodeo is controversely discussed, but it's certainly a popular sport in the Western part of the U.S.A. and Canada rooting in the everyday cowboy work on ranches. We've just recently published an article in German Quarter Horse Journal (2/25) about Tucson Rodeo and rodeo in general, including topics like  animal care and rules. Who ever is interested in that, please, holler, and we'll send you the article. 

In any case, all the animals, bred by special breeders for rodeo livestock (in this case: Beutler & Sons from Oklahoma) look healthy, well taken care for and lively. No scars, shiny fur, strong and fit.There are strict PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) rules that ensure humane treatment of the „animal athletes“. And, since half of the score (in bucking competitions) goes to the horse/bull, half to the cowboy, animals play an important role! An average bucking horse or bull works less than 5 minutes per year in the rodeo arena! A ride takes 8 seconds and each horse is only 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 carefully. 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 otherwise! Same for jumping or dressage horses, or dogs in dog races.  

Bullriding:

We stayed on the platform above the chutes for four hours, just watching and taking photos - so much fun! Not so funny: to get out of the parking lot,,, annoyingly slow, almost an hour! Had to have a beer afterwards in a brewery closeby our "home" in Marana (a "suburb" of Tucson), at Catalina Brewing Company.