The rodeo begins with flames and fireworks
It was with a sense of excited anticipation and nerves that I approached my first visit to a rodeo. In Australia, rodeos are limited to the outback and most city folk don't know much about them, so while I was excited to be experiencing something new, I was a little apprehensive, particularly about the treatment of the animals. I (kind of) looked the part in my cowboy boots and hat, the next step was to feel the part and get into the rodeo spirit.
The cowboys and cowgirls are acknowledged
The nanny, the teacher and the cleaner
The atmosphere of the event was fantastic, the announcers did a great job of hyping up the audience and the competition certainly was thrilling. Before Monday, I really didn't have a clue of what a rodeo actually was, so here is a little run down for other rodeo novices out there. The rodeo consists of a number of different events - bareback riding (bucking horses), bull riding (bucking bulls), tie-down roping (chasing cows and roping them so they don't move), steer wrestling (chasing a cow, throwing yourself off to wrestle a cow to the ground), barrel racing (riding a horse as fast as you can in a clover leaf pattern around 3 barrels) and wild pony racing (3 children chasing a wild pony and holding it while one of the children jumps on the pony's back).
Bareback riding
Bareback riding
My mixed emotions continued throughout the day and I enjoyed most of the events, except the bareback riding. Seeing a horse bucking violently made my stomach turn, a feeling that was amplified when one of the horses went down and didn't get back up - a horrific start to the day. Despite my companions' reassurance that the cinch around their belly doesn't hurt the horse and the fact that the horses have been trained to buck, the sport still didn't sit very well with me. However, I was surprised at how beautiful the horses were - I was expecting mangy old creatures but some of the horses were simply gorgeous and would fit right in wearing a dressage saddle (well, perhaps not with the bucking!). I was surprised to learn that the horse, as well as the rider, received marks for their performance - the bigger and better the bucks, the higher the score.
Bareback riding
Nearly off ...
The bull riding was a lot of fun and you can't help but marvel at the size of the animals and their horns. The bulls were such mean looking creatures, the cowboys and distracting clowns certainly must be very brave (or stupid?!) to enter the arena with the menacing animals.
... and a graceful dismount
A dejected and muddy cowboy leaves the arena
The tie down roping event seemed to be the most practical of the events as it is still practiced on ranches as a way of capturing the calves to perform duties such as branding. The steer wrestling was a lot of fun and again, it takes a brave person to jump off a galloping horse and wrestle a cow (complete with horns) to the muddy ground.
Steer wrestling
Got him!
There were very few women participating in the events and barrel racing was the sole girls only event. It reminded me of Pony Club games as a child and looks like a lot of fun to race around the barrels.
Chasing the calf out of the arena
Ladies barrel racing
Perhaps the most entertaining and fun event was the wild pony racing. Three children are let loose into the arena with a 'wild' pony. Their job is to hold the pony long enough for one of the participants to jump on their back.
Ladies barrel racing
Ladies barrel racing
Following the rodeo events (and in an attempt to stay warm), I wandered through the Clydesdale stables, admiring the size and beauty of the animals, before ending up at the Saddledome, the big indoor arena on the Stampede grounds. Here, I watched the sport of cattle penning for the first time. Now this looks like a fun and practical sport to give a shot. A team of three cowboys and cowgirls are let into the arena to 'pen' the cattle. Each cow has a number on its back and the announcer calls out which cow number the team need to pen. Then, the riders do their best to separate their given number (there are three of each number) out of the herd, get them to the other end of the arena and into the pen. Herding just three cows out of a herd of thirty is no easy feat, but most of the teams managed to complete the job in the incredibly fast time of 30-50 seconds. Cattle penning not only looks like a fun sport to try, but it is also a great spectator sport. You find yourself cheering for the riders, shouting at the cows and trying to shoo them down the correct end in your mind, for a wrong numbered cow in the pen means disqualification. The family's ranch runs cow penning nights, so this could be added to my growing list of equestrian activities.
Ready to ride ... this bull was very keen and tried to climb out of the barrier
The clown was very entertaining ... but safety is important too - he climbs inside the barrel if the bull comes towards him
In the evening, it was time for the chuck wagon racing, a traditional event that is only found in western Canada. Teams consist of a wagon pulled by four horses followed by several 'out riders', single riders who follow their team's wagon. To begin the event, the wagons race around barrels in the main arena and then head out around the regular racetrack. The out riders must start on the ground, jump onto their horses and chase their wagons around the track. It is a fantastic competition to watch, the speed and agility of the wagon horses is amazing. Following the chuck wagon races, a big grandstand show is held in the arena, complete with fireworks, but I was far too cold (it was about 8 degrees and rain all day - yes, it is summer here) to stay, so I'll have to go back another day to see the show.
Bull riding
Bull riding
The question remains, "Did I enjoy the rodeo enough to go back again?" My mixed feelings still remain - I'm not 100% convinced that rodeo events are cruelty free, but the atmosphere of the event was fantastic and most of the events are definitely exciting to watch. And, I must admit that watching the cowboys do their thing is just a little bit sexy. So, at this stage, I can't say that I will become a die-hard rodeo fan, but with a little more research into how the sports are operated, it could be an event to enjoy from time to time.
... and off he comes
I am glad I don't have the job that these guys do
A reluctant (and very heavy) bull is coaxed out of the arena
Wild pony racing ... a kids event
Dragged through the mud by a 'wild' pony
Nearly got him!
More mud sliding
These ponies don't look wild!
Ready to begin the cattle penning
All in!
Chuck wagon racing
Chuck wagon racing
The out riders follow the chuck wagons
And they're off!
On the home straight
