The Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming

While my husband and I were on vacation in August we drove from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Cody, Wyoming, where our next stop would be Yellowstone National Park. When we arrived at Cody we saw banners across main street proclaiming that every night in summer there was a rodeo at Stampede Park! Since we are city slickers we knew we couldn't pass the opportunity to see what a rodeo was all about, so as soon as we checked into our motel we headed over to the park.

Now that's a big bull! I'm not sure why I didn't want to sit on his back and have my photo taken, but I decided against that extra dose of excitement for the night

Inside the park the cowboys were preparing the broncos that they would be riding. The Cody Nite Rodeo is the longest running rodeo in the United States, having operated for over 60 years. The announcer told the audience that many of the nation's greatest cowboys started their rodeo careers in Cody.

The festivities began with the singing of the National Anthem, and other patriotic songs and a prayer, all performed in a fast moving ceremony.

The standardized events that characterize rodeo are bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping and bull riding. Many rodeos also include barrel racing, a sport that is dominated by female equestrians. Quite a few young riders were in the calf roping and barrel racing competitions, as many of the local children live and help on ranches and are quite skilled in the saddle.

It was explained that calf roping is a necessary rancher skill, so that a run away or stray calf could be subdued and brought back to the herd.

The cowboy who caught and roped the calf the fastest won points, and ultimately all the points earned over many rodeos would go towards possibly winning a prize.

"Saddle Bronc Riding is the classic event of rodeo. Both the horse and the cowboy are judged by two judges each who are in the arena. The horse is judged by how hard it bucks but the cowboy is judged on form, how much he spurs, and if he has control of the horse. " source

"Bull riding is the most dangerous and the most exciting of the rodeo events. These bulls are very fast, powerful, and can weigh as much as a ton. Consequently, bull riding is saved until the last and no one leaves until the final bull has been ridden. Not only does the bull rider have to stay on the twisting bull for eight seconds, but he also has to escape on foot once he gets off."

source

It was very exciting to watch the bull riding! Notice the "clown" ready to distract the bull away from the rider if he falls off.

I was happy to see some of the cowboys wearing helmets for safety.

It was actually very hard for a cowboy to ride a broncing bull more than a minute -- most were thrown off.

This is one of my favorite photos from the rodeo, as I think it looks like the bull is daring the cowboys to come and get him!

Luckily, none of the riders or animals were hurt during the rodeo, and the competition came to a happy ending. Now that I saw a rodeo I have great respect for the skills of the cowboys and the strength of the animals. It certainly retains the flavor of the "Wild West"!

I am linking this post to Susan at A Southern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday blog event. Please visit her blog today to see links to other participating blogs. Thanks Susan!