It’s Labor Day weekend. I ate a burger that was larger than what should have been able to fit in my stomach. I drank beer…
And I went to a rodeo.
I feel excessively American right now.
All and all it was certainly a unique experience. The rodeo circuit is a culture I was, up until now, completely unfamiliar with. There we speed races, bronco ridin’, calf wranglin’, and bucking bull riding’. The craft services pretty much paired with a local festival or fair.
The lead rodeo clown was a bit of a pleasant surprise – he actually had a comedy routine. Furthermore, he was pretty funny.
This really all pales in comparison to the action. I was expecting some flailing and danger and whatnot, but… OK – here’s the lineup:
- Steer wrestling: These guys ride on their horse along side a steer, fly off the back of the horse, land on the steer, tackle it to the ground, tie it up…
- Steer wranglin’: One step better – the old rope and horn routine where they ride behind the steer and try to lasso it. The dude got the steer, jumped off his horse, and body slammed a cow. I know – that snuck up on you fast. Let me recap so you can absorb it – HE BODY-SLAMMED A COW.
- Bull riding: Well you know what that is, but did you know you’re allowed to stand RIGHT next to the fence? I had my camera INSIDE THE RING. That didn’t count for much though because the second they opened the paddock, the rider got thrown and slammed between a 6 foot steel fence and half a ton of rampaging bull.
It was awesome. I want to go again. Here are some pictures.
– Jon
JonKPhoto 