Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming

Monday was a low-key day for us. Ed wouldn't admit he was tired from the harrowing drive from Sheridan to Cody, but he slept late, took both a morning nap and an afternoon nap, then went to bed as soon as we got home from the rodeo. He's not looking forward to the even steeper climbs on our way into Yellowstone on Thursday, but the report is that there's no construction along our route.

Ed didn't care about going to the rodeo because he'd already been to one. Several friends mentioned Cody's rodeo, so I wasn't about to miss it. I appreciate Ed's indulging me. We sat in the part of the grandstand where we could see the contestants getting ready in the chutes.

When the master of ceremonies asked us to rise, I thought we were going to hear the national anthem. Instead, there was a prayer asking God to bless the the riders and livestock and to be with those who serve in the military and their families. Then several very young girls rode around the arena with American flags while a patriotic song was played.

Each rodeo contestant pays an entry fee and our tickets were $18 each. Entry fees and ticket sales must generate enough funds to pay for the prizes and to keep the rodeo going. It runs every night in June, July, and August.
Behind the scenes.

I'm sure the RVs are handy, though it might be a bit smelly.

I always thought that the broncos bucked because they were wild. I soon figured out that a strap is secured around the animal's body right behind the rider. At the very last minute, that strap is pulled tight -- which causes a lot of pressure and pain in a very sensitive area on the bronco. No wonder they buck!

Those cowboys really take a beating -- they're going to feel it in their bones when they get old! Each contestant is rated on how long he stays on and he gets more points if the animal's bucking is very dramatic. Getting the cowboy off the bronco isn't easy. One of the riders in the arena goes beside the cowboy and somehow pulls him off onto the back of his (the rider's) horse. I took lots of pictures of all the different events (riding the horses and longhorns, lassoing calves, riding for speed, and more). There were also some events with women and other events with children. It all happened so fast that the pictures just didn't capture it at all, not to mention the fact that they were blurry. In the photo above the poor rider is on the right. Notice all the Stetson hats on the guys helping at the chutes.Getting ready to rock and roll! Pull that Stetson down tight because those babies cost a pretty penny!

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