Tucson Trip: Part III, Rodeo

On Friday we went to La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, the Tucson Rodeo. I’ve never been to a rodeo before and I have to say, aside from some qualms about animal cruelty, it was much more impressive than I thought it would be. Especially the kids, most of them under 10. (To the left, a real live rodeo clown, who thankfully had very little to do.)

	One thing that never occurred to me before is how you get OFF the bronco when you’re done riding. This is how. The two official riders come up on each side of the horse, get it under control and remove the cinch that’s making him buck so hard.
	This looks scarier than the ride itself, frankly.
	Once the two are in position, the rider jumps.
	He hangs onto one rider as the other leads the bronco away.
	The two assisting riders were “the best cowboys in the arena,” according to the announcer.
	Special for rednoodlealien: a successfully hogtied goat in the kid’s rodeo. This girl was the only one to complete this event.
	Barrel racing. Incredibly impressive to see little kids ride like that.
	Another barrel racer headed out of the chute.