LADIES OF THE RODEO

Long before Buffalo Bill Cody created the first major American rodeo in 1882 

there were ranch-versus-ranch competitions to test the skills of the people 

of the cattle industry in events such as bronc riding, bull riding and roping.

Most rodeos have queen contests for several age groups. 

Being a rodeo queen requires skills in western style horse riding, 

public speaking, rodeo knowledge, appearance and personality.

At our July Fourth rodeo there are always plenty of cowboys 

showing off their strength and flair in the riding of...

...the bucking horses and bulls and the wrestling of big calves to the ground, 

but more and more I’ve seen the ladies enter and win in the events 

that demanded horsemanship and dexterity.

Barrel racing has traditionally been an event for the cowgirls.

It is almost a dance involving horse and rider as they 

speed through a course around barrels in the arena…

…and then race full tilt back to the start to try and score the quickest time.

Muttin’ Bustin’ is open to any boy or girl willing go for a ride 

while hanging on to a rope around a sheep’s middle.

This year’s first place trophy went to a very feminine red head.

Some of the best calf roping was done by the ladies.

Lady ropers and their horses compete with the same rules as the men.

When the calf scramble was announced for anyone between the ages of 

eight and eleven our granddaughter and her BFF jumped up 

and hurried down to the arena with the rest of the kids.  

That’s her in the burgundy shirt and her friend is on the far left. 

Note the granddaughter is wearing flip-flops.  

That didn’t seem to slow her down at all.

When everyone was ready a calf covered with dollar bills was turned loose.  

The crowd of youngsters kicked up quite a cloud of dust 

in the stampede to grab some cash.

Check out that burgundy shirt on the right just missing the money.  

Her friend was right there too.

They came back empty handed.  Granddaughter said she was going for the 

five dollar bill on the calf’s head or nothing.