July 20, 2019 - Rodeo Time!

Hmmmmm.  Rodeo.  I have mixed feelings.   Sports that hurt animals for the entertainment of humans are something I would normally rally against.  I'm definitly against dog-fighting, bull-fighting, cock-fighting and the like.  Rodeo's are a mix.  Somethings make me uncomfortable and other things are amazing. 

This is a small town rodeo.  It starts with a parade!   Young men and young ladies are decked out in their western finest!  I could not believe some of the beautiful riding wear that was on display.  Both humans and horses were decked out, braided up, sporting the leather and silver and tassles and such.  So much pride was on display in the faces of these athletes (they are indeed athletes) and it was a thrill to see. 

Yep. Me! Waving from the back of a
Colorado long-horn.  Not my best photo,
but fun and funny

The patriotism was rampant.  American flags and the red/white/blue were everywhere.  There was no politics, not left or right party propoganda, but the love of country was spread generously throughout the crowd, the advertising, the speakers.  This is the west, there was a whole lot of american pride on display.  The opening announcement from the speaker brought tears to my eyes!  They should have taped it!

One of the biggest parts of the rodeo was horsemanship. Mostly ladies.  Young ladies.  "The Royalty" of the rodeo ranged in age from 14 to 21 and they were amazing.  Many of them competed in more than one activity on horseback.  Their love for and partnership with their horses was visible.  The horses were some of the prettiest and talented I've everseen... performers for sure and obvioius pleasure in the doing.

The cowboys were a little less impressive than the cowgirls in my opinion. Or, maybe, I just prefer the horsemanship over the bronco riding or bull riding.   I was cheering for the calves and bulls in most of these cases, and I was happy when they often "won".   Oh my... those were some very fast 'little doggies' and some no nonsense bulls!  The only ones that appeared to be suffering any harm were the cowboys themselves as they got thrown and stomped on by the bulls that 'just weren't having it'.   Yes.  I could do without the bullriding but I honestly felt they did a good job demonstrating that these were working hand skills on display and that they had full respect for the health and welfare of the animals. 

One of my favorite things was the black Percheron working horse team.  A thing of beauty.  A team display of skill and handling and confidence... these horses were so amazing.  My favorite thing for sure.  Side Note:  My mother once told me about her fathers work horses in Oklahoma growing up as a kid and how they were valuable Percheron horses that were quite coveted at the time.  These were those horses and I loved the connection to Mom.  She would have loved seeing these beauties prance around the rodeo ring, working it!

Another funny thing that I loved was the kids, the cowkids!   Here is a bunch of them racing their 'horses' to the finish line.  So fun and these children were having a blast.  The rodeo clown was great in engaging them and making sure they had fun.  so cute!

Stick horses and kids under 7 years in age compete in a "horse race" at the Westcliffe Rodeo.  Love!