Riders have only just burst from the box and the first rider has already flung his lasso at the calf’s neck.

One of the most enjoyable things about my annual summer road trip, (which I call the “Retirement Doesn’t Suck Tour”), is seeking out events, like rodeos, that provide fabulous photo opportunities and great subjects to write about. During my three-month sojourn, traveling over 11,000 miles around the US this summer, I stumbled upon a special one, occurring over the July 4 weekend, in the town of “Leon” Iowa. This was a celebration of their 59th annual rodeo.

As I hadn’t contacted the organizers prior to driving there, I just showed up a day before the event hoping that my NATJA credentials could work some magic. Once I had arrived on the grounds, I hunted down the head honcho/committee chairman “Mark Smith”. I introduced myself, presented my media pass, and offered to write an article about their rodeo and provide his committee the use of my photographs in exchange for access to the event. To my pleasant surprise Mark loved the idea and he graciously offered me a parking spot in their staff-row for my trailer and even access to the shower block.  This was mid-west hospitality at its finest and a huge “thank you” goes to Mark and the committee for making this a great experience. I stayed there for four fun-filled days, soaking up the ambiance of the small-town rodeo and capturing some of its great images.

As I wandered the grounds before the opening ceremonies each night, scoping out the best photo locations, I soon noticed that I was probably the only adult male in the arena (and possibly all of Iowa) not wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a cowboy hat! Somehow, I always manage to stick out from the crowd.

The opening ceremonies were capped off with the landing into the arena of 74 year old skydiver, “Bobby Reid”

Since it was the 4th of July weekend the arena stands were tightly packed and the “Red White and Blue” fluttered from pretty much everything that stood upright. Brisket smoke from the numerous blazing barbecues lazily wafted through the air while a constant flow of country music blared from loud speakers. I could almost taste the food sizzling all around me just by breathing in deeply. This was an “Americana” holiday weekend at its best, which was very good!

Eleven year old Kate Davidson from Ash Flat Arkansas put on a dazzling display of horse training and riding.

Each evening the rodeo began with a dozen or so young cowgirls demonstrating a fabulous performance of Synchronized Parade Riding followed by the announcement of the new Rodeo Queen. The crowd was then invited to stand for the National Anthem and join in a Prayer for the Athletes’ Safety.

“Mutton Busting” where children as young as three years old were placed atop sheep and then they desperately clung to its wool as the bewildered animal was goaded to scamper down the arena.

Looking around at the sheer number of children in attendance it became apparent to me that rodeos are very much family affairs and I quickly learned why. The first events each evening were aimed specifically at children, notably, “Mutton Busting”, the “Critter Scramble”, the “Wild Pony event”, the “Calf scramble”, and the “Calf riding” events.

In the ‘calf scramble’, children chase after three or four calves in the arena that have stickers attached to them. If a child grabs a sticker from a calf they win a prize.

In the “Critter Scramble” children were invited into the arena to try to catch bunnies and chicks placed in the center of the arena. Parents were forewarned that there were no “give-backs.” If your kid caught it… it’s yours.

“Critter Scramble” – parents must have face palmed and sighed as their child ran back to them gleefully clasping a baby chicken or bunny.

In the “Wild Pony” event teams of three children try to drag an untamed, obstinate pony across a line in the dirt.  One of them is pre-assigned to ride the pony across another line further down the arena and if they can do that quicker than the other teams, they win.

In the “Wild Pony” event teams of three children try to drag an untamed, obstinate pony across a line in the dirt. One of them is pre-assigned to ride the pony across another line further down the arena. If they can do it quicker than the other teams, they win.

The last youth event is “Calf Riding” for the teens. The rules are much the same as for the adult version of the event.  Perhaps one of these promising young riders will be tomorrow’s champion.

Once the kids have had their fill of fun it’s time for the main events of the night. The first rough stock event was, “Bareback Riding.” Cowboys must remain on the horse for at least eight seconds to score and their free hand must not touch any part of themselves or the horse.  The best possible score is 100, with half coming from the rider’s ability, and half from the horse’s aggressiveness. A rider can request, but not necessarily receive, a re-ride if his horse wasn’t especially aggressive.

This young rider was one of only a few teens who held on for the full 8 seconds earning him a rousing ovation from the crowd.

“Barrel Racing” spotlights the cowgirls. Riders burst into the arena tripping a light beam to begin their timed run. They must then race a pattern around three barrels and sprint out of the arena tripping another light beam.  If they knock over a barrel it adds 5 seconds to their time and effectively eliminates any chance to win the event.

Clara Morris, Missouri State barrel riding champion guides her horse around the last barrel.

“Men’s Calf Roping” is a timed event where riders must give the calf a lead-time before bursting out of the box. They must then lasso the calf, jump off their horse, run over and flip the calf to the ground and then tie at least three of its legs, which must then remain tied for at least six seconds.

Monty Dyer, Vice President of the United Rodeo Association displays his unique left handed lasso skill in men’s calf roping.

In “Women’s Calf Roping” the rules vary slightly from the men’s event. It’s still a timed event but they are not required to jump off and tie the legs of the calf.

The cowgirls were highly skilled in quickly snagging a sprinting calf.

“Saddle Bronc Riding” is the “classic” rodeo event and similar to bare back riding in the scoring. The main differences lay in the gearing of the horse and rider.  Both cowboys and cowgirls compete in this event.

MRCA and URA all around bareback riding champion Maverick Griffen displays his winning style.
Sometimes you’re not even out of the gate and the bronc is quite clearly telling you to get off.

“Steer Wrestling” is another timed event. The cowboy must burst from the gate and drop from his horse onto the running steer and then grab its horns and wrestle it onto its back with all four legs pointing upward. A second rider, known as a ‘Hazer’, participates by keeping the steer running in a straight line.

Bull riding was the highlight of the rough stock events.

“Men’s Team Calf Roping” involves two riders; one must rope the calf’s neck and the other ropes both of its hind legs. Then both riders must face off to each other.  (I was stunned at the accuracy of the rider lassoing the calf’s hind legs).

Riders have only just burst from the box and the first rider has already flung his lasso at the calf’s neck.

I considered the “Bull Riding” event to be the premier photographic opportunity of the rodeo, not only because of their sheer size and weight, but also because of the ferocity of the beasts. As a photographer I often seek out unique positions to capture interesting images. This time I thought that being right behind the chute where the bulls burst forward would be an ideal spot! It was interesting … but terrifying!

When the gate flung open for this ride the bull immediately spun to the left, reared its hind quarters and let fly with a vicious double barrelled kick. The loud “PRANGGGGGGGG” that echoed in my ears as the bulls legs smashed the wrought iron bars inches from my face momentarily stopped my heart. Had those bars not separated that 1,600 pounds of solid muscle from my head your humble narrator would likely be composing this story with a pack of crayons and drool on my chin. The clots of dirt that flung from its legs and hooves covered my face and body. I deemed this as a good thing though because the mud splats on my clothing perfectly camouflaged the fact that I’d crapped my pants.

At the end of the fourth night, after the last bull had flung off its unwelcome passenger, and the fans had filed out, and the lights were turned off for the final time, I actually felt a few melancholy pangs as I looked around the arena. While there are over 600 rodeos held in America each year, and some are iconic, like the massive week long “Calgary Stampede” in Alberta (which may have Hollywood actor Kevin Costner as its parade Marshall), and “Frontier Days” in Cheyenne, Wyoming (which may have country music superstars Brooks and Dunn performing center stage), no other rodeos can surpass the beautiful soul of a small-town rodeo like the one held in the heartland of America, Leon Iowa.

Performances also included the ‘Wichita War Dancers’ first nations Comanche Kevin Browning, from ‘War Pony Productions’

Well done, guys. Well done.

Nick Jordan, the 2021 IRCA champion bareback rider lasted for the full 8 seconds.
I bet your rodeo doesn’t have Mark Webber from Bloomington Illinois blasting away with his flame thrower!