New Mexico Stampede

This past Saturday night we went to the New Mexico Stampede rodeo.  Galloping Grace Youth Ranch is the official charity of the event and we were given 100 tickets for our volunteers.  We made the night into a volunteer appreciation event.

One reason I love rodeos is the patriotic openings and they do a good job at the Stampede.

The first event is the bareback bronc riders.  I think this is the hardest event in that it seems to a terrifically hard beating on the rider’s back and neck.  It also probably hurts when you hit the ground.

The next event is the steer wrestling.  It was a tough night for most of the competitors as they hard a hard time catching up with the steers.

This guy started off well.

But it took him forever to get the steer thrown.

Then it was the tie down roping.  I love to watch the horses work in this event.

Next was the saddle bronc riders.

One of the saddle broncs decided he didn’t want to wait in the chute for his ride to start – so he tried to get out on his own.

After that excitement, the team ropers took the stage.

The next to the last event is the barrel racing and this is one of my favorites.

Finally, the bull riders.  These guys are both brave and nuts - all at the same time.

Some riders find themselves in a ‘close encounter’ with the bull and that’s when the bull fighters earn their pay.

And some more.

Fortunately, no one was hurt and it was a fun and enjoyable evening. Go cowboys!