Rodeo de Santa Fe

(l-r) Christobal, Judith, Moi, Lisa, Annica, Emilee, Steve

Last week a group of us went to the Rodeo. Most of these people are gone now - their residencies are up, while mine still has a month to go.

Surprisingly - I had an awesome time at the Rodeo. So much of this contemporary cowboy culture is complicated, but such is life. Of course riding a bull/ stallion that has its testicles tied (causing it to buck) is weird. Also steer roping and team steer roping is strange (one lassos the head, the other lassos the two back legs). What's with the MAN vs ANIMAL thing anyway? Seems somewhat unnecessary. But boy, is there some $$ in it!

At least he's wearing a helmet

On the other hand cowgirls compete in barrel racing, where they ride horses around 3 different barrels with a mad dash across the ring at the end. Best time wins. Sequined chaps are a plus. Probably the best event for a rodeo amateur:

go go go go!

Tired Cowboy:

Also, I realize the cowboy hat is a really impressive sight, when seen over and over again in this type of scene (Can you spy the cowgirl in this next photo?)...

The wranglers (orange shirt) have a nice shirt, tie, and chap combination, and are expert lasso-ers:

Can't believe I got this in decent focus!

And lets not forget the Rodeo Clowns.

Best announcer quote of the night, in a texas drawl - "He's got his G.E.D. --- Get 'Er Done degree".

Lastly, there's a beer garden. So picture this, its hot, REALLY dry and dusty, you're holding a $3 ICE cold tecate (with a lime) and watching an orange to pink to purple sunset while horses and sheep and cowboys and their wives and small kids mill around. A nice moment I won't forget for a while.

The Carnies are still scary tho