The Rodeo, or “Cowboy Tournament” as it was originally
called, is said to have started in Prescott, Arizona on July 4th,
1888. Influenced by the Spanish cowboy lifestyle known as Vaquero, the purpose of the 1888 rodeo was to bring all the skills
and lifestyle of cowboys into a structured tournament, hence there were prizes
for winners. The success of this show made the rodeo most popular in North
America. Indeed, in Canada, the Calgary Stampede Rodeo, which started in 1912, today
incorporates more competitive programs such as Junior Steer Riding, Ladies
Barrel Riding and Bull Riding. The one
in Prescott stays within the original spirit of Bareback Bronco Riding, Saddle Bronco,
Steer Wrestling and Tie-Down Roping, to reflect the true working cowboy’s
lifestyle on the farm.
So it was very tempting to go to the World’s Oldest Rodeo in
Prescott on opening day, June the 29th.
I was looking forward to taking pictures, although the show
started after sunset, challenging the functional limits of any photography tool
I have. But I was most disappointed when I learned that telephoto lenses were
not allowed! Knowing that I could not be in a crowd without a camera hanging
from my neck, I took a fixed lens camera just for fun. The pictures that follow
have therefore been enlarged to various extents as I took them from at least 50
meters away with an 85mm lens.
… The rodeo grounds are simple and without fanfare. The show
started with cowgirls parading around with flags, then national anthem was sang,
and a series of galloping demonstrations followed.
The central structure of the arena is historic and this is where
the announcers have their booths, and from under which the broncos enter the
arena. It was already dark when the show started.
My favorite was the riding of the broncos. These beautiful
horses did everything to throw the rider off their backs and some did so more
spectacularly than others.
When the rider was down, some of the horses seemed to
celebrate their achievement by continuing their bucking. I learned that these horses have a “flank
strap” put on which causes discomfort and encourages them to kick out. When the
rider is down, other riders reach out to the bronco and take the strap out. At
that point the horse calms down and in a 180 degree volte-face, walks to the
gates under the main structure in a nonchalant way!
Sometimes, when the steer wrestler misses the lassoing and
falls from his horse, the steer does the same thing as the previously bucking bronco.
This steer came closer to the stands and gave me that look that says “See,
sometimes the steer wins!” The light shining in his eyes makes him especially
memorable.
When a cowboy falls, his peers make sure that he is ok. This
is a competition but not at any cost. The camaraderie among cowboys is most
charming to see.
… Summer rainstorms and thunder arrived at the end of the
rodeo show. I was pleased that this was not a hi-tech event with huge screens,
fancy singers or dancers. It was what I was hoping for: a historical event that
is kept as close as possible to its original raison d’être.
In the car, as the rain was forcing all drivers to go slow
in the streets that are very dimly lit, I kept on thinking about the symbolism
of a lasso. Eventually we capture ideas, hopes and even others with both
visible and invisible lassos. Perhaps the lasso of idealism is the most
far-reaching and the skill of the user most demanding.
And then, I remembered a photo I had taken a few days
before. The posture of this young woman using a hula hoop was so similar to the
cowboys and their lasso! I secretly smiled thinking that perhaps the young lady
was more skillful with her lassoing techniques than some of the cowboys!
July 2, 2015
© Vahé A. Kazandjian, 2015
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