At the Rodeo

Never having been to a Rodeo, I didn't know what to expect.  It was a terrific evening, filled with pageantry, patriotism, competition, skill, and laughs. And it gave me a glimpse into yet another facet of life, which is so popular and cherished by the cowboys who are an integral part of this many-faceted culture of our country. 
The Rodeo opened with the arrival of the Yakama Nation into the arena.

the Yakima Nation processed into the arena riding down the hill next to the grounds

This was followed by a parade of magnificent horses and riders, carrying American flags, flags of the various sponsors, posses, the Royal Court, and finally wagons with officials of the Fair and Rodeo.   
The competitions commenced after the national anthem and acknowledgement of many veterans from this area.

posses with flags

riders carrying banners

a choreography of stunning horses

the Royal Court all lined up, unfortunately with their rumps to us

rodeo and fair officials arriving in wagons

The rodeo clown arrived as the competitions began.... and just like you see in the movies, I watched in amazement as huge bulls tried their very best to buck their riders off.  The clock recorded how many seconds each cowboy managed to hold on.  
This was followed by other feats, all timed, the crowds cheering at the prowess of the various competitors who managed to hold on the longest to bucking bulls or horses, their bodies flopping about like cloth dolls.  I wondered what that jolting does to their insides...
Other events were calf roping, breakaway roping and steer roping. 
Seconds counted, whether for holding on the longest, or for taking the shortest time to rope a calf or bring down a young steer.  

roping competition

leaping bulls, and JJ the clown inside the barrel, just in case

bucking horses

riderless bull, clowns distracting him

holding on with all his might, single-handed, one arm held up high... incredible

The rodeo clown, JJ, entertained us between competitions and filled in the time while three cowboys encouraged a riderless bull that had thrown his rider, towards the pen gate, or unstrapped the bucking strap from a now riderless bucking horse and coaxed him back to the pen gate, or made sure that the calves and steer ran in the right direction towards their pens. 
At one point three modern day horse chariots (with nice fat tires) pulled by miniature horses arrived into the arena and raced around the track several times. 

The Ellensburg Rodeo, which started in 1923, has grown to become one of America's top 25 rodeos, according to Wikipedia, and second only in the northwest to the famous Calgary Stampede in Canada.  What began as a local competition among ranch hands is now a professional event attracting over 500 contestants who come to win prize money and the sought after gold buckle prize.

The Kittitas County Fair was going on right next door, with traditional cotton candy, elephant ears, food and other vendors, various rides, and exhibits.
This weekend, Ellensburg is active and exciting, and we are a part of it all.

with our NoWACA buddies, Gary and Deb, making our way through the fair to
the rodeo arena after dinner downtown