Rodeo! Rodeo! Rodeo!

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Overheard by John at the Johnson County Rodeo was “You don’t argue with the Timekeeper” and I think that sums up nicely the apparent attitude of the rodeo competitors. At all three rodeos we attended this season, there was a sense of do your best, take your lumps and don’t complain.  I saw many competitors fall off their horse, calf, sheep or steer and when they did, they got up, brushed themselves off and left the arena with their heads held high.  This attitude was so refreshing!

Each of the rodeos we attended, the Johnson County, Longmire Days and Don King Days rodeos, opened with the National Anthem and Flag Girls (and yes, that is the correct term) carrying the American and the Wyoming state flags as they galloped around the rodeo arena. Everyone stood at attention, men doffed their hats and all held their right hands over their hearts as the National Anthem was played.

Our first rodeo of the season was the Johnson County Rodeo in early August and it was a fascinating start to our visit.  After the National Anthem was played, there was a moving tribute to those cowboys and cowgirls who departed this life since last year’s rodeo. This “Empty Saddles” event consisted of a cowboy riding a horse while leading another horse with an empty saddle into the arena for each of the deceased while the narrator read a short biography of each honoree.

Some of the exciting events were bareback and bronco riding, calf and steer roping and finally, bull riding.  Off to the side there were several young children participating in sheep and calf riding. 

This was a real hoot as the children, wearing a helmet and protective vest mounted the sheep or calf and then were timed for how long they were able to stay on the animal.  Once they fell off, the little ones, just like the adult competitors, picked themselves up, brushed themselves off and helped the next participant to don his protective gear.

Now for all you Longmire book series and Netflix TV series fans … our friend Linda Ottinger, John and I had the pleasure of meeting actor Robert (Rob) Taylor who plays Sheriff Longmire in the Netflix TV series.  I was initially reluctant to bother him for a photo opportunity at the rodeo but as John pointed out, it was the Longmire Days Rodeo and Rob was there to meet his fans and to have his photo taken with them. 

Rob was a delightful gentleman and it was so nice to see how kind he was to his fans.  When children approached him for a photo, he knelt down to be eye to eye with them.  When a solo fan approached, Rob offered to take the selfie for the fan.  His appreciation of and his kindness to his fans was clearly evident.

Longmire wouldn’t exist without the creative talents of author Craig Johnson who lives up the road a few miles from our rental.  John and I had the pleasure of meeting Craig in town and the opportunity to tell him how much we admire his work.  Right now, Craig is on a book tour for his latest Longmire novel Hell and Back and we and our friend Linda are now proud owners of a signed copy of this book.

The Don King Days Rodeo wrapped up the rodeo season for us.  It was 98 degrees that day and the venue, the polo grounds, had no shade so I was very thankful for my cowgirl hat!

As the rodeo took place on the polo grounds, there was no fence separating the spectators from the events. In a standard rodeo arena, a fence and usually a grandstand separate the spectators from the competitors and animals.  There were a few times when the cowboy and the steer he was roping came close enough to us to make our hearts race!

It was fun to watch the cowboys moving the steer herd from an enclosure to the polo grounds.  I sort of wished that I could have joined them in doing so because thanks to Michael and Noreen McInerney of Cahergal Farmhouse B&B in Ireland, I herded sheep and cattle on their beautiful farm. Okay, so it was just for an hour or so, but I did herd sheep and cattle!

Well, I hope that this brings back pleasant memories for my readers who’ve been to a rodeo or two and for those who haven’t, that it gives you a taste of being at a rodeo.

In my next blog post I plan to share with you some of the other activities that we’ve been enjoying in Wyoming.

P.S. In answer to Janet G’s question of whether there is a photo of me herding livestock I offer this photo!

Note:  If you’re thinking about a trip like one of ours in either the USA or Western Europe, please know that I offer travel consultations and curated itineraries for the trip of your dreams. If you would like assistance in planning such a trip for yourself, please contact me on our website’s “Let’s Connect” page or via email at jttripsnpics@gmail.com. 

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