Kicking Up Some Dust at the Rodeo

There are various thoughts on the origins of rodeo.   One idea is that it began not as a sporting event, but an essential part of cattle ranching in the Spanish-influenced areas of California in the mid-1800s.   Buffalo Bill Cody held a rodeo as part of his Wild West Show in North Platte, Nebraska in 1882.   And Pecos, Texas claims it held the world’s first rodeo on July 4, 1883.    Regardless of where it began, however, Texas does rodeo pretty well.   Taylor native Bill Pickett, for instance, an African-American, indeed invented the sport of bulldogging, also referred to as steer wrestling.   One thing I do know is that photographing rodeos in small and mid size Texas towns is a wonderful (if dusty) experience.   I had the honor to again photograph Georgetown’s Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo this past weekend in their picturesque arena near San Gabriel Park.   It was the 71st year for their event.    On hand was famed rodeo clown Leon Coffee, a member of the Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.   The competitors gave maximum efforts, including the little folks taking part in Mutton Bustin, where skills are honed riding a sheep.    3-year-old Chase Anderson of Andice, Texas climbed up a fence to check out the livestock before taking his first-ever sheep ride.   His father, Travis, had done the same many years back.   9-month-old Wyatt Lucero was taking in his inaugural rodeo with his mom, Amanda.   “Last year, I was here, but he was in my belly!” exclaimed his excited mama.   These are  a few images I took for the Williamson County Sun.