Tucson Rodeo
by Jane St. Clair

Tucson Rodeo is the biggest time of the year. Schools and businesses close, so everybody can cowboy up and go down to the arena.

The rodeo is decorated with cows, adding to the excitement.

Before the events start, you can buy a cowboy hat and a beer, or just some honky-tonk tourist souvenirs at the booths below the stands.

It costs plenty to get in so our noble cowboys can have a chance at a big purse. A real rodeo cowboy can make upwards of $20,000 here in just one event, but some events are so dangerous that they earn every penny and then some.

Tucson Rodeo has got clowns who pretend to fight bulls and lots of stunt riders …

These cowgirls compete for who can ride around the Coors barrels

and back the fastest.

But the most famous event is the buckin’ bronco. Ride em cowboy!

This event is timed in terms of seconds, as are most Tucson Rodeo events.

R0pin’ is harder than it looks and sometimes that little doggie gets the best of even the most skillful cowboy.

The most dangerous event is bull riding because the bull can come back at you if you fall off.

Here a cowboy went down, and his foot got caught in the stirrup

and he got hurt badly enough

so that they had to get the medics.

But he got a big round of applause for getting up and walking home.

Rodeo is so many things – a time for a cowboy to strut his stuff —

Show his skills at ropin’ and ridin’

And win him some money too.

Everybody’s got some cowboy in them — which is why rodeo will last forever!

Happy Trails to you, and y’all come back next year!