Dodge City Roundup Rodeo
Several months ago, Harland was invited to photograph Dodge City Days, an annual 10 day festival that includes BBQ contest, street dances, concerts, a wild west show, a cattle drive, a PRCA rodeo, and many other events. The festival ran from July 25 through August 2, but we only attended the last weekend where we saw the cattle drive, the wild west show, and the rodeo.
We’re not huge rodeo fans, but this one was very well done, well-attended, and we ended up having a great time. The best part was that they invited us to photograph from one of those exclusive, (expensive) boxes situated over the chutes, so we were right on top of the action all night.
Here are a few of my shots from the evening:
SUNSET IN THE ARENA
PRAYER BEFORE RIDING THE BULL
GROUP PRAYER BEFORE BULLRIDING
BULL RIDING
WHEN THE RIDER FALLS, THE BULL WILL OFTEN GO AFTER HIM
RODEO CLOWNS PROTECTING A FALLEN RIDER
RODEO CLOWNS PROTECTING A FALLEN RIDER
STEER WRESTLING
PREPARING TO BRONC RIDE
FINDING THE PERFECT GRIP BEFORE BRONC RIDING
LEAVING THE CHUTE
BRONC RIDING
BRONC RIDING
BRONC RIDING
BRONC RIDING
CALF ROPING
TWILIGHT AT THE ARENA
My favorite events were the bull and bronc riding. And I have a new-found admiration for rodeo clowns who stand their ground against raging bulls to protect the riders.
Have you been to a rodeo? What were your favorite events?
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Wow, what incredible pictures. I also enjoyed the one where they were praying (especially in today’s political climate). Anyway, thanks for sharing these great pictures!
Good pictures. You were so close. I like the ones where they take a moment a pray. Thanks for sharing.
Your pictures are amazing! I remember when I was a girl, several times a year there would be rodeos on the property next to our farm. My neighbor and I would spend hours there, watching. I enjoyed the bull and bronc riding too, although the bulls scared me half to death!
I like the bronco riding, barrel racing, and the calf scrambles for the kids. I laughed when I saw Dodge City. When I was in Kansas last fall, I stayed in Dodge City, and the next morning, about ten miles west of town, I found a nice, fresh tumbleweed lodged up against a fence. I put it in the back seat, brought it home, and it’s on top of a cabinet in the bathroom. No gift shops for me!
Your photos are fabulous. What kind of camera and lenses were you using?
Thanks Linda. No gift shops for me either. I always collect rocks or shells or plants too.
I use a Canon EOS 50D with a Sigma 18-200 lens.
Great photographs. I, too, have done rodeo photography but mine were mostly duds.
I took 590 pics and the ones here are the only good ones. Rodeos are hard, keep trying.
Congratulations on those great pictures, Suzanne! Action shots are difficult, but you caught the moments very well! I’m impressed by the ones showing the guys in prayer…they need all the prayer they can get! It’s so dangerous! I’ve been to a couple of rodeos, and seen the riders get hurt!
These are wonderful shots! I love the ones of the bronco riding. I used to watch rodeos when I was in high school and always loved them. I too think the rodeo clowns are underrated. Such brave men. I like the bull riding, bronco riding and barrel racing.