Real Cow Dudes and Gals

On Sunday, we popped in at the Central Rocky Mountain Region competition of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association to have a look see at the University of Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls who were roping, riding and competing in all things rodeo…



The competition took place at the UWYO Hansen Center, which is 2 miles out of town, on the way to Centennial.

The Legal Dude didn’t want to go, neither did the teenager.

They don't want to see animals harmed.

Nor do I, for that matter, but I've never been to a real live, front and center rodeo so the Legal Dude acquiesced.

The teenager, who no longer finds us fitting company to spend time with, adamantly refused to go along.

My camera refused to cooperate, so I have nothing but lousy photos to post...



That guy wearing the hat and yellow shirt reminded me of the young Australian actor, Tom Burlinson, who played alongside Kirk Douglas and Sigrid Thornton in the 1982 movie, “The Man from Snowy River.”


Internet photo

Though without the long Australian overcoat.

There's something about cowboy dudes...



Good thing I'm happily married!



Actually, he was the only dude who stayed still long enough for us to try and get a decent photo. I believe the Legal Dude took this one.

I remember a friend telling me about a wedding she attended two years back in Banner, Wyoming, and how the cow dudes looked so handsome in their hats and boots—to which I can attest from my time here—but once the hats and boots came off, they looked just like every other Tom, Dick and Harry (something I am unable to attest to).

An attempt to catch the bucking horse...



I'm told they cinch a belt around the horse’s middle, which is uncomfortable, thus causing them to buck.

Those cow dudes are required to ride for 8 seconds.

These “Dodge" dudes are always there, for when the rider dismounts from his bucking bronco onto the back of their mount. Then one of the Dodge Boys loosens the strap from the still bucking animal...



We saw a few cowboys tossed against the fence and up and down, and a few of them walked away limping.

I love the posture of this horse, who—as his cowboy matter-of-factly walks away from the poor little roped steer—seems to be looking at the audience as if to say...



Yep, that’s my cowboy folks!

Too bad I couldn’t get a cleaner shot…

Getting ready…



The cowboy on the left in the white hat had a mount who threw a little hissy fit...



This little cow gal is bummed! That loop she’s dragging...



was supposed to be lassoed around a little steer.

No animals were injured.

I’d go back.

Is this so terrible of me?