america west

Sketches: Behind the Chutes

Last fall I attended several local rodeos here in New Mexico: the Casper Baca Roughstock Rodeo Fall Series and the Bosque Farms Rodeo Association Fall Rodeo. Both rodeos allowed me up-close access, for which I am grateful. This kind of access allowed for photographs beyond the action in the arena and a glimpse into the focus and preparation involved in rodeo competition.

Recently a short series of behind the scenes images from these rodeos were posted on my Instagram, Facebook, and Flickr feeds but were neglected here. This post rectifies that.

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A young cowboy awaits his 8 seconds on the steer. Bull riding is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.

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Bull and Rider

Bull Prep

A bull rider sits on a bull in the chutes leading to the bucking chute. A sense of familiarity appears to exist for both cowboy and bull.

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A cowboy awaits his ride. There is a lot of time spent waiting for the 8 seconds aboard a bull.

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A cowboy perhaps ponders what could have been after a Bosque Farms Rodeo Association Rodeo, Bosque Farms, New Mexico.

Posted by Brian Miller in Nuevo Mexico, Picture Package, rodeo, Sketches