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Article orginally appeared in June, 2011: I have long felt our common heritage as Americans resides in the life and times of the people in the “Old West”. Arguably rodeo goes back to the early 1700’s when the Spanish ruled the West. So, before you start thinking my family tree was a shrub, understand that I am not talking about THAT Old West. I’m talking about the big push to the West that took place in the 1800’s following the Manifest Destiny and on after the Civil War. You see, I hold that no matter where your ancestors came from, they were involved in that push and ultimately in the forming of the American Cowboy and in fact the American West as we know it in reality and in legend. This is our common ground.
As the Americans from the East made that push to the West they came in contact with the Vaqueros, Cowboys of Spanish decent inMexico,TexasandCalifornia. Those encounters led to the formation of a new breed; the American Cowboy. There really was no model for what the American Cowboy looked like. They adopted many things from the Vaqueros. Typically they were not big men and their ancestry was as diverse as their stories. They were North American, European, African, Asian, Oceanic, and South American. As more people headed West the cattle business exploded and so did the need for the Cowboy. Cattle Barons developed stockyards and huge cattle drives became part of the time. As the cattle were gathered at the stockyards to be shipped by rail back east, the Cowboys that brought them here gathered in the local establishments and encampments. Although they were from different ranches, backgrounds and territories they all possessed similar talents so it only seemed natural to see who was the best at roping, riding, branding, etc. – my Wife says it’s a guy thing.
The first recorded Rodeo inAmericatook place in 1864 inPhoenix,Arizonaand not much has changed to this day although competitors have become more specialized in their approach. Modern Rodeo events are generally broken down into two categories: rough stock events and timed events. The rough stock events are typically Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding and Bull Riding. Now, I can tell you bull riding didn’t come until later and there is little doubt in my mind that the idea started with the words, “Hey ya’ll watch this”, but that’s another story. Rodeo timed events are typically Tie Down Roping (sometimes called Calf Roping), Team Roping, Steer Wrestling (Bull dogging) and Barrel Racing. Many Rodeos add events such as Mutton Busting (Wool Riding for the Kids), Pole Bending, Chute Dogging, Breakaway Roping and Chuck Wagon Races. Steer Wrestling is interesting because it requires a Full Figure Cowboy to jump off of a perfectly good horse doing about 30mph onto a perfectly horned steer weighing 450-600 pounds and traveling at about 28mph. The Cowboy must then bring that steer to the ground with all four feet pointing the same direction. Yet another idea where a $10 hat might have been on a 5 cent head but in reality it is easy to tie most of these events directly to the work on the range.
I’ve been told the early days of Rodeo were dominated by Women. Of course I was told this by a Woman so I don’t know as I believe it. But I can tell you when you watch our modern day Cowgirl hit that cloverleaf pattern in a barrel race, they can sure ride a horse. I’m also seeing more Young Ladies in the Roping Events which is keeping some of the guys a little more focused. I mean really, do you want to go back to your trailer and tell your buddies you just lost to a girl? And yet I see that happen every weekend which I think may be fueling the “Girls Rule – Boys Drool” tee-shirts I’ve been seeing more of lately.
Whether you have little girls or little guys, take your family to a Rodeo in your area. It is a family event, a celebration of our American Heritage and we have some good ones right here inOhio. Like: SbarL Rodeo, Rafter MbarW Rodeo, Broken Horn Rodeo, Buckeye Rodeo, A Bar Rodeo, and the Rolling Stone Rodeo. We also have some great Bulls and Barrels shows inOhiopromoted by these same folks and others like Buckin Ohio, Rafter C Bulls, M&M, Hat Creek, REC Bucking Bulls, Gabriel Cattle, Rockin S and Fox Hollow Rodeo. With any luck we’ll start seeing the ads right hear in your copy of the Horseman’s Corral. Next month we’ll talk about the American Cowboy. Until then, may God bless all the trails you ride.
