Yesterday I shot my last rodeo for the year, and as always, I am in awe of the cowboys and cowgirls that participate in the events.

Roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, bull riding or bronc riding, never let anyone tell you that these folks are not athletes. The livestock like this bull has been bred to be the best bull it can be in the ring. The power and agility of these huge beasts is amazing as well.

In this event, the rider needs to stay on the bull for eight seconds in order to obtain a score. I would bet this would be the longest eight seconds of my life. Not that I could even last two :)

The gentleman on the left in the white shirt is a bullfighter. Their job is to keep the rider safe once he is off the bull, This usually entails stepping between the rider who is often on the ground, and an awfully angry bull. The riders rely heavily on the bullfighters for there is always that moment where the rider, especially if thrown off the bull, is vulnerable to getting hurt.

Enjoy the ride!