Mountainair Gymkhana Rodeo, Part 1

 

THIS IS PART 1 OF A TWO-PART POST

Background

Looking for a change of pace from landscape photography, my friend, Bruce, and I traveled on five occasions last summer to Mountainair, NM, for some action photography at the Mountainair Gymkhana Rodeo.

Incorporated in 1903, Mountainair is a small town (pop. approximately 880) about 75 miles southeast of Albuquerque.  During World War II it was the center of a farming area that supplied the United States and its military with pinto beans and employed hundreds of people.  The end of the war coincided with a long drought, which effectively ended the industry.  Today Mountainair's primary economy is ranching in the surrounding area.

The Mountainair Gymkhana Rodeo began in the mid-1980s as an after-church Sunday afternoon activity for local ranch kids.  In the early 2000s, the rodeo obtained state funding to build an arena, complete with animal pens and chutes, grandstand seating, and lights.  The rodeo has grown in popularity to the point where the events now begin on Sunday mornings to accommodate the increased number of participants. In 2023, the Rodeo had 75 participants, some from as far as 100 miles away.

Photo courtesy of Mountainair Gymkhana Rodeo

The Rodeo has different events for age and skill levels.  They include 

Lead Line

Sheep Riding

 Calf Riding

 

Steer/Bull Riding

 

Pole Bending

Steer Daubing

Roping Events

In this post, I'll explain and illustrate the first four.  In Part 2, I'll explain and illustrate the remaining three, plus share some other elements of the Rodeo.

                                        - / - / - / - / - / - / -

 

     Lead Line - The very youngest (as young as 1 or 2) sit on horses while their parents, grandparents, and/or siblings lead the horses on a course around the arena.

     Sheep Riding - For young riders old enough to hold on.

 

You can see my friend, Bruce, in the background with his camera.

     Calf Riding - For the next age group above sheep riding . . .

You may notice the rider is a girl.  Girls are eligible to (and do) participate in all Rodeo events.

Some riders barely make it out of the gate . . .

     Steer/bull Riding - For the older kids . . .

. . . with some dramatic dismounts . . .

. . . including this one:

Fortunately he wasn't hurt.  Then you get up, brush yourself off, and wait for your next ride . . .

More to come in Part 2.

In the meantime, if you would like to see these images and more in a larger format, please visit my photography website, Todos Juntos Photography, by clicking here.

Enjoy!