In Repose Blog

Rodeo Prayers

Here is a photo of mine that now graces the cover of the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo's magazine called Behind the Chutes.

Most of the cowboys bow their heads before a ride. Usually their words to the higher power are silent, but many know and recite this rodeo prayer:

Our gracious and heavenly Father,
We pause, ever mindful of the blessings you have bestowed upon us.
We ask that you be with us at this rodeo.

As cowboys, Lord, we don't ask for any special favors,
We don't ask to never break a barrier,
Or to draw a round of steer that's hard to throw,
Or around a chute fighting horse,
Or a bull that is impossible to ride.

We ask only that you watch over us,
That you will guide us in the arena of life,
And that when we do make that last inevitable  ride to that special place up there,
where the grass is green and lush and stirrup high,
and the water runs cool, clear, and deep -

That you, as our last judge,
Will tell us that our entry fees have been paid.   

  - Amen.

Voodoo Child, a Big PETA Disappointment

Anyone who knows me at all knows that animals are a great part of my life. I love and respect them, sometimes more than most people think is reasonable.

I could not be a part of a sport, or any activity  that harms animals.

I was not surprised but merely disappointed and dismayed to find out that PETA made an appearance at the gates of the rodeo this year. I wondered how much they really knew about the reality of the sport.

I first started taking photographs of rodeos in 2003 after getting my boots dirty with local amateur events a bit further north where I recorded events as a photographer but I also participated as well. I was on a co-ed team for an entire season of monthly ranch rodeo events. Team X. We came in second at Tamehawk Arena in 2003.

People sometimes think that rodeo animals are abused and tortured. I beg to differ with that blanket assessment. A steer on a cattle ranch destined to your grocery store as a Tbone steak or Mickey D's as your drive through burger has a far greater chance of being misused and abused and being hurt, injured or even killed before becoming your dinner. 10 to 15 percent of ranch animals get seriously hurt or injured, gravely sick or die before they are slaughtered for consumption..

I don't eat mammals, but I don't begrudge you if you do. But please, don't judge rodeo as cruel while you chomp on your roast beef sandwich. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates 1.7103 million cattle and 2.3656 million calves died prior to slaughter in 2002, for a total of just under 4.1 million deaths.

In Rodeo, for the same time period, the PRCA. took this survey: Out of 17,743 animals, (This survey includes the bucking bulls, broncs, roping calves, steers, and all animals used in the events) only 38 showed injuries ( which is .00052 percent).             

Although often looked upon as a 'rough' sport, you can see that it is actually very well regulated. (Especially compare these figures to horse racing, often looked upon as more refined, where an estimated 1/3 of horses are injured.)

Here is a photo of th bucking bull called Voodoo Child a Bulter and Son's bull who has not been ridden in more than 70 attempts. Back in the chutes he leans against the panels and looks into the eyes of the cowboys asking for scratches, pats, rubs and attention. The cowboys are happy to oblige.

Photograph Copyright Candace Craw-Goldman and courtesy of the
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo
Austin, Texas 2008

Voodoo is not unhappy. He is not abused, nor sad, nor mistreated. His every need is taken care of, he gets the very best transportation, nutrition, housing and medical care. He is worth a lot of money to the Butler's. He knows what his job is and he performs his required task of (less than) 8 seconds of bucking per night to a cheering crowd and spends the rest of his existence happier by far, most likely, than the steer that provided the meat for your taco at lunch or the fajita you order at the Mexican cantina on your way home.

So for those of you worried about the welfare of the rough stock at rodeo events, I'll repeat one of the best lines I have heard recently regarding the subject of animal abuse:

"The best way to help animals is to not eat them."

Rodeo? Not so much...

Still Working the Rodeo

Minor amounts of bloodshed so far.

Photograph Copyright Candace Craw-Goldman and courtesy of the
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo
Austin, Texas 2008.

Photograph Copyright Candace Craw-Goldman and courtesy of the
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo
Austin, Texas 2008.

I found myself the one applying pressure to this barrel horse's leg for a minute or two, till the vet could get there. 

He's going to be just fine. (Silly horse tried to JUMP the first barrel, instead of run around it.)

Why is Bull Riding so Popular?

Sixteen-time world champion rodeo cowboy Jim Shoulders was once asked this question by a reporter.  The Oklahoman answered in his dry, wry way:

"It's the same reason people glance off the road to get a better look at a car wreck. It's why the Romans went to the Colosseum to see the lions eat the Christians. People don't want to see somebody die, but they darn sure want to be there when he does."

Photograph Copyright Candace Craw-Goldman and courtesy of the
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo
Austin, Texas 2008.