Rodeo Legends: Capturing the True Grit of American Cowboys in the West
The Rodeo Queen carries the American flag around the arena at the start of every rodeo, just before the National Anthem is sung. Women compete for the coveted title throughout the year and act as an ambassador for the sport until the next Queen is crowned.
Breakaway roping is a fast-paced, timed event for cowgirls. She quickly ropes a calves' head with a bell collar catch as her horse simultaneously stops abruptly. When the rope is pulled tight by the opposing forces of the calf and horse, it breaks a small string that attaches the lariat to the saddle horn.
Barrel racers ride horses that can reach high speeds. These cowgirls and their horses take screeching turns around each of the three barrels in the course and then ‘run’ home. The winner is often determined by thousandths of a second.
Pickup men most often ride in pairs of two, one first grabs the bronc rein while the other cowboy rides on the other side of the horse to get ready to release the flank strap. When the rough stock run by the edges of the arena you can hear and see the power and speed of the horses.
If a cowboy rides the full 8-seconds, a buzzer sounds and he is legally allowed to grab onto the horn to hold on.
The tension behind the chutes before a rider sits on his drawn bull is ominous. Some cowboys pace excitedly while others bow their head in prayer before they put on their protective gear to ride.
About the cover: Saddle broncs are bred to buck. The flank strap, which is tightened around the horse or bull’s abdomen encourages them to buck more. It causes no physical harm to the animals and is immediately released on the broncs by the pickup men as soon as the ride is over.
For over 30 years, I have focused on capturing the essence of rodeo life through my camera lens. Steeped in tradition and inspired by the real-life cowboys who worked tirelessly in adverse conditions on ranches, rodeos have evolved into a unique sport that encapsulates the spirit of the American West. It is one of the most dangerous sports athletes compete in, many of the events include unpredictable and incredibly dangerous animals. Rodeo has experienced exponential growth over the last five years, partly because of the popularity of the Yellowstone series and with the advent of The Cowboy Channel, which started airing live rodeos in 2019.
It is an honor to see the western way of life in front of my eyes; photographing rodeos is my way of preserving the historical significance of the sport and lifestyle. While living in Montana, I’ve run my own cows and have helped gather and brand more cows than I can count. It’s a way of life that was once foreign to me, but now is in my soul and moves me back in time.
These cowboys and cowgirls frequently come from families who have run cows on ranches or ridden the rodeo circuit for generations. They often start riding horses before they can walk and talk; it is a way of life and part of their genetic makeup. Being able to capture and bear witness to the tenacity, bravery, and joy that riders experience is one of the most important ways for me to preserve the history that I revere.
The roots of rodeos can be traced back to cowboys who tamed the wild frontiers of the American West, Mexico, and Spain. These skilled horsemen spent their days herding cattle, breaking untamed wild horses, and demonstrating their prowess in various ranch-related tasks. It emerged as a way to break the boredom of ranch life, showcase their talents, compete and celebrate their skills, and foster community. Rodeo spectators are invited to participate in this mythical lifestyle for a few hours, and it is always a wild and unpredictable ride.
Rodeos open with a prayer and our National Anthem. Watching every cowboy and spectator place their hat or hand over their heart is a communal ritual that once was common, and now is a rarity at sporting events. Being surrounded by hundreds of people saying a prayer and singing our National Anthem is moving and it transports you to a simpler place and time; it sets the tone for the rodeo. The moment the last word is sung, the crowd cheers, hats are placed back on heads, and the focus of the crowd moves to the chutes under the announcer’s box.People have often asked what inspires me.
“Roughies,” are cowboys who make their living 8-seconds at a time, are rustling behind the chutes. The bronc riders travel light with their custom-made chaps and supplies all organized in a carry-on rolling bag, along with a one-of-a-kind saddle hoisted over their shoulder as they walk into the arena. The riders are focused, busily fastening their chaps, pouring baby powder in their boots, wrapping old injuries, and mentally preparing for the opportunity to ride 8-seconds atop a wild bucking bronc. The horses are carefully arranged in each chute as the cowboy readies himself for his ride. His friends and the chute boss make certain that he is safe before his ride begins. The tension is palpable. Everyone is keenly aware that no matter how well prepared you are, once the gate opens there is no guarantee that he will walk out.
With the nod of his head, the gate opens, and the horse explodes into the arena. During the following few seconds, his skill, mental focus, and physical aptitude are tested. Although he may know the personalities of the bronc he drew, no ride is ever the same. With nothing but a saddle and a rope to hold onto, the rider must stay centered and balanced, anticipating every move of the bronc. The dangers are real; a mistimed dismount or a moment of hesitation can lead to severe injuries. It is unlike any other sport; it isn’t played with a ball, instead it has a rider pitted against specially bred horses that buck a lot. It is this adrenaline-charged dance with danger that makes bronc riding both exhilarating and awe-inspiring. The story is similar for cowboys who ride bulls, but as a National Cutting Horse Champion friend of mine once told me, “Broncs are dangerous, bulls want to kill you.”
Rodeo is a competition of athletes that ride on the backs of animals that weigh between 900 and 2,200 pounds. Some are bred to be wild, and others have bloodlines that make them fast, but all of them can be very unpredictable. The ropers, wrestlers, and barrel racers ride quick and agile horses that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Steer wrestlers and ropers sit on the backs of their incredibly trained horses inside the roping box, preparing to race against the clock. The anticipation is intense: adrenaline is racing through the veins of both horse and rider. The horse literally jumps at the start, hoping not to break the barrier. The cowboy or cowgirl can’t have the neck of the horse hit the rope that closes the box before the chute door opens for the steer. It takes countless hours of training for a horse and rider to compete well together. Roping and wrestling are timed events. Barrel racers ride horses that almost fly through the arena and turn on a dime around barrels. It’s like racing a Bugatti. Running into the arena at a full gallop and racing around three barrels always makes the crowds cheer!
Cowboys ride in rodeos not merely for fame and fortune, but for the love of the sport, the history of their families, and the unyielding passion for horsemanship. It's a calling that runs deep in their veins, as they strive to test their skill, strength, agility, and mental fortitude against the untamed spirit of broncs, steers, and bulls. The adrenaline rush and the sense of accomplishment they experience while riding these magnificent beasts drives them to push the boundaries of their abilities. When cowboys get hurt, they often ignore the doctor’s advice to take time off from the circuit, often riding with severe injuries.
The western way of life is far from glamorous. It's a rugged and demanding lifestyle that requires resilience, discipline, and unwavering determination. On the rodeo circuit, competitors form a close-knit community, bonded by their shared passion and the challenges they face. Often competitors will ride in a rodeo, pack their rolling bags or horses immediately after their ride, and head on down the road to the next rodeo with two or three of their friends in the same pickup. Driving sixteen hours through the night to the next competition is common, sleeping isn’t. Despite being rivals in the arena, there is a powerful camaraderie among them, where the spirit of sportsmanship prevails, and lifelong friendships are forged.
Each and every time a crowd hears the announcer say, “All this cowboy is going home with tonight is your applause!” the people cheer and the fallen cowboy walks through the dirt in the arena towards the chutes, knowing that he will have another go at it at the next rodeo.
Life Captured
Melanie Maganias Captures the True Grit of America
Melanie is innately curious, and photography is her lifelong passion. She loves capturing the essence of her subject matter, at rodeos, in editorial assignments, at weddings and in portraits, by following her intuition and using her camera as a tool to depict her vision. Nashan Photographers is her photography company, and you can browse her entire portfolio at her website listed below.
Melanie lived in Dunedin, Florida, between the ages of 13 and 21, where her family moved from Jersey City, New Jersey. Her parents built their first roller skating rink in Tarpon Springs, “Astro Skating Center,” when Melanie was 16, where she worked until graduating high school and leaving for college. Her brother took over running the family business and now owns eight roller rinks across the state, the newest one is located in Palm Beach.
Melanie moved to Montana in 1991 and has been there ever since. During that time, she ran a small heard of cows for over a decade and has been doing branding and cattle gatherings for friends for over 25 years. She has lived up a dirt road that winds through a ranch where she first started riding horses and was welcomed to brandings. She’s shot a few stories on ranching life and has written one. From ranching to weddings, and everything in between, Melanie’s passion for capturing life through her lens, is in her soul.
Named one of America's top 15 wedding photographers by PDN, her work has been featured in Garden & Gun, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Forbes, BSJ, Real Simple Weddings, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, along with so many other publications. She resides in Montana, has run her own cattle, and loves the lifestyle that embodies the spirit of the Wild West.
Rodeo prints for sale: NashanPhotographers.pixieset.com/artistprints/
Be sure to check out Melanie’s entire portfolio at Nashan.com and follow her on Instagram, @melaniemaganias. She can be reached at (406) 580-6866 or via email at nashan@nashan.com.
Written and photography by Melanie Maganias