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View Full Version : The Stages of Calf Roping

JaredB
10-09-20069th October 2006, 08:12 AM
I thought that since I requested the forum - I could at least get it off the ground.

Living where I do, Rodeo is a VERY popular sport. Most high schools in Idaho have a rodeo program and kids start from a very young age preparing to participate in these events.

It's obviously a dangerous sport and one that does not pay nearly as well as some of the other "professional" sports in the country. So these guys get to risk life and limb on a continual basis and a lot of them have an annual salary that is below what you and I make each year for sure.

The event pictured below is calf roping - which is a definetly a skill and strength event - on of my favorites. It requires great riding, roping, tying and strength. The calf is released from a separate shoot than the horse and rider - the cowboy must lasso the rear legs of the calf, dimount from a moving horse in many cases, throw the calf down and hog tie it as fast as he physically can. The hands are thrown in the air to signify to the timer that he has finished and the clock should be stopped.

Very exciting to watch.............(no animals are hurt in this process - just wanted to point that out.)

The Release:

http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100044/106030/6-9-20050039580.jpg


The Take Down:

http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100044/106030/6-9-20050051959.jpg

Accomplishment:

http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100044/106030/6-9-20050062079.jpg


Please take note in that last shot how the horse is trained to keep the rope tight so that the knot that the cowboy tied does not have a chance to come undone.

These rodeo cowboys are real athletes and they are a pleasure to watch.
Lisa
10-09-20069th October 2006, 08:58 AM
Jared:

These are most excellent! Thank you for posting these. I have watched this in person and can tell you that I am amazed each and every time I see this.

Hope you post more of these. :)
JaredB
10-09-20069th October 2006, 09:38 AM
Jared:

These are most excellent! Thank you for posting these. I have watched this in person and can tell you that I am amazed each and every time I see this.

Hope you post more of these. :)

Thanks Lisa - very kind comments. I am amazed as well - having been around horses most of my life I do have some understaning of how difficult some of these events would be.

I have more rodeo shots and may post more in the future - it is a fun event to shoot. Although you cannot get too close! :eek:

On a side note - Go Bears! 44-14 this week and the Cards are next!
Ann
10-09-20069th October 2006, 09:50 AM
Those are great action shots! Love that second shot. I love going to rodeos. It's always very exciting. But I think my favourite is the mutton busting! LOL
Harv
10-09-20069th October 2006, 10:36 AM
Great stuff, Jared. I really enjoyed these. This is as close as I get to a rodeo.
Jonathan
10-09-20069th October 2006, 10:37 AM
Jared #2 gets my vote. Sounds like a fun time as well! Thanks for requesting the forum btw;)
JaredB
10-09-20069th October 2006, 11:18 AM
Those are great action shots! Love that second shot. I love going to rodeos. It's always very exciting. But I think my favourite is the mutton busting! LOL

Thanks Ann - yes I too have always enjoyed mutton busting as well. You get to see tomorrows rodeo stars just getting their feet wet in the sport.

(For those of you that don't know - mutton busting - involves putting a smaller boy or girl on a runaway sheep and seeing how long they can stay on the animal. Quite humorous to watch and the kids don't fall very far once the battle is over!)

Great stuff, Jared. I really enjoyed these. This is as close as I get to a rodeo.

Thanks Harv - when you say this "is as close as you get to a rodeo" - do you mean looking at my photos or watching a rodeo from the stands?

Jared #2 gets my vote. Sounds like a fun time as well! Thanks for requesting the forum btw;)

Jonathan - rodeos can be a lot of fun to watch - they really can. Most people go for the bull riding - but there are other events that I prefer over that. Thanks for looking.
Kevin
10-09-20069th October 2006, 12:36 PM
Bravo! bravo; You even got a catchlight in #2!! :D
JaredB
10-09-20069th October 2006, 02:14 PM
Bravo! bravo; You even got a catchlight in #2!! :D

I apologize if this is a stupid question - but what is a "catchlight"? Thanks for the comment Kevin.
Kevin
10-09-20069th October 2006, 02:32 PM
I apologize if this is a stupid question - but what is a "catchlight"? Thanks for the comment Kevin.

Not a stupid question, Jared. The catchlight is that little glimmer of light in the animals eye. It's what turns an otherwise flat look into one that's alive. His head was angled just perfectly to reflect the sun and give it some pop.
JaredB
10-09-20069th October 2006, 02:40 PM
Not a stupid question, Jared. The catchlight is that little glimmer of light in the animals eye. It's what turns an otherwise flat look into one that's alive. His head was angled just perfectly to reflect the sun and give it some pop.

Thanks Kevin - that is excellent. My time on the forum today was fruitful as I learned something new about photography - love that! :) I would never have noticed that in the cows eye - but you are very correct.

You have me intrigued on that subject now to look through other photos from the same day and see if that appears in others as well.