Rodeo – this is how it all began in 1912: cowboys competing in awe-inspiring events of courage and skill based upon their cowboy lifestyle. I’m watching six major rodeo events: Bareback; Bull Riding; Barrel Racing; Saddle Bronc; Steer Wrestling; and Tie-Down Roping. Each one is a breath-taking display of man and beast, where often the horse or bull is awarded as many points as the rider. With $2 million in prize money to be won, the athletes take the competition pretty seriously. I am fortunate to have the subtleties of rodeo explained to me by a real cowboy: Jim is a Cowboy Hall of Famer who has ridden the broncs to glory in the past and we go behind the scenes to the pens where the riders are released for their 8 seconds of adrenaline rush. As the long evening light fades to twilight, I watch the thrilling Chuckwagon Races, topped off by a rollicking outdoor stage show, “Volte”, and fireworks that light up the Alberta sky.
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