This blog post is 18th in the “Travel Destinations in the USA for Seniors 60+” Series – This destination starts with the letter R. This destination is about rodeos. One of the best places to see a real, live rodeo is in Denver, Colorado.
Where it All Began
In the 19th Century and even before that, the Wild, Wild, West was..well…wild. Life was rough, men needed vital skills to survive. therefore, capturing & taming wild horses, wrestling steers and riding the bulls were all a part of survival.
The tradition of Vaqueros or cowboys showing off their working skills in competitions started in Spain and spread to Central America, South America, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Mexico. Today the Wild West is kinda tame; showmanship has taken over, and they use machinery extensively. But the skills and competitions linger on keeping old traditions and the Western way of life alive…
Rodeo in Denver
Every year events like the National Western Stock Show brings back the excitement of the rodeo. It is a place for cowboys and cowgirls to show off their skills. The annual event held in January in Denver, Colorado attracts livestock and agriculture farmers from all over. There are Rodeos, Livestock shows, a place where farmers exchange notes, and views and learn new agricultural techniques. Breeders consider the rodeo an important event. More than 600,000 people attend the 16 days of events.
Rodeo events move through Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Texas and other western states throughout the Rodeo season.
Some Thoughts on Rodeos and Animals
Some may say it is animal cruelty. A lot of animal rights associations say it is. But rodeo organizers and attendees say that it’s a way to keep agriculture and farming in focus…as a result, it keeps traditions alive.
The jury is out…
I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z
That’s a very unique post, never read this before. Looks like animal cruelty but not sure of the agricultural point in it. Only experts can comment on it. Well written.
What the pictures!! This was engaging. Enjoyed reading!!
Thanks so much for dropping in!
This was definitely an interesting read. Your pictures speak volumes. My heart says it is Animal cruelty.
Yes, you may be right. There are so many factors, like I said the jury is definitely out on this one!
I’ve read about rodeos on books. But these pictures from real time make it more interesting
#tmmreads #myfriendalexa
Thank you Sindhu, you are very encouraging!
Your pictures make the Rodeos more interesting. Though I have read about them earlier, the cruelty on the animals is coming through clearly in your pics
I dont know what to think when i see it actually. Definitely a question mark over it…
Beautiful pictures and also I can see animal cruelty. Beautifully written & no words to say but your post is really unique & I love reading unique & fresh content.
thank you for your words of encouragement!
Lovely pictures Brindha, It’s always been a debatable topic. Even Jallikattu.
Yes the debate is endless isnt it?!
This is somthing new
Never heard it before
Well executed post
i guess not everyone goes to a rodeo, its more for people who love horses…
It’s interesting to know the westernized version of Jallikattu and it’s fascinating to note that it’s also held during January..
A very appealing visual tour!
yes it is interesting, but no religion is involved at all in the rodeo. The final is held in Las Vegas
It’s not easy to train animals ..I just loved the way you have shared all details
Thanks Ruchie. Yes, only a person who loves them can train them for sure.
Nice and thought provoking post 🙂
There will always be different perspectives and I think the times define which perspective wins. I enjoyed the way you have structured the content of your post – found it innovative. An enjoyable post 🙂
Thanks Narinder and you are so right, times change and perspectives with it!
Have read and heard about this cruel sport many times in the news headlines. how very sad. In the name of tradition we hurt innocent lives, and this is a case of each and every community. Glad you wrote about this. #MyFriendAlexa #gleefulreads
I dont think they hurt the animals. But whether its okay to cage them and use them in this way?
after reading you post i’ve visualized the Rodeo with new eyes and i can see the animal cruelty clearly in the pictures.
I dont think they hurt the horses especially. They are working animals, as is the sheep.
I admit I had no clue about this and your post buddy had undoubtedly left me an ounce more enriched about the world. Thank you so much
thanks roma! happy to have been of some help!
This was so interesting. And, yeah, I strongly feel it is animal cruelty. They can call it tradition or helpful to agriculture but my heart doesn’t buy that logic.
Time and perspectives change. values are different for different people, you realise that when you travel.
A very interesting post. But it is difficult to decide if it can be called animal cruelty. If we are to be concerned about cruelty hens are killed for eating chicken, pigs for pork, just about everything can be labelled cruelty.
Thanks for throwing light on these event, we often forget this early.
#millennialscribbler
#myfriendalexa
Thank you for dropping by!
You are so right, perspective decides whether it is cruelty or not.
Animal cruelty is still a endless debatable topic, if this cruelty is to increase agricultural/farming focus, I must say time to change the mindset first. Pics are so heartbreaking.Thanks Brindha ji for putting the light on the western version of jallikattu.
did not mean to show it as cruel, just as different from what we do. They are actually careful with the animals.
such things often go unnoticed, well brought up
Thanks Pooja!
Well these kind of debates are never ending. It’s more about perspective. Meanwhile enjoyed your post and great pictures!
Your pictures take me to the old Hollywood movies where such get-togethers were a hype. Animal cruelty or not, the question hides behind man’s blind power. Nice article:)
Thanks aditi! I too loved “westerns” as a kid!
Wonderful pictures and capture of Rodeo. A similar event in Tamil nadu caught eyes of media some years back it’s called Jallikatu. Even at that time I was of divided opinion. Can’t really say it’s animal cruelty
Wonderful pictures and capture of Rodeo. A similar event in Tamil nadu caught eyes of media some years back it’s called Jallikatu. Even at that time I was of divided opinion. Can’t really say it’s animal cruelty #damurureads #myfriendalexa damurucreations.com
Yes any animal training is debatable isn’t it?
Tamil Nadu, India also has a culture similar to this…I am also doubtful as to whether it is culture or animal cruelty…
Yes it is highly debatable!
Very few have actually stood up and spoken about this sensitive topic I’m too not much in favour of such culture as it is more on the lines of animal cruelty
They do try to be as careful as possible with animals today, but of course we don’t need to use them in this way too…
This is something really unique and never heard before. Some of the facts given above are really surprising. Nice one though
Thanks! So much going on in the world!
This is something new and unique info for me, I had never heard about it. you had shared great detail about Rodeo event with great pictures. thanks for sharing different info. #Surbhireads #Myfriendalexa
Happy you liked it Doc! Your words are so encouraging!
o wooww.. super. Never saw so much about Rodeo. great clicks
Thanks misha!
Wow, i have seen these dangerous sports in Hollywood movies , don’t know it’s good or bad , buy my inner voice says it’s cruelty, humans are using animals for the entertainment and enjoyment, though the topic is debatable
This topic is hotly debated for sure, the trainers and participants do try to be safe and as kind as possible
Though i have seen these sports in some ways in media but didn’t know much about them; but lives are in danger & for me it’s cruelty
They are very careful with both animals and the people who participate and make sure both are taken care of as much as possible.
They are not as cruel as we may expect, some animals like the horses are valued highly and cared for.
I am not sure how these animals are kept and are they handled responsibly or not. But thinking about th tradition part they should continue it but animal should be handled carefully.
They do handle the animals with a lot of care, many are working animals after all
Oh wow! Unlike other traditional and non-traditional activities involving animals, Rodeo is very considerate towards the animals. I loved the pictures and the way you have brought out how this vent is carried out!
They do try, though everyone may not agree with this – the jury is definitely out!
very interesting post, the world is full of amazing traditions and rituals
Nice action pictures.